Tips To Secure Text Messages From Any Leaks Or Privacy Invasions

Secure text messages with these security tips to keep your privacy and data security safe!

Texting is the modern way of communication when not everyone is free or comfortable with calls. However, with the increased amount of texting, threats to user privacy have risen as well. Relatively, the global user is concerned and looking forward to keeping their privacy intact while texting. To keep the user’s mind at ease, apps such as Instagram offer Vanishing Mode. The mode automatically erases the text once it’s read by the receiver. But that was just one example of the encrypted messaging practices being followed today across the globe.

In this blog, furthermore, we are discussing a few crucial tips you can use for the privacy of messaging lifestyles. If you find the topic intriguing, stay with us until the end of this blog for some amazing insights.

1. Use encrypted messaging apps

The simplest step that you can take to secure text messaging on your smartphone is choosing your apps carefully. There are plenty of secret texting apps existing in the global market that offer various features to protect your texting privacy. For your reference, we are including a few private messaging apps along with their features.

• Telegram- This secure messaging app saw a rise in its download due to its privacy policies, especially after the announcement of updated data sharing policies by WhatsApp in the first quarter of 2021. Telegram allows you to exchange private text messages with other Telegram users with the help of a feature called Secret Chat. According to official tips for texting shared by Telegram authorities on their website, you can use this feature to set self-destruct timers for messages, disable the message forwarding feature, get notifications if the screenshot is taken, etc. These coded messages are also encrypted with high-level encryption so no one else can monitor text messages between you and the other parties.
• Snapchat- This encrypted messaging app has been a key player in protecting user privacy for a while. On Snapchat, you get features like receiving notifications if someone takes screenshots of the conversations, stories, or media content that you share. Snapchat also allows you to set timers on graphics shared with receivers so they have very limited access to any content that you share.
• Instagram- This secure text messaging app offers a feature called Vanishing Mode. You can activate this feature specifically for each user to destruct messages automatically once they are seen and you close the conversation. Instagram is also known for the strict message encryption policy used to protect the secrecy of users.

2. Do not use cloud backups

Now, another tip to secure text messages that you should not forget is that data backups make your content vulnerable to getting leaked. Most cloud storages use your email and other credentials to protect your account. Even though additional security measures like two-step authentication are also used, it is still crucial to understand that your accounts can get hacked if someone has access to your email and numbers registered for verifications. Thus, it is always advisable to ensure that your private conversations are only stored offline and you erase them often to ensure they are not leaked even if you lose your devices or your cloud accounts are hacked.

3. Do not open or download unknown links

Cyber Attackers have been changing their ways of trying to infiltrate into devices of users for a long time. Phishing attacks are one of these ways that you will come across very often. Most phishing attacks are done via emails or text messages where you get links to either visit websites, download files, or enter your credentials on social media platforms. So, you have to ensure that before you visit any link, you are sure of its authenticity. Also, avoid entering your social media credentials on any third-party websites because many spam websites have collected user credentials that way. Additionally, avoid opening or downloading spam files sent from suspicious emails. These files could be PDFs, JPGs, videos, or anything like that.

4. Keep your devices locked

Sharing one device with multiple users can make you vulnerable to exposing your conversations. Thus, use a private device with features like facial identification, user code authentication, or fingerprints. Also, keep your operating system versions updated to ensure your devices have the latest security patches installed and in use.

Wrapping Up

Well, these were a few steps that one can take to ensure the safety of your conversations on encrypted messaging apps. However, there are still ways that the receiver can record your conversations like recording the screen with the help of an in-built screen recorder or a second device camera. So, to ensure that your privacy is protected, it is advisable that you do not use texts to share sensitive information.

In the end, we hope that this blog has helped you in understanding- how to send a private text message? You should explore MobileAppDaily blogs to know more about the mobile app development industry, blockchain, AI, IoT, and many other related topics.