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.