Signals and Telegrams are considered more reliable and secure in terms of protecting user privacy. But according to cybersecurity expert Zak Doffman, nothing is really reliable, at least until users change some security settings while using all three.
These privacy setting changes are to ensure that user information can be better protected when using WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal.
Here are some privacy tips for individual ordering applications, which users should apply:
1. WhatsApp
In WhatsApp, private and group messages are equipped with end -to -end encryption and only users can access the content of the message.
But according to Doffman, the problem lies in the metadata, which is who, when and where it relates to the message, as well as the user's contact and information about the device.
“WhatsApp can still be used, but it’s important to change the configuration to stay secure,” Doffman said.
- Users should avoid receiving malicious content.
For example, be sure not to click on links or attachments of unknown origin.
- Deactivate the option to automatically save pictures received to the phone gallery.
Here's how: open Settings - Storage and Data (Storage and Data) - Automatic media download, select the No Media option for each option.
- Use a PIN number, then turn on two -step verification
This will prevent outsiders from fraudulently hijacking your account.
Here's how: Enter Settings - Account - Two -Step Verification and select and follow the options when activating this setting.
- Turn off backup
Messages are encrypted when sent, but when users use the backup option in WhatsApp, your chat history will be uploaded to Apple or Google Cloud.
Now, this copy is not encrypted, so it's best not to back it up.
2. Telegram
When a user accesses Telegram for the first time, the user must enter a phone number.
The telegram will ask the user to enter a confirmation via a message sent via SMS. The problem is that, when someone steals the code, the user’s account can be read, including the contents in it.
Therefore, if you want to use Telegram safely, the following are recommended:
- Enable Two -Step Verification (2FA)
The trick is to enter Settings - Privacy and Security - add Password
- Change privacy settings
In the privacy settings, select the "only contacts" option who can communicate with you, while people whose names aren't in your contacts list, can't send you chats.
Users can also restrict who can see their profile, recent online status, and who can add our contacts to groups.
- Use a lock code
It’s important to make sure that our chat isn’t accessible to anyone, as Telegram users need to activate a lock code.
Very simple: go to Settings - select Privacy and Security - select Passcode Lock - enter the lock code.
- Check your account's active sessions regularly
You should know, Telegram users are free to enter their accounts on various devices. I personally plug my Telegram account into one smartphone, one tablet and one computer.
Well, all three of these logins (active sessions) can be seen in Settings - Privacy and Security - Active Sessions.
Here you can identify if there is a login using a device that you have never used. You can also end an active session.
-Secret chat and end-to-end encryption
Telegram offers secret chat that protects chats from one device to another. This option is not available for groups.
To start a secret chat, enter a regular chat with a contact of your choice, click on the three dots on Android or ‘more’ on iOS then select ‘start a secret chat’.
- Enable messages that can be deleted automatically
One of the interesting things about the Telegram app is that there is an option for messages that can be deleted automatically, shortly after being deleted.
After WhatsApp announced an update on its privacy policy to share data with Facebook, millions of users migrated to Signal and Telegram.
3. Signal
The privacy settings in Signal are quite similar to Telegram. Here's what users can do:
- Activate the registration key
The registration key will prevent others from accessing the user’s conversation history, if your account is stolen or hijacked.
The trick is to open Settings - select Privacy - at the very bottom for the Registration Key - activate it.
- Set screen lock
You can set the Alert lock screen according to the smartphone lock screen, either using biometrics or a passcode.
You can also set how long before the screen lock is activated.
- Turn off preview
With this, the message will not appear on the main screen of the device
Here's how: go to Settings - select Notifications - select Show, you can choose to show names and messages, only names, or no names and messages appear in notifications.
- Disable screenshots
Users can activate the option to block screenshots in the app.
Therefore, while using Signal, users cannot take screenshots in this app, both chat lists and contacts.
- Make Signal the default messaging application
Doffman says the trick can be used by Android users, as messaging will be more secure and encrypted. Although the default SMS is not equipped with encryption.
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TIPS & TRICKS
