End-to-end encryption helps you protect your messages and conversations from being monitored and reviewed by unauthorized parties. Apple’s iMessage chat provides end-to-end encryption between iMessage users, and there are a variety of third-party messaging apps that can exchange encrypted over-the-top (OTT) messages between users on the same app. Popular options include WhatsApp and Signal, and […]

“Smishing” is a portmanteau of “SMS” (short message service) and “phishing,” a cybersecurity threat where malicious actors attempt to fool users into clicking links, downloading malware or handing over personal information, usually by email. Basically, smishing is phishing done via text message. Be skeptical of any unsolicited, automated text messages delivered over shortcodes that contain […]

Since Apple’s iMessage application uses the internet to send your texts, it’s vulnerable to “man-in-the-middle” attacks. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use the app, but when you need to have a private conversation with someone or send them sensitive information like your social security number, turn to a more secure messaging tool.

By hacking into Signaling System No. 7 (SS7), a system that connects mobile phone networks, cybercriminals may be able to see your locations, read your SMS messages and listen to your phone calls. If you’re planning on sharing highly private information, think about sending it through an encrypted chat app like Telegram or iMessage, so […]

Famously, on iOS devices iMessage messages are blue while SMS texts are green. But the actual differences are more extensive. In addition to allowing for longer message lengths and richer content sharing, iMessages are also encrypted, whereas SMS texts are not. Don’t send sensitive info over SMS.

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.