Users of chat messaging services such as WhatsApp and WeChat should be concerned about the security of data shared through their mobile applications. There are many more chat apps being used, such as KakaoTalk and LINE, but few people consider the data being stored by the service provider and whether it is encrypted.
Encryption is a simple concept: you send a message to a friend using a code you have created, such as A becoming D and B becoming E. You and your friend have already agreed that the code will be 'shifted by 3', so either you or your friend can decode it. Other people who receive the message cannot read anything out of it. The same method is used in computers, but with more complex keys for encryption. Unfortunately, this does not apply by default to anything you share through chat services, including text, images, music, or videos.
When it comes to online safety, it is not only about chat messaging services, but also the usage of many online storage providers (cloud storage) such as Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, OneDrive, and many more. The data stored by these providers is not encrypted, leaving you vulnerable.
It may be time to switch to an alternative storage provider such as SpiderOak, which encrypts data and respects your privacy. While their amount of free storage is not as generous as other providers, you can be sure that your data is secure, unlike with Dropbox and others.
Start using chat apps that provide end-to-end encryption between devices. Explore Telegram or RedPhone Messenger. Telegram has a secret chat feature that self-destructs messages after the conversation. No data is stored on Telegram servers during secret chats. Additionally, Telegram is offering a $200,000 prize to the first person who can crack its encryption.
