Text messages, sent via carrier SMS, are fixtures of mobile communications. But they’ve lost ground to over-the-top (i.e., internet-based) services such as Apple iMessage, WhatsApp and Telegram. Those alternatives are not only more richly featured, but many have end-to-end encryption as well – something SMS and even its successor, RCS, do not support.

Facebook and Messenger are two of the most common mobile apps, but they both ask for extensive permissions and consume a lot of battery. One alternative is to use the Facebook mobile website, which is less resource-intensive and minimalist. You can also find third-party messaging clients like Friendly that handle all of Messenger’s functionality in […]

Third-party applications may provide entertainment or functionality, but use caution when deciding which applications to enable. Avoid applications that seem suspicious, and modify your settings to limit the amount of information the applications can access.

End-to-end encryption means a message is protected throughout its entire journey from sender to receiver. Many common forms of communication, from email to many chat apps, don’t enforce it, though. Look for apps that provide a detailed explanation of their encryption measures, and explore encrypted email if you are worried about the contents of your […]

Decluttering is associated with wardrobes or collections of physical item such as books, but it’s just as applicable to digital assets, too – like your apps. If you’re updating apps and notice one that you haven’t used in months or even ever, delete it. You’ll be saving yourself not only a potential privacy and security […]

Side-loading is the practice of downloading applications that have not been approved by the operating system’s official app store. It’s usually not worth the risk, as there’s no assurance these apps have been scanned for malware. Stick to the official channels.