Top 5 secure messaging apps and how to enhance your protection
As the number of Internet users takes a rise, more messaging apps are coming out to serve the growing population. Software manufacturers continue to launch more of the applications with new delighting features. Although there is a lot of fun in messaging apps, there has always been a privacy issue.
Authorities have taken over some social media apps and can track the activities of every user. You might not be doing anything illegal, but you still don’t desire a random person to monitor what you do online. This article is going to explore some of the safest messaging apps when it comes to online privacy.
WhatsApp Messenger has been around since 2009 and has attracted users from all around the world. The application allows individuals to engage in communication using texts, voice or video. Whatsapp users can freely share different types of files among each other over mobile devices or a web app.
WhatsApp enabled end-to-end encryption in 2016 to provide a more secure way of chatting. Hackers can’t decrypt your WhatsApp conversations because of the coding technique used.
- Telegram
Telegram, a free cloud-based messaging service, first appeared in 2013 for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, macOS and Linux. The instant messaging app offers encrypted client-server communication. Telegram does not support screenshots in secret chats.
Also, voice calls have the end-to-end encryption for the various Telegram accounts a user can own. Telegram users have the option to choose a nickname instead of exposing their phone numbers. Only your contacts can see the phone number you used to register on Telegram.
- Viber
Viber was initially released for iOS in 2010 as an application for voice calling. It was in 2011 that Viber introduced the instant messaging feature. Since then, other versions have been released for all the widely-used operating systems. With the latest version of Viber, you can enjoy verified end-to-end encryption in your communication.
- Signal
Signal works in the same way as an SMS app in Android phones, except with additional security features. It encrypts all communications that users make using the platform. You can also use Signal for voice or video calling, aside from its secure messaging. Signal enables you to verify the identity of your contacts in simple steps. Other versions are freely available for iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Silence
Silence provides a secure messaging platform using various modern encryption methods. The free, open-source application is user-friendly and encrypts chats without the need of an Internet connection. You can communicate securely with your friends using Silence and maintain your privacy in messages. Silence is available for all Android devices and is yet to be released for other operating systems.
VPN as an additional security tool
A VPN protects all your data when you use it to connect to the Internet. VPNs hide and clear any traces of the details that you might leave behind when surfing the Web. Such information includes your location, financial data, and browsing history.
Governments and security agencies have access to the personal information of millions of Internet users. In online messaging, you can escape all prying eyes using a secure VPN. Additionally, you get fast Internet access without the annoying pop-up ads that occasionally appear when you are online.
Keep in mind that the VPN should be a popular one that has pleasant user reviews. Some fake VPNs collect data and use it to accomplish their interests. You can opt for premium packages to ensure that you are fully protected.
Conclusion
Most modern messaging applications claim to offer encryption in their communication services. It is, however, essential to make sure that the apps are entirely safe to use. Besides using secure messaging apps, you should have a VPN to get maximum security when using the Internet for communication. You can then be sure to include any content in your chats, provided it makes sense and is not unlawful.