Hackers are trained to be resourceful and opportunistic in their quest for choosing there victims, even to the point of going through your private messages. If you’re not aware yet, the exchange of information happening on these messaging apps is a gold mine for personal information, which can be used against you, either through identity theft or used for fraud. So you’re probably wondering if the app you’re currently using is safe and can protect you from the risk of data breaches? Are the messages encrypted?
Here’s a list of the most popular apps to help you decide which of them are worth keeping for your peace of mind.
Messenger
One of the most popular messaging apps, messenger, unfortunately doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption by default, but you can always switch to a “secret” option with end-to-end encryption. These messages wont end up on your inbox.
Hangouts
Messages sent here is known to only deleted messages from your history, but they are still kept on the company’s servers.
Telegram
Telegram offers end-to-end encryption not by default but through switching to “secret chats”.
iMessage
End-to-end encryption only works between iMessage users, but not for messages sent from android to iphone. If you use iCloud for back up purposes, iMessages are included by default. Ensure to toggle off those messages in settings so they aren’t stored on Apple servers.
Signal
It has garnered praised by security experts for its security with surge in popularity since Donald Trump was elected. To help ensure that the messages are sent to the right person, Signal allows users to verify and counter check their identities.
It could be interesting to know that whatsapp’s end-to-end encryption was actually built in collaboration with the team that created Signal. All messages, voice and video calls sent over WhatsApp are sent with end-to-end encryption by default. And if you want to take it further, WhatsApp also has a feature for users to verify their identities.
Confide
All messages are end-to-end encrypted, as claimed by the website. They also disappear after they’re read.
Skype
Being the granny of all messaging apps, Skype has to keep up with the privacy feature of the younger ones. Skype doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption on their messages and voice calls.
Snapchat
Snapchat’s traffic has tremendously increase over the past year. However, messages are not encrypted.
Text messages (SMS)
Regular text messages can be used in court to sort out legal matters. In that case, text messages are not meant to be encrypted.
Final Thoughts
While you can choose the app that can secure your data and be extra careful with the messages you share online, it is still best to invest on a layer of protection to protect your privacy. Connecting to a VPN server is still the best approach to encrypt all of your traffic including your messages.
Do you value your privacy online?
Use VPN Surf and surf safely and securely in the open waters of the internet.
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