Abstract

Decentralized messaging systems are increasingly criticized for vulnerabilities to surveillance, censorship, and service disruption. This work proposes Gork, a decentralized messaging system that blends a peer-to-peer infrastructure with an extended double-ratchet algorithm and post-quantum key exchange algorithms for offering end-to-end encryption, forward secrecy, and post-compromise security. The system combats traditional risks of eavesdropping, replay attacks, and man-in-the-middle incursions. Prototype performance testing reports an average message latency of 180ms and encryption overhead of less than 5 percent, illustrating real-world feasibility for deployment. Gork unites theoretical secure messaging protocols with viable system implementation, providing a scalable and privacy-first alternative to centralized platforms.