Gibberfish, Inc./Gibberfish User Documentation

PASSPHRASES

TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION

Once you’ve changed your passphrase, we also strongly encourage you to enable Two-Factor authentication (“2FA”). This involves installing an app on your mobile device that generates a unique 6-digit code you must enter each time you log in. For someone to hack your account, they would need to know your passphrase and physically possess your phone. This combination keeps you more secure. Because Gibberfish is part of the Nextcloud ecosystem, you can use the Nextcloud 2FA app. This app supports FreeOTP, which can be downloaded in the app store for Android and iOS devices.

KEY VAULTS

If you’re not already in the habit of doing so, it would be a good idea to store your passphrases in a key vault like KeePass. Key vaults make it easy to securely remember all your passphrases. You will need to lock your key vault itself with a Diceware generated passphrase. In addition, we strongly recommend you enable full-disk encryption on the device storing your key vault. 

DIGITAL HYGIENE

Good Digital Hygiene is the consistent use of robust security practices. 

THREATS

Understanding the threats you and your group will encounter is an important step in establishing a useful security strategy. The goal is to use only the techniques necessary to protect against your likely adversaries. This will prevent your security regime from becoming so burdensome that you stop using it. Your administrator may have already created a Threat Model describing the security challenges you and your group may expect. If you are unsure, please contact them and ask. 

EXISTING COMMUNICATIONS

It is likely that you are adding Gibberfish to a variety of existing accounts and services associated with your online activities. These older accounts and services may already be compromised. We recommend using fresh accounts for any activity that involves your Gibberfish server, the content stored there, or the activities associated with it. 

We recognize that this is not always convenient or appropriate for every user. In this case, please take the time to re-secure any account or service you intend to use for private activities. Change your passphrases in order to lock-out unauthorized users who may have gained access without your knowledge. Wherever possible, enable two-factor authorization. Check for software updates for all your devices, including your phone, and install them.

The Nextcloud “Talk” app allows you to create and join video calls in your web browser. For best performance on mobile devices, we recommend that you install and use the “Nextcloud Talk” mobile app, which is available from iTunes, Google Play, and F-Droid.

The chat system uses the standard XMPP protocol, which will allow you to chat not only with fellow Gibberfish users, but also with anyone else in the world using an XMPP server. Your XMPP address is <your username>@<your gibberfish server>. For example,

For more extensive documentation of the core features, please refer to the Nextcloud User Manual, which is also located in your Gibberfish home folder.

FINAL NOTES