If you're constantly thinking about the privacy of your instant messaging chat history on Facebook Chat, WhatsApp, or even the off-the-record setting in Google chat, then it's time to look for a more secure messaging platforms.

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), an international non-profit digital rights group based in the United States, examined 39 messaging services such as Apple, Facebook, and Yahoo (text messaging apps, voice/video call tool, email apps, and chat clients), and found out that only six passed the security test.

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EFF used seven possible questions affecting the privacy of the messaging app: is data encrypted in transit; is it encrypted so the provider can't read it; can the service verify contacts' identities; are past communications secure if keys are stolen; is the code open to independent review; is security design properly documented and has the code been audited?

Cryptocat, ChatSecure + Orbot, RedPhone, TextSecure, Silent Phone, and Silent Text are the only messaging services able match all the EFF's questions.

ChatSecure is used for securing chats over iPhones and Android phones. It can be merged with Orbot, which is a free proxy app that uses Tor. Cryptocat is a free chat program that works in famous web browsers and on iPhones, too.

Silent Phone secures the voice and video calls on mobile devices, available in both Android and iOS devices. Silent Text can help protecg text messaging and secure cloud content transfer with "burn notice" feature for permanently deleting messages from devices. These apps come free but using them comes with a US$9.95 monthly subscription.

TextSecure sends secure texts via Android devices. RedPhone is an Android app the secures smartphone calls.

"In the face of widespread Internet surveillance, we need a secure and practical means of talking to each other from our phones and computers. Many companies offer 'secure messaging' products-but are these systems actually secure?" EFF said.

EFF's evaluation of messaging apps is part of its new campaign to create technologies that are "strongly secure and also simple to use."

The foundation will continue to update the scorecard and include future changes.

TagsElectronic Frontier Foundation, messaging services, messaging app, Cryptocat, ChatSecure, Orbot, RedPhone, TextSecure, Silent Phone, Silent Text