Everybody knows
that their cell phone privacy is anything but guaranteed, but what exactly
should people do about it? “End-to-end encryption” is the buzzword of the day,
and not without reason.
However, there
are two aspects of cell phone security that need to be more widely understood.
Not all encryption is equally strong, even if it falls under “end-to-end
encryption.” Also, you can have the world’s most secure encryption, but there
could still be another way to access the information on your phone unless there
are other security features that specifically address any remaining
vulnerabilities.
Let’s take a
closer look at the ultimate in phone security.
Military-Grade Encryption
The finer
points of encryption get more complicated the deeper you get into the weeds.
But suffice to say, some encryption is much stronger than others. If you’re
using a free platform offering “end-to-end encryption,” it’s probably not the
strongest out there, or there are deliberate
vulnerabilities in the process because they work with third parties.
Look for a
company that does not offer free
services because security will be their only focus. The best platforms have
their own proprietary encryption protocol, such as ChatMail Advanced Messaging
and Parsing Protocol, which encompasses both PGP and Elliptical Curve
Cryptography.
With this
approach to security, the only information stored on the back-end servers will
be a username, activation, and expiry date. People are correct to believe that encrypted cell phone communication is
the bedrock of privacy, but more features on the phone itself are needed.
Secondary Security Features
If your phone
gets misplaced or stolen, the person who finds it can access all your
communications without having to decrypt anything unless there are other
security features in place which most phones don’t have.
The leading
platforms let you conduct a remote wipe, so you can erase all the phone’s
sensitive communications even if the phone itself is gone, whether it’s
connected to the internet or not. Self-destructing messages allow you to
control the lifespan of sensitive material.
Set an optional
duress password so that if someone tries to break into your phone, it will
automatically eliminate all sensitive material. A Notebook Lock Screen allows
for a custom PIN for two–factor security.
When the phone’s
design revolves around security alone, even the camera and photos will be
encrypted. However, the most secure platforms are also meant for everyday users
with no technical expertise.
Anyone can
arrange a secure group chat in three simple steps, even an anonymous group
chat. Look for a platform available in multiple languages, like English,
French, Russian, Dutch, and new ones coming out continually.
Whether for
commercial or personal purposes, your information is more valuable to an identity
thief than you may realize. Don’t just use a free platform and think you’re
safe — if you want to shut the door against hackersfully, you need the world’s
best encryption and secondary security features to plug any remaining security
gaps.