How to encrypt your text messages to protect against cyber attacks

On December 16, 2024By Littum

Sunshine Lynch
| Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin

The FBI is warning phone users to encrypt their text messages, especially if you’re messaging between Apple and Android users.

The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a declaration on Nov. 13 that hackers linked to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) were targeting “telecommunications infrastructure” in a “broad and significant cyberespionage campaign.”

The hackers targeted “a limited number of individuals primarily involved in government or political activity,” according to the statement, and stole “customer call data” and “certain information subject to warrant requests by U.S. law enforcement.”

Despite the ongoing investigation by the FBI and CISA, cyber security authorities have been unable to stop the hackers.

Which text messages to encrypt

Because of the cyberattack, officials are warning smartphone users to use texting apps like WhatsApp or Signal, as messages between Apple and Android users are not encrypted.

Messages between two Apple devices are secure, and messages between two Android devices are secure, but messages between an Apple device and an Android device are vulnerable.

Here are two SMS apps that use end-to-end encryption. Once you’ve downloaded one of these apps to your smartphone, you can also link them to your desktop computers.

How to encrypt text messages with WhatsApp

To ensure that messages between Apple and Android users are encrypted, you can use the SMS app WhatsApp.

To download the app, Apple users must visit App Store and Android users should visit Google Play appand download WhatsApp Messenger. The app is free to download and use.

After downloading the app, you must accept the terms and conditions and allow the app to have certain permissions, such as contacts and messages.

Then you have to choose the country you live in and register a phone number you own. This phone number must be able to receive phone calls and text messages, so it cannot be a landline or toll-free number.

WhatsApp will then give you the option to make a voice call or send a text to the phone number you entered to verify the number.

Once the number is confirmed, enter the year you were born and your name and click “Done”. After completing this step, you can start texting and calling your contacts via WhatsApp.

To use this app you need Wi-Fi or mobile data.

How to encrypt text messages with Signal

Signal is another encrypted SMS app that ensures that messages between Apple and Android users are protected.

To download app, Apple users should visit the App Store and Android users should visit the Google Play app and download Signal – Private Messenger. The app is free to download and use.

After downloading the app, you must accept the terms and conditions and allow the app to have certain permissions, such as contacts and messages.

Like WhatsApp, you enter a phone number that you own and are able to make calls and send and receive text messages.

Signal will send you a verification code that you must enter in the app that verifies the phone number. Once the number has been verified, you will need to create a PIN that will allow you to access your information and ensure that your information is encrypted.

You must then enter your first and last name to create your Signal profile. Once you’ve created your profile, you can start texting and calling through Signal. The app shows you the contacts on your phone that already have the app.

To use this app you need Wi-Fi or mobile data.