Why Use End-To-End Encrypted Messaging Apps

There are over 560 billion text messages being sent monthly all over the globe, including yours. But does it ever cross your mind that someone else might have access to your messages? Do you often ask yourself if third parties or government authorities are prying on your messages? If your concerns turn into reality, that is because you are not using end-to-end encryption system of communication.

What is E2EE

According to Google’s online dictionary, encryption is the process of converting information or data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. If we speak in terms of instant messaging, end-to-end encryption also known as E2EE is a system of communication where only the sender and the recipient are able to access the sent messages. The term end-to-end means encrypting messages on both ends. If your messages are encrypted, it means no third parties can access your data. Not even telecom companies, internet providers, or the provider of the communication service can interfere with your calls and messages. Why? Because your messages are written in scrambled codes such as D!G012s%).gpl23 making third parties impossible to interpret.

How Do Encrypted Messages Work? 

As mentioned above, encrypted messages work with random scrambled codes such as D!G012s%),gpl23\ called Ciphertext in terms of cryptography. Every user has 2 types of keys; public key and private key. Suppose that you are Tim and you want to text Sarah. You will use Sarah’s accessible public key to encrypt your message. Because you have access to Sarah’s public key, your plain text message (Hi, how are you? ) will be encrypted and sent to the server already encrypted.  Once it’s encrypted to something like this  D-G012s%)- gpl23\, Sarah will want to decrypt the ciphertext with her private key in order to receive a readable plaintext. When Sarah receives the readable text,  she will simply repeat Tim’s steps to reply back. Remember! Everyone has access to your public key, but only you have access to your own private key for decrypting the codes.

Note: You do not have to go through this procedure manually because web security mechanisms are behind all the work.

History Behind Encryption 

Here’s how it all started. Encryption was known as “cryptography” before the digital age. Ancient Egyptians used to complicate their hieroglyphs so that not everyone could make sense of what they had written. Moreover, encryption, as the world knows it today, appeared in the middle ages. This is, thanks to Al-Kindi, an Arab mathematician and philosopher who is the author of the oldest known book on cryptology.  Then, during the years of the World War II, encryption took a more serious and advanced form. A machine called Enigma used by Nazi Germany was developed and used in the early- to mid-20th century to protect and encrypt commercial, diplomatic and military communication.

Why Should You Use End-to-End Encryption 

If you’re paranoid someone else is tracking your text messages, you need a secure messaging app that can encrypt all your data.  Apps that use E2EE system of communication will protect all your information from third parties including hackers. Encrypted apps will make it impossible for hackers to intrude your messages. Thus, even if they could, they can only view the  Ciphertexts. But if your messages are not encrypted, third parties including hackers can easily intervene. Plus, your chances of getting hacked increases, making it easier for the hacker to access all your information in readable plaintexts. So, before you send a text message, make sure to check if your VoIP app is E2EE to avoid third parties prying on your conversation.

Data Breaches and the Need for Secure Messaging Apps

Data breaches happen every day. One of the most infamous data breaches occurred to Yahoo (once dominant Internet giant) in 2013-2014. The names, email addresses, dates of birth, and telephone numbers of 500 million users were compromised. Moreover, on January 3, 2018, India’s 1 billion people public database of Aadhaar (English: Foundation) was compromised by former staff members. Aadhaar is a 12 digit unique-identity number that all Indian residents receive based on their biometric and demographic data.

Final remarks 

In conclusion,  many apps nowadays claim they are end-to-end encrypted.  Nevertheless, only a few of them are encrypted by default. One of those apps is Pinngle. Pinngle Safe Messenger is an instant messaging app that encrypts all your messages by default. The messaging app guarantees ultimate protection for your information. No one, including Pinngle, can access your messages or calls. This way, your calls and messages become available only to you and the person you’re talking to or sending messages to. To ensure safety and privacy, download Pinngle Messenger to protect all your calls and messages from prying eyes with its E2EE and serverless architecture.

Also published on Medium.