Chats and direct messages (DMs) are essential features of platforms like social media networks and online gaming service. Their acceptance makes them common channels for social engineering scams, though. Don’t click suspicious links or give out sensitive information in these online exchanges, particularly not to people you’ve just virtually met.

With the large increase in the hybrid workplace, many chat Apps like Slack have become are hugely popular in today’s workplaces. However, they can log your conversations and may allow supervisors to view information without your knowledge. It’s best to use discretion or resort to other communications channels for non-work-related private matters.

Whether gaming on your console or a PC, form a voice chat party using the console’s party app or a third-party PC app, rather than using a game’s in-game chat. This will keep your conversation private and ensure you and your friends will remain anonymous, even if you divulge self-identifying information. In-game chats are open […]

Mattermost is a more secure alternative to Slack, so it can be appropriate for a workplace setting. It contains most of the same features as Slack, like multiple chat rooms and the ability to send GIFs and emojis, but it also contains multiple layers of security with its high-trust SaaS approach and lack of third-party […]

SMS texts (e.g., the green messages on iPhones, and most messages sent from the stock Chat app on Android devices) are not encrypted, which sets them apart from most internet-based messaging services like iMessage or WhatsApp. Accordingly, it’s best not to include sensitive data like a bank account number within them.

Apps like Slack and HipChat are enormously popular in today’s workplaces. However, they log your conversations and may allow supervisors to view information without your knowledge. Use discretion or resort to other communications channels for private matters.