Features of our Chat server
Chat with XMPP and Jabber at mailbox
All mailbox users starting with the Standard plan can use our secure chat server.
In addition to TLS encryption based on the latest state of the art, it also offers modern security features such as DANE / TLSA and is regularly tested for security through tools like the IM Repository TLS Test.
mailbox operates its own XMPP server with strong SSL/TLS encryption, which is available under your respective account name (identical to your primary mail address). You are automatically enabled and can use this service at any time – also in connection with your own domain.
Users on the Light plan should consider an upgrade to use this feature.
Figure 1: The XMPP web chat, colloquially still often called “Jabber,” allows free, secure, and private instant messaging with **mailbox**.
What is XMPP?
XMPP, also known under the name Jabber (named after a popular client), is a chat system for instant messaging, similar to Facebook Messenger, Signal, Threema, or Telegram.
The major advantage of XMPP over most other chat systems is that the software of many chat programs (clients), the entire XMPP protocol, as well as the servers are available as open-source software and operate in a decentralized manner.
As a user, you are therefore not dependent on a central provider or the owner of the software. On the contrary: since the XMPP standard is open, you can freely decide at any time which provider you trust by using their server.
With the appropriate know-how, it is even possible to operate your own Jabber server. The Jabber servers of different providers are interconnected.
This allows you as a user of one provider to also communicate with users on the servers of other providers. A Jabber message is delivered to the respective server in a similar way to a mail – but usually much faster and closer to true real-time communication (instant messaging).
XMPP clients display the list of your own communication partners. If you add a user and receive the corresponding approval, you can always see who is currently online and communicate directly.
Note: Jabber can offer far more than just text chats – for example file exchange or group chats.
Features of the mailbox XMPP server
- Service Discovery (XEP-0030)
- Carbons (XEP-0280)
- Client State Indication (XEP-0352)
- Stream Management (XEP-0198)
- Push Notifications (XEP-0357)
- Blocking (XEP-0191)
- Multi-User Chat (XEP-0045)
- Message Archive Management (XEP-0313)
- HTTP File Upload (XEP-0363)
- SOCKS5 Bytestreams (XEP-0065)
- File transfer proxy: proxy.mailbox.org, Port: 5000
- Tor hidden service address: kqiafglit242fygz.onion
Message Archive Management (XEP-0313) is supported with a retention period of 7 days. Group chats are not logged by default; this can be configured per room in the Jabber client.
HTTP File Upload (XEP-0363) is enabled to share images in Jabber conference rooms.
- Maximum file size: 10 MB
- Shared images are deleted from the server after 1 hour
Attention: Most Jabber clients store images unencrypted on our server. Please check your client’s settings before using this feature.
Support
Due to the large number of possible clients and configurations, mailbox unfortunately cannot provide support for XMPP or Jabber issues. In most cases, the problems are caused by the software in use; switching to a different client usually resolves the issue. For questions regarding usage or technical details of the clients, please refer to your Jabber client’s support forum.
