How can you confirm that an SMS message is encrypted?
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SMS, or short message service, is a popular way of sending text messages between mobile devices. However, not all SMS messages are encrypted, which means they can be intercepted, read, or modified by third parties. Encryption is a process of transforming data into a code that only the intended recipient can decipher. How can you confirm that an SMS message is encrypted? Here are some tips to help you.
The first thing to do is to check what app you are using to send and receive SMS messages. Some apps, like Signal, WhatsApp, or iMessage, use end-to-end encryption by default, which means that only the sender and the receiver can access the content of the messages. Other apps, like Android Messages or Samsung Messages, may use encryption only if both parties have the same app and enable a feature called chat or RCS. You can usually tell if an app is using encryption by looking for a lock icon, a blue bubble, or a verification code on the screen.
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Farid KHEDROUCHE
Graduation Position Specialized in Computer Science Security
AI and machine learning studies are the most cutting egde domains for sudying in these days, I hore to have necessary knowledge of this field of science
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MOSES OKWO ACPN, IILL, MNCS
SYSTEM ANALYST | OFFICE 365 EXPERT | WEB DEVELOPER | CEH
being informed about the encryption practices of the messaging apps you subscribe to, following best practices, in that light you can better protect your private communications. Always be at alert when discussing sensitive or confidential information, and choose the tools that align with your privacy and security needs.
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Fayyaz Khan
Network Administrator | Public Procurement Specialist | IT Trainer, Technical & Report Writer | Social Activist | (MCS, LLB, CPPP, CPCM)
If the encryption and decryption are done by the app then it's possible that the app has control on data/text. So, the user's data may not be safe
The second thing to do is to check what network you are using to send and receive SMS messages. Some networks, like GSM or CDMA, use encryption to protect the messages from being intercepted by the carrier or other parties. However, the level and type of encryption may vary depending on the network provider, the country, and the device. Other networks, like Wi-Fi or mobile data, may not use encryption at all, or may use a weaker form of encryption that can be easily broken. You can usually tell what network you are using by looking for a signal icon, a Wi-Fi icon, or a data icon on the screen.
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Fayyaz Khan
Network Administrator | Public Procurement Specialist | IT Trainer, Technical & Report Writer | Social Activist | (MCS, LLB, CPPP, CPCM)
Encryption should start from the app itself. The app should only send the message after encrypting. Data should be encrypted before sending to carrier and decrypted after receiving it from carrier.
The third thing to do is to check the settings of your device and your app to see if you can enable or disable encryption for SMS messages. Some devices, like iPhones or Android phones, have settings that allow you to turn on or off encryption for SMS messages. For example, on an iPhone, you can go to Settings > Messages > Send as SMS and toggle it off to use iMessage instead of SMS. On an Android phone, you can go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Advanced and toggle on Chat features to use RCS instead of SMS. Some apps, like Signal or WhatsApp, have settings that allow you to verify the encryption status of your messages. For example, on Signal, you can tap on the name of the contact and scan a QR code or compare a safety number to confirm that the messages are encrypted.
The fourth thing to do is to check the content of the SMS message to see if it looks encrypted or not. An encrypted message will usually look like a random string of letters, numbers, and symbols that make no sense to anyone who does not have the key to decrypt it. An unencrypted message will usually look like a normal text that anyone can read and understand. However, this method is not foolproof, as some messages may be encrypted with a simple code that can be easily guessed or cracked. For example, a message that says "3P0L1C3" may be encrypted with a simple substitution cipher that replaces each letter with a number, but it can be easily decoded as "POLICE".
The fifth thing to do is to check the source of the SMS message to see if it is from a trusted or verified sender. Some SMS messages may be encrypted, but they may also be malicious, fraudulent, or spammy. For example, a message that claims to be from your bank, your government, or your friend, but asks you to click on a link, enter your personal information, or send money, may be a phishing attempt or a scam. You should always be careful and skeptical of any SMS message that you receive from an unknown or suspicious source, and never open any attachments or links that you do not trust.
The sixth thing to do is to check the receiver of the SMS message to see if they can decrypt and read it. Encryption is only effective if both the sender and the receiver have the same key or the same app to decrypt the message. If the receiver does not have the key or the app, they will not be able to read the message, and they may see an error message, a blank message, or a garbled message. You should always communicate with the receiver beforehand and agree on a method of encryption that works for both of you. You should also avoid sending sensitive or confidential information over SMS, and use a more secure channel, like email or voice call, if possible.
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Zachary Vito
PR & Corp. Comms
As a rule of thumb, any text message sent to you with an associated link, especially from an unfamiliar source, proposing an offer that seems "too good to be true" most likely is. Refrain from clicking anything's sent to you unless you are expecting to receive that specific message at the designated time you receive it.
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