📩 Secure Messaging

🛠️ What is it?#

Secure messaging ensures private communication by using encryption and best practices to protect your conversations. It’s about selecting the right apps, understanding their limitations, and avoiding vulnerabilities like phishing and metadata leaks.

🚨 Why is this important?#

Messaging apps are the cornerstone of modern communication, but insecure platforms can:

• Expose private conversations through interception or breaches.
• Share metadata (e.g., who, when, and where you’re messaging) with third parties.
• Provide hackers or malicious entities access to sensitive personal or professional information.

Using secure messaging practices protects your privacy and ensures sensitive data stays confidential.

🛡️ What can I do?#

🟢 Start Here (The Basics)#

1. Use Trusted, Encrypted Apps
   Opt for apps with end-to-end encryption to ensure only you and the recipient can read the messages. Top picks include:

   • Signal: Open-source, minimal metadata, and disappearing messages.
   • Session: Decentralized and does not require a phone number.
   • WhatsApp: End-to-end encrypted with additional privacy settings.

2. Enable Disappearing Messages
   Turn on disappearing messages to ensure conversations auto-delete after a set period, reducing long-term exposure.

3. Verify Contacts
   Most secure messaging apps allow you to verify contacts using safety numbers or QR codes. This prevents man-in-the-middle attacks where someone intercepts your conversation.

4. Avoid SMS for Sensitive Data
   Regular text messages (SMS) are not encrypted and are susceptible to interception. Always use secure apps for sensitive information.

5. Understand Metadata Risks
   Encryption protects your messages, but metadata (e.g., time, sender/receiver) can still be logged. Use apps like Signal or Session, which minimize metadata collection.

🔵 Want Extra Protection? (Leveling Up)#

1. Explore Peer-to-Peer Messaging
   For the highest level of privacy, use apps like:

   • Briar: Peer-to-peer communication via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, even offline.
   • Jami: Fully decentralized with no central server.

2. Use Decentralized Networks

   • Matrix: Supports encrypted group chats with federated servers.
   • Ricochet Refresh: Anonymous messaging over the Tor network.

3. Be Cautious with Links

   • Avoid clicking on unverified links in messages to prevent phishing or malware.
   • Disable auto-loading link previews, as they may reveal metadata to third parties.

4. Limit Personal Identifiers
   Apps like Session allow messaging without phone numbers, ensuring anonymity.

5. Encrypt Backups
   If your app allows chat backups, ensure the backup files are encrypted to avoid exposure in case of breaches.

📚 Handy Tools and Resources#

• Secure Messaging Apps:

  • Signal
  • Session
  • Briar
  • Matrix

• Decentralized Communication:

  • Ricochet Refresh
  • Jami

• Phishing Awareness: CISA Phishing Tips

✍️ Quick Tips#

• Regularly review app privacy policies to ensure they align with your security expectations.
• Delete unused chats and media to reduce exposure.
• Use apps that have undergone independent audits, ensuring transparency in their encryption protocols.

📝 Checklist#

• Install and use secure apps like Signal or Session for sensitive communication.
• Enable disappearing messages to limit chat exposure.
• Verify contact identities to avoid impersonation attacks.
• Avoid clicking on unverified links within messages.
• Use decentralized apps for enhanced anonymity, such as Briar or Jami.

📖 Sources#

• Awesome Privacy – Encrypted Messaging
• Signal
• Session
• Briar Project
• CISA – Phishing Awareness Tips