8 Essential Things To Know About Encrypted Messaging Apps
Easy and instant communication facilitated by the internet has undoubtedly made our lives easier. There are several messaging apps that have made texting, voice-and-video calling faster and cheaper. However, security might not be one of the major strong points of such apps, and without strong encryption, you’ll be sitting ducks for hackers and other malicious agents on the web. Switching to encrypted messaging apps can go a long way in keeping your communication secure and can save you from a lot of distress. If you have queries pertaining to how encrypted messaging apps function and which are the best ones in the market, read on to find out more.
What are encrypted messaging apps?
Encrypted messaging apps are applications designed to allow users to communicate securely across the platform. Most private messaging apps still allow the company’s servers to save a copy of your messages, which means that in case of a successful hack, your information will be accessed and there are chances that these can be republished online. Encrypted messaging apps make use of a secure technology to ensure that the message reaches the intended correspondent only, and in case, a third party intercepts it, they’ll find nothing but a coded message that wouldn’t make any sense to them.
How do encrypted messaging apps work?
Texting without an encrypted messaging app is a recipe for disaster. End-to-end encryption guarantees secure communication, which cannot be intercepted by malicious third parties. When you are using an encrypted messaging app, a private and a public key are generated. The private key never leaves the phone, while the public key is stored on a server, which is available to those who send you messages. So, if someone is texting you, the public key is retrieved and used to encrypt the message in such a manner that only your private key can decrypt it. Then this encrypted file is sent through the server and it reaches you, and your private key is used to decrypt the message successfully. This way, only those people engaged in the communication can read the message and no one can hack it.
Are encrypted messaging apps safe?
Encrypted messaging apps are the safest messaging mediums you’ll find. These apps encrypt your messages and can be read-only by the person it is intended for. These messaging apps are more secure than SMS since the messages aren’t encrypted and can be viewed by mobile carriers and the government, and can be hacked by any semi-skilled hacker. On the other hand, encrypted messaging apps are built in a manner such that they collect as little metadata as possible.
Are encrypted messaging apps free?
Most popular encrypted messaging apps like Signal, WhatsApp, Silence, Silent Phone, Telegram, Cyphr, and Wire are completely free of cost. You can download these from Android’s Play Store or Apple’s App Store completely free of cost.
Which are the best encrypted messaging apps for iPhone?
Almost every encrypted messaging app is compatible with an iPhone. The best encrypted messaging apps for iPhone are:
- Signal: Signal is hands-down the best encrypted messaging app on your iPhone’s App Store. Developed by Open Whisper Systems, Signal is the go-to encrypted app that will put an end to your security concerns. It is robust and easy-to-use and is a regularly audited app. It doesn’t compromise on its security features to make it more user-friendly.
- Silent Phone: Silent Phone is compatible with iPhone and Android as well. It encrypts video and voice calls and even provides encrypted, self-destructing messaging and file transfers. Moreover, the encryption keys are held by subscribers and not the app.
- Cyphr: With Cyphr, Golden Frog, the maker of the popular Vypr VPN service, made its debut in the encrypted messaging field. It provides end-to-end encryption with only a minimal amount of metadata stored in Cyphr’s servers and is stored only until your message is received.
- Wire: Wire is compatible with Android phones and iPhones as well. It features end-to-end encryption for text, voice, and video calls. Furthermore, it supports GIFs, audio and video clips, and sketches. The app’s security is extended to local and Dropbox file sharing.
- Dust: Dust, formerly known as Cyber Dust, is a popular encrypted messaging app that is equipped with a number of security and encryption features to help users maintain their privacy.
Which are the best encrypted messaging apps for Android?
Almost all encrypted messaging apps are compatible with Android. The best encrypted messaging apps for Android are:
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp is one of the best encrypted messaging apps. It is equipped with a strong end-to-end encryption protocol developed by none other than Signal.
- Wickr Me: Wickr Me is a powerful encryption app that allows its users to send private, self-destructing messages—text, photo, video, and voice—to other Wickr users. The app takes security measures seriously and allows users to configure how long it takes for the message to expire.
- Viber: Viber is a leading encrypted messaging app that has been around for quite some time now. Its latest feature is the use of a color-coded lock icon, which shows the user how secure the conversation is.
- Voxer: Voxer is one of those encrypted messaging apps that lays emphasis on a more voice-oriented approach than other apps. It allows the user to send messages that are similar to a walkie-talkie or push-to-talk device. It is a free app, but its premium feature unlocks a slew of interesting features.
- Silent Phone: Silent Phone is an encrypted messaging app that focuses on keeping your messages safe, and uses encryption over the air and on your phone. It has a simple and user-friendly interface, and you can send encrypted SMS messages without any hassles.
Do encrypted messaging apps use data?
Encrypted messaging apps do not store all your data like regular service providers do. Whatever small amount of metadata gets stored on the encrypted messaging app’s server is also deleted when the message reaches the recipient.
Are encrypted messaging apps worth it?
Encrypted messaging apps are an incredible way of keeping your communication secure and protecting it from malicious third parties. There are several free encrypted messaging apps that are as good as the paid ones and offer advanced features to protect your data. Moreover, these apps are known to do a commendable job of protecting your private communications from those snooping around to find a chink in the armor.
