Ensuring your privacy while using online messaging apps is crucial for your personal information and communication. With the wide range of options for a messaging app, you should be wary of protecting your personal details, especially when you intend to share sensitive and confidential messages.
It is important to know what features should a messaging app have, in order to assure you that your messages will be safe and secured, no matter what. While there are laws and regulations looking through these apps, it is only the individual responsibility of the user to study their own apps.
With the widespread use of messaging apps, here are some tips to enhance your message privacy:
End-to-End Encryption
This feature secures messages through the use of encryption keys. When you send a message, it automatically gets encrypted on your device so that it remains private between the sender and the receiver only.
Even in the presence of a third party, such as messaging app providers or hackers, they will not have access to decipher the sent content without the corresponding encryption keys.
Choose a Secure Messaging App
Not all messaging apps offer the same walls of security and protection. Each app has its own policies and gimmicks to provide security features to its customers.
You should opt for a reputable and security-focused messaging platform that is already known for protecting its users' data. You should also check its cross-platform support to ensure a seamless transition of conversation regardless of the device that you are using.
Use Only Strong and Unique Passwords
It seems to be repetitive but this tip is usually taken for granted. Always use strong and unique passwords for your accounts. Avoid incorporating words or numbers that have a close connection to you such as your birthday, mobile number, nickname, and such.
On top of that, be sure to enable your two-factor authentication. This will add an extra layer of security to your accounts by having to log a second form of verification like a code or a notification that will be sent through your email or phone number.
Check App Permissions
Checking and managing the app permission is an important step that is often overlooked by people. Most of the time people would just click the Allow button without comprehending the possible consequences of giving access to the app.
Both Android and iOS phone users can inspect and manage their app permission through the settings. If the app requests too much permission upon use, you might consider switching, especially if it endangers your privacy.
Avoid Sending Through Public Wi-Fi
While scrolling through the feed using a public free Wi-Fi is tempting, it is better to be careful than sorry. This type of Wi-Fi is often less secure than private networks, making the users more vulnerable to security risks.
If you cannot really help it, you can try using a virtual private network (VPN) service. It offers encryption to your internet connection, adding an extra layer of security while connecting via public Wi-Fi. However, it is still safer to avoid it overall.
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