Security-oriented platforms are very common these days, but most lack very basic and simple things that cause their downfall. Umbra has attempted a fix to these myriad issues and has created one of the most secure message sending and transaction sending platforms in the world, perhaps even beyond the popular coin Monero.
Umbra, at its most basic state, is a message sending and coin wallet that allows private and public chats, as well as private and public transactions, to be sent. Other features were later stacked on top of these basic features and created a platform that you now know today as Umbra. The main goal of Umbra (and the Shadow Project, which it is based off of) was to create a free and open-source platform that allowed everyone to exercise their human rights to privacy, commerce ,and communication.
The first and perhaps most interesting feature of Umbra is their very convenient and private messaging platform. One large security flaw similar platforms have is that they reveal or hide your IP on the platform somewhere where it is thought to be 'safe'- until you get DDOS-ed or attacked online. Umbra has strived to create the most secure platform possible, with their journey in mind, and have built their nodes to not reveal your IP to the next node. This makes both the receiver and sender of a message almost completely anonymous, and Umbra's messaging platform even lets you stack on additional security measures like L2P and Tor on, which makes you nearly completely anonymous.
Messsaging
In addition to the myriad security features Umbra has, they haven't skimped on the messaging part of the platform! Channels are available for messaging, and they come in two flavors- private and public, of which the latter anyone can join in. Umbra is perfect for collaboration or any project you wish to do in secret, or just for chatting! Umbra's also implemented Direct Messages on their platform- you can send messages to nearly anyone directly, and they can message you directly as well.
Next is Shadowcash system that Umbra is most proud of- the team working on Umbra have created something nearly invisible to most people, but yet is nearly completely flawless and can be used by anyone, anywhere. This part of the Umbra platform features ring signatures (also used in Monero) and dual-key stealth addresses, enabling users to send nearly completely anonymous messages to each other. The blockchain reaches consensus by using 2% PoS- you get 2% of your SDC back each year by staking it. By not creating a system where a coin is flooded with more coins, inflation is kept to a minimum and prices will generally rise instead of falling, which makes Umbra a potentially good platform to invest in!
Umbra has also tried to make a marketplace system that, while it is still under development, has received media coverage from many large cryptocurrency websites and will revolutionize crypto currencies by creating an inter-dependent, decentralized ecosystem that will revolutionize the way people privately & securely purchase goods and services online.
Umbra is a new but very well-made platform that has lots of dedication behind it and has a very great cause- freedom of speech and human rights, among many things. The privacy and messaging features in it makes it a very good choice if you wish to plan something out in private, and its ShadowCash system lets you purchase and trade almost anything, although their market platform is not completely finished.