After a massive cyberattack called Salt Typhoon, the U.S. government is urging all citizens to use end-to-end encrypted messaging apps. The hack, orchestrated by China, compromised significant telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon, putting countless Americans at risk. End-to-end encryption ensures that only the intended recipients can read messages, protecting them from hackers and unauthorized surveillance.
Michael Hughes from Duality Technologies stated, “All things being equal if you can use an end-to-end encrypted platform, you should.
Among the most secure messaging options are WhatsApp and Signal, which have built-in end-to-end encryption. Privacy enthusiasts particularly favor signals as it doesn’t collect or store user data. However, its adoption is limited compared to the more widely used WhatsApp.
RCS (Rich Communication Services), an upgrade from SMS/MMS, sometimes supports end-to-end encryption. Google Messages automatically encrypts messages when both parties use the app over RCS, but Apple’s RCS implementation lacks this encryption.
Use encrypted messaging apps
Apple’s iMessage is end-to-end encrypted for communications between Apple devices, but not when interacting with non-Apple devices, which use less secure SMS/MMS. This disparity has been highlighted in a Department of Justice antitrust case against Apple. Facebook Messenger’s encryption is not universally applied across all its functionalities, requiring users to delve into the app’s specific encryption policies.
Consumers should check their phone settings to ensure they have the latest security updates, which may include encryption enhancements. However, even with end-to-end encryption, security isn’t guaranteed if devices are compromised or users fail to maintain basic cybersecurity hygiene. As cyber threats evolve, adopting more secure communication methods is crucial.
The FBI’s warning is a stark reminder of the importance of using secure messaging platforms. While Apple and Google have yet to provide a joint, secure messaging protocol, users are advised to rely on alternative encrypted messaging apps until a better solution is available.
