Before hitting send on your next text message, it’s worth taking a moment to consider the security of your communication. To ensure maximum privacy, you should use messaging platforms that implement end-to-end encryption.
 |
| Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images |
Most consumers rely on messaging services from major tech giants like Apple, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms. These include iMessage, Google Messages, WhatsApp, and traditional SMS.
However, the level of protection these services offer varies widely. Concerns over security are growing, especially after a significant breach of telecom networks in the U.S.
Recently, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI exposed a major hacking campaign by Salt Typhoon, a group tied to China. This cyberattack compromised major telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon, marking one of the most substantial breaches of U.S. infrastructure.
In response, CISA, the NSA, the FBI, and global partners issued a security guide urging users to adopt better safety measures, including end-to-end encryption.
What Is End-to-End Encryption and Why Is It Important?
End-to-end encryption ensures that messages remain private and accessible only to the sender and the recipient. As the message moves between devices, encryption prevents unauthorized parties—including hackers and even the messaging platform itself—from reading the communication. This level of security is especially vital for defending against surveillance and cyberattacks.
“Whenever possible, users should opt for platforms that offer end-to-end encryption,” advises Michael Hughes, Chief Business Officer at Duality Technologies, a company specializing in encrypted data solutions.
Despite its importance, many people are unaware of their options when it comes to secure messaging. Here’s what you need to know.
Top End-to-End Encrypted Messaging Apps: WhatsApp and Signal
While consumers use messaging apps for different reasons, security should be a top priority. Platforms like Meta’s WhatsApp and Signal lead the way when it comes to end-to-end encryption.
Signal, created by one of WhatsApp’s co-founders, has become a favorite among privacy advocates due to its strict policy of not collecting or storing user data.
Signal’s commitment to privacy makes it especially attractive for users skeptical of WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, given its controversial privacy practices. However, Signal’s primary downside is its smaller user base—if your contacts don’t use Signal, communication becomes difficult.
For those willing to pay, apps like Threema offer exceptional privacy. Threema does not require phone numbers or email addresses for registration, ensuring complete anonymity. However, convincing friends and family to switch to a paid service can be challenging when free options are widely available.
Most people, according to Roger Grimes of KnowBe4, a security platform provider, will only use encryption “if it’s automatic and doesn’t add any inconvenience.”
RCS and Apple’s iMessage: What You Should Know
Newer messaging standards like Rich Communication Services (RCS) are improving the security and functionality of texting. RCS enhances features beyond SMS and MMS, and in some cases, it supports end-to-end encryption. However, encryption is not always enabled by default on all devices.
For instance, Google Messages automatically upgrades RCS chats to end-to-end encryption. In contrast, Apple’s implementation of RCS on iPhones lacks this level of security, which is a notable gap.
Apple’s proprietary iMessage, on the other hand, offers robust end-to-end encryption for communication between Apple device users. The catch is that iMessage encryption does not apply to messages sent via RCS or SMS when communicating with non-Apple devices.
As Apple explains, messages outside the iMessage ecosystem “are not protected from third-party access while in transit.”
Another issue is compatibility: not all devices and carriers fully support RCS, and cross-platform communication between iPhones and Android devices still faces hurdles. Trevor Horwitz of TrustNet highlights these issues as a major area where improvements are needed.
Gaps in Facebook Messenger’s Encryption
Not all messaging services from the same company guarantee consistent end-to-end encryption. For example, while Facebook Messenger supports encryption, it is not enabled in all situations.
Features like group chats for Facebook communities, Marketplace communications, and business-related messaging tools do not currently offer end-to-end encryption.
Deirdre Connolly, a cryptography researcher at SandboxAQ, urges consumers to carefully investigate how encryption works on each app they use. While this information is often buried in privacy policies or help sections, it is essential to understand what level of security a messaging app provides.
Google Messages vs. Apple iMessage: Key Differences
Google Messages serves as the default messaging app on Android devices and supports end-to-end encryption for RCS conversations—provided both users are on Google Messages.
However, communication with iPhone users remains unencrypted, falling back to traditional SMS/MMS. Users can identify encrypted RCS messages by their dark blue color and a lock symbol, whereas unencrypted messages appear light blue.
Meanwhile, Apple iMessage provides end-to-end encryption exclusively for chats between Apple users. Messages sent to Android users or other non-Apple devices default to unencrypted SMS/MMS, indicated by a green bubble.
This distinction has drawn criticism, particularly from the Department of Justice, which cites Apple’s reluctance to open iMessage encryption to non-iOS platforms as part of its antitrust case.
Efforts are ongoing to address these compatibility issues. GSMA, a leading industry organization, is working with major stakeholders to create a universal standard for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging.
Securing Your Devices and Staying Updated
To ensure your messages are as secure as possible, check the settings on your phone. Older devices and outdated apps may lack crucial security updates. Chris Henderson, Senior Director at Huntress, warns that users who fail to enable auto-updates could miss improvements to end-to-end encryption features.
If you’ve recently upgraded your phone, settings for encrypted messaging apps may not transfer automatically. Henderson recommends verifying that end-to-end encryption settings are enabled on new devices.
That said, even end-to-end encryption is not foolproof. If a device itself is compromised, hackers can bypass encryption to intercept communications. To minimize risk, cybersecurity experts advise keeping devices updated, avoiding suspicious downloads, and rebooting periodically.
The Future of Secure Messaging
End-to-end encryption is an essential defense against growing cyber threats, and its adoption is expected to increase as awareness grows. However, as Kory Daniels, Global CISO at Trustwave, explains, cybercriminals will continue exploiting insecure methods as long as users remain reliant on unencrypted communication.
“If the majority still use unprotected platforms, attackers will keep targeting these opportunities,” Daniels said. By adopting end-to-end encryption wherever possible, users can take a significant step toward protecting their digital communications.
0 Comments