Why You Should Switch from SMS to a Secure Messaging App

Text messaging is one of the most popular ways to communicate in the digital era, but it also comes with privacy and security risks. In this blog post, we will explain why text messaging is based on older technology and is insecure, how text via SMS can be hijacked, and why using a text application is a good alternative to just a phone number for texting.

The Problem with SMS

SMS stands for Short Message Service, and it is the standard protocol for sending and receiving text messages over cellular networks. SMS was developed in the 1980s and 1990s, and it has not changed much since then. SMS has several limitations and vulnerabilities, such as:

  • SMS messages are not encrypted, meaning they can be intercepted, read, and modified by anyone with access to the network or the device.
  • SMS messages are stored by cellular providers, who can see the contents of the messages and share them with third parties, such as advertisers, law enforcement, or hackers.
  • SMS messages have a limited length of 160 characters, which can result in fragmented or incomplete messages.
  • SMS messages rely on the phone number of the sender and the receiver, which can be spoofed, hijacked, or stolen by malicious actors.

The Solution: Secure Messaging Apps

Secure messaging apps are applications that use the internet to send and receive text messages and other types of media, such as photos, videos, voice messages, documents, etc. Secure messaging apps have several advantages over SMS, such as:

  • Secure messaging apps use end-to-end encryption (E2EE), which means that only the sender and the receiver can see the messages’ contents, and no one else, not even the app provider, can access them.
  • Secure messaging apps do not store the messages on their servers; they delete them after they are delivered or after a certain period, depending on the user’s settings.
  • Secure messaging apps do not limit the length or type of messages and can support rich features such as group chats, stickers, emojis, gifs, etc.
  • Secure messaging apps do not depend on the user’s phone number; they can use other identifiers, such as usernames, email addresses, or QR codes, to verify the user’s identity and prevent impersonation or hijacking.

How to Choose a Secure Messaging App

Many secure messaging apps are available on the market, but not all are equally trustworthy or reliable. Some of the factors to consider when choosing a secure messaging app are:

  • The app’s privacy policy and terms of service should clearly state what data it collects, how it uses it, and with whom it shares it.
  • The security features and the app’s encryption protocol should be transparent, open-source, and audited by independent experts.
  • The app’s user interface and user experience should be easy to use, intuitive, and customizable.
  • The app’s popularity and reputation. It should have a large and active user base and positive reviews and ratings.

Some of the most popular and reputable secure messaging apps are:

  • Signal: Signal is a free and open-source app that offers E2EE for text, voice, and video messages, group chats, disappearing messages, and other features. It is widely regarded as the most secure and private messaging app and is endorsed by many experts and activists, such as Edward Snowden, Elon Musk, and Jack Dorsey.
  • Telegram: Telegram is a free and cloud-based app that offers E2EE for text, voice, and video messages, as well as group chats, channels, bots, and other features. Telegram is known for its speed, reliability, and functionality, and it has over 500 million users worldwide.
  • Wire: Wire is a free and open-source app that offers E2EE for text, voice, and video messages, as well as group chats, file sharing, and other features. It is designed for personal and professional use and complies with European data protection laws.

Conclusion

Text messaging is a convenient and popular communication method but poses privacy and security risks. SMS is based on older technology and is insecure, and using text via SMS can be hijacked. A text application is a good alternative to just a phone number for texting, as it offers more security, privacy, and functionality. However, not all text applications are equally secure, and users should carefully choose the app that best suits their needs and preferences.