End-to-end encryption is often touted as the end-all be-all. When it comes to text message security, encryption is definitely important. End-to-end encryption essentially ensures that while a message is in transit—that is to say, from the time send it hit until it reaches the intended receiver’s device—it cannot be read by an outsider. As Wired so aptly explained, you can think of encryption as a bodyguard that picks you up from your house, rides with you in your car and safely drops you off wherever you’re going. But once you reach your destination, the bodyguard’s no longer there—so your safety is no longer guaranteed.

 

What does this mean in terms of end-to-end encryption and text message security? It means that once any message reaches the recipient’s device, it’s decrypted and you no longer have control over its content. Let’s say you sent a message with personal information—for example, about closing a business deal. You cannot control whether the recipient—whether maliciously or inadvertently, screenshots the message, forwards it to other people or stores it to their hard drive. And it’s not just about human behavior—the message, once decrypted, might automatically be synced or backed up in the cloud—providing opportunities for it to be compromised. In fact, some end-to-end encrypted messaging services have cloud back up enabled by default and prompt users to enable it. Basically, it’s not enough to only think about security in-transit—you need to think about text message security at endpoints, too.

 

So how can you protect messages once they reach the intended recipient’s device? You should look for secure messaging platforms that offer features that ensure text message security through content control. This means that messages can’t be screenshotted, forwarded, shared or stored and that they do not remain on the device—addressing the issue of the messages being backed up or stored on multiple devices. At the same time however, when it comes to sensitive conversations such as those about business deals, compliance is mandated. While secure messaging platforms should have content control features they also need to provide the ability to archive messages into a single, secure, client-designated repository to ensure compliance.

 

At Vaporstream we focus on both security in-transit and at endpoints. All messages sent via Vaporstream are encrypted and protected by content control features while remaining compliant through a single repository archive—ensuring your text message security. Vaporstream never allows the recipient to gain control over content and also never stores content, keeping you in control of your content at all times.

 

To learn how we can meet your text message security needs contact us today.

Contributor: The Vaporstream Team