Use Secure and Encrypted Messaging

Many people assume having a private conversation discussing confidential business or personal information using a messaging service is private but more often than not this is not the case.

Unless you're using an encrypted messaging app with end-to-end encryption enabled nobody else can see your conversations unless they have a private key to decrypt your message. This includes your message service provider, hackers, corporations using your message content to serve you ads and government surveillance agencies.

You can enhance your security further by connecting using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to prevent your location and other identity related data from being leaked and logged.

There are many messaging apps available offering end-to-end encryption with all kinds of additional features but not all of them are as secure as they claim.

It's safer to use open source software that has been independently examined and audited for errors and to ensure that it isn't doing something it shouldn't be. With closed source software there is no way to know for sure what the code is really doing, what data is being kept, or who this data is available to, or sold to.

If your existing app offers end to end encryption often referred to as secret or private messages make sure it's enabled, the same goes for auto destruction of messages or conversations after a pre set time period.

If you want real secure private messaging then we recommend using Signal, a secure and open source messaging app that can also replace your default SMS app if required allowing encrypted SMS texts as well as secure voice (VoIP) and video calls between users.