Private Messages Enhancements - PMCrypt - Private Message Encryption

Keywords: Private, Message, PM, Encrypt, Encode, Security

Description:
Encrypts Private Messages within the MySQL database. Allows for on-the-fly decryption without the need for a shared key.


Details:
This hack will encrypt sent messages within your MySQL database. No longer will they be viewable in plaintext, thus affording your members a little more security with their private correspondance.

Please be aware that this is not a total security solution. This was devised with simplicity as well as security in mind -- such as that the encryption method used is NOT to be assumed "unbreakable" by any stretch of the imagination.

The messages are encrypted using a method developed and credited to AITOR SOLOZABAL MERIN by where text is encrypted/decrypted using a simple but powerful XOR method without a known key. Implicitly, the key is defined by the string itself in a character by character way. There are 4 items to compose the unknown key for the character in the algorithim:

1. The ascii code of every character of the string itself
2. The position in the string of the character to encrypt
3. The length of the string that include the character
4. Any special formula added by the programmer to the algorithm to calculate the key to use

This product does not explicitly rely on any vBulletin functions, thus there should not be any problems with future upgrades, etc.

This product was developed by request of FGENETICS and DOOGIE88.


Installation:
1. Download and import the product-pmcrypt1.1.0.xml file via the Product Manager.

2. Enable the product via the AdminCP (vBulletin Options > Private Message Encryption)

3. ???

4. Profit


Version History:
v1.0.0 - Initial Release
v1.0.1 - Fixed bug when replying to an encrypted message.
v1.1.0 - Fixed issue with reply and preview. Encapsulated encryption within base64_encode(); for storage. Smilies no longer run risk of breaking encryption.

* Once enabled, all PM's sent thereafter will be encrypted. This means that should you choose to disable and/or uninstall the product, said PM's will remain encrypted -- rendering them unreadable.

* Please note that this modification was developed on a forum with a userbase of 1 (myself). I've tested it for basic functionality but I cannot guarantee functionality or behavior on your forum. So, please -- make backups before installing this product!

[magnus]

Ok, [high]v1.1.0[/high] is available for download. This fixes all bugs listed so far:

• PM's, replies and previews are working.
• Smilies no longer have a chance of breaking encryption
• Encrypted text is now encapsulated within base64_encode(); to allow for proper storage within MySQL database

*** Please note that messages encrypted with v1.0.0 - v1.0.1 will NOT be viewable with v1.1.0. The was an unfortunate but necessary change that needed to be made. I would suggest deleting all previously encrypted PM's before upgrading. ***


Enjoy!

[magnus]

Originally Posted by valdet

what about when a PM has an attachment.

vBulletin does not natively support attachments within Private Messages. Currently, the only way to achieve this result is via modification.

I develop my hacks to work on a default vBulletin installation and I cannot make any assurances as to their functionality alongside other hacks.

That being said, PMCrypt encrypts only the $pm['message'] variable. I'd imagine the Private Messages Attachments modification stores the attachments within the default attachments table, which remains unaffected by PMCrypt.

[tansu]

Nice one, but how will user understand the encryption?

[magnus]

The user doesn't need to understand anything other than his or her Private Messages are no longer stored in plaintext within the MySQL database. This modification does not require any user interaction whatsoever.

[tansu]

Originally Posted by magnus

his or her Private Messages are no longer stored in plaintext within the MySQL database.

OK, what I wanted to ask, how will they understand this?
Maybe a sign around the pm editor would be nice. "This message is encrypted" or something like that.
Because if you are a user who is suspicious about if admins are reading my pm's, my word of "your messages are encrypted" wont be enough..
Or I am completely misunderstanding somethings..

[magnus]

Hrm, I see what you're saying. That's not a bad idea, I'll work up something visual for the end user.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[TTG]

This could be more useful if it could be used per usergroup rather than all PM's

[Mr.T]

Hi i have a Problem ... The Hack works fine but :

I see them with Already answered Message for the second time it is answered in the Quot only the encoded text.

Sorry for my bad Englisch but I'm a German ^^

THX

[UltimateOreo!]

Do private messages even need an encryption? As far as i know, it is not possible to "steal" or even intercept private messages. Anyway, good idea as far as peace of mind goes.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Mr.T

Hi i have a Problem ... The Hack works fine but :

I see them with Already answered Message for the second time it is answered in the Quot only the encoded text.

Sorry for my bad Englisch but I'm a German ^^

THX

I'm sorry, but I can't quite figure out what you're trying to describe. Would it be possible for you to take a screenshot of the problem?