You might remember the adventure of the encrypted email service Lavabit. If you're not one to withhold facts, then let's recall that the company in question was shut down under pressure from the NSA to hand over its encryption keys.
Lavabit, for the record, was a secure email service that Edward Snowden was supposedly using. After its shutdown, there were reports that it would partner with Silent Circle to create a new secure email service. The time has come as it was announced today that the first beta version of the Lavaboom will be ready this week.
Lavaboom is a new company from Germany that aims to provide a secure email service.
Unlike Lavabit, which was a paid service, Lavaboom offers a free 500 MB mailbox, protected with draconian security measures. There is of course additional storage space for those who wish, for a fee of course. The company accepts payments with Paypal, Bitcoin or even cash. The first option is not so reliable for security, while the Bitcoin payment option offers complete anonymity. Cash can be sent by mail to the Lavaboom office.
The new company offers end-to-end encryption, and wants to make it so simple that its users don't need to do any loops to stay secure.
As the company states, it will not only offer two-factor authentication like most email systems, but rather implements its own different system.
“In addition to key-pair and password, we can send you a random code, or you can use the OTP feature of a YubiKey. Or both. We recommend using the YubiKey,” the website states.
Considering the fact that Lavaboom was founded and operates in Germany, there's a good chance it's a secure service and free from NSA interference. At the very least, the US Secret Service won't be able to demand the company reveal its SSL keys.
