+In an era of uncomfortably intrusive tracking, the requirement for secure messaging has become crucial.
+With companies like Meta and Google intruding our privacy on a daily basis, we must take a stand, especially with the messaging applications, perhaps the most sensitive piece of software that people use.
+In this article, I will explain why it is urgent for you to take the stand by using secure messaging and explain how to get started.
+Privacy: An Ignored Factor
+Privacy is incredibly important in this modern day and age.
+This is why I will only speak about messaging software that is both private and secure.
+When choosing software, privacy and security should have equal importance.
+Why?
+Why would one use secure messaging if they have nothing to hide?
+Protecting Your Privacy
+Your privacy is incredibly important.
+However, it is ignored by most people, citing that they have nothing to hide.
+Everyone has something to hide, whether that be related to their money, reputation or even personal issues.
+Imagine your reaction if your current messages in their entirety got leaked, allowing anyone to read and go through them.
+You would be uncomfortable and also fear people taking advantage of your private messages.
+It is for this reason that it is important to safeguard your most personal conversations.
+Avoiding Cyber Threats
+Secure messaging uses end-to-end encryption.
+However, it is not wise to completely trust when companies advertise end-to-end encryption.
+It depends mostly on the algorithm that they use.
+For example, the Signal protocol is open-source and fully available to the public.
+This allows people to view and even contribute to improving its overall effectiveness.
+However, WhatsApp's encryption is proprietary.
+No one knows what encryption algorithm WhatsApp is running on their servers which makes it impossible to determine if it is secure.
+All in all, you should do your own research before proceeding.
+
+Your metadata is crucial to protecting your conversations.
+It can give context to your messages.
+Protecting your metadata helps mask your messages and protects it from being tampered.
+Getting Started
+I will be showcasing how to download and use secure messaging apps.
+As aforementioned, I will only show apps that are both secure and private.
+1. Choose a secure app
+Firstly, download one of the following:
+
+- Signal - It is free, open-source and is a great alternative for WhatsApp
+- Session - It is incredibly private. You do not get a phone number and have to backup a seed phrase, making it complicated for most users.
+- Threema - Threema is a paid option but also easy to use.
+
+Next, open your app and set it up.
+Keep only the bare minimum data about you.
+For my name, I keep a dash (-) and no profile picture.
+2. Enable two-factor authentication
+Now, enable two-factor authentication if available.
+This allows you to prevent others from registering using your credentials without your consent.
+3. Keep updating
+Regularly check for updates.
+If an app has an update, update it.
+This prevents security and privacy breaches from occurring.
+4. Use disappearing messages
+Keep disappearing messages on by default.
+This ensures that sensitive messages are deleted within a period of time.
+For extremely sensitive chats, consider visiting the person you want to talk to physically.
+If that is not an option, turn on disappearing messages and set a time limit for 5 minutes and chat with them, so that the messages disappear after 5 minutes.
+
+If your contacts are still on other messaging apps, convince them to join secure messaging apps as well.
+This allows you to have a secure option even if your main chats are on the other app.
+Conclusion
+In conclusion, it is important to employ secure messaging.
+Signal, Session and Threema are all viable applications that one can use.
+If only a few of your contacts are on Signal, do not worry.
+Talk to them on Signal and the others on the app you talk with them on.
+Remember, privacy is a journey, not a destination.
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