If you care about your privacy, you should enable end-to-end encryption for Google's Messages app on Android.This means that any information you send is completely safe and has no chance of being intercepted by third parties, including Google.
End-to-end encryption of messaging apps uses RCS (Rich Communication Services), the latest development in SMS.All you need to do is enable it in the messaging settings.
How is encryption of information carried out?
End-to-end encryption works by scrambling any text, image or file you send from the Messages app before you leave your device.Once the message reaches the recipient's device, the Messages app uses a secret key to decrypt the data, allowing them to read the message.This means that if someone intercepts the message in the middle, they won't be able to read the content because they don't have the key needed to decrypt it.
The secret key is a number generated on your and your recipient's phones, and each message has a new key.Once the key has been used to decrypt the information, it is deleted.
Enable RCS chat history for end-to-end encryption
To enable end-to-end encryption, there are two requirements.First, both you and the person you're messaging must be using the Google Messages app.The second requirement is that you both need to use the RCS information on the device.This means that the messages are sent over the internet and in RCS format rather than SMS or MMS.
To enable end-to-end encryption in Messages, follow these steps:
1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap your profile picture or icon in the upper right corner to open a menu.
3. Select Message Settings.
4. Click RCS chat or chat function.
5. Click the toggle button to enable RCS chat or enable chat.
When you first enable RCS chat, you may need to verify your phone number to make sure it is valid.Just follow the prompts in the settings and you're good to go.
Look for padlocks to see if your information is encrypted
You'll know the message is end-to-end encrypted if there's a little padlock next to the send button.The little lock will also appear next to the timestamp of the message, and next to the banner telling you who you're chatting with.
If these areas are padlocked, your information is safe.
Use your verification code to check encryption
Every end-to-end encrypted conversation has a unique verification code, which is the same for you and your contacts.If you want to go through an extra step to verify this code, it gives you extra peace of mind that your chats are encrypted and sent to the right people.
To do this, open the conversation in the Messages app and open the More menu (three vertical dots) in the upper right corner.Now select Details > Verify Encryption.Now all you have to do is call your contact and confirm they have the same code.
Protect yourself and your data
In today's technological world, security is the biggest concern.As more and more people fall victim to privacy breaches, it's important to be cautious and do everything you can to protect yourself, and encrypting your information is a smart start.
Copyright Notice:The article only represents the author's point of view, the copyright belongs to the original author, welcome to share this article, please keep the source for reprinting!
