I use secure messaging apps. There are many reasons for this, some are listed in this article about cell phone subpoenas.
Messaging apps are all the rage these days, and for a good reason.
With all of the data breaches and revelations about government spying, protecting your communications is more important than ever.
There are many different messaging apps to choose from, but there are three that I am now recommending: Signal Private Messenger, XPal Secure Messenger and Session Private Messenger.
So, which is the best option for you? This comprehensive guide will help you decide.
There are many messaging apps. All with a degree of difference and some you should not use.
What are Private Messenger Apps?
First, let me say at the outset that this is written in terms that most people can understand. I don’t want to make this more complicated than it needs to be. Yes, I could talk about all the technical aspects and you likely will not walk away making a decision based on how complex this article is. I want you to take action and download a private messaging app now (Signal or Session)
Private messenger apps are a great way to keep your conversations between you and the people you're talking to. They're perfect for anything from business dealings to personal talks, and they offer a high level of security and privacy. Plus, most private messenger apps are free to use! Here are a few of the most popular private messengers:
WhatsApp
Signal Private Messenger
Session Private Messenger
XPal Secure Messenger
Telegram Messenger
Threema
There are a lot of private messenger apps out there, but not all of them are created equal. In this article, we'll be comparing two of the most secure options: Signal Private Messenger and Session Private Messenger. We'll go over the features of each app, their pros and cons, and who each one is best suited for.
XPAL Ultra Secure Messenger
Relatively new to the market, Xpal is my favorite by far. It has more features, advantages and benefits than the others. However, it is not as widely used by as many users as say Signal.
Since, as I write this, I am doing an update to this blog from the original material, I will not put a ton of features and benefits And, I get nothing from Xpal for sending you to their site. We have no affiliation. I just think it is best to get it from the horses mouth and see their features on their site.
The only thing that many will not like about Xpal is that it is not open-source software. However, it does have third-party audits.
If it was not for the fact that it took me donkeys years to get friends and family onto Signal, prior to Xpal roll out, I would use Xpal exclusively. But, since more people know about Signal, I use both.
Cool Features of Xpal:
In closing on the topic of Xpal, I think you should review the features using the link above. And for business, I would recommend this over the other apps due to the functionality.
Wipeout - Reverse your passcode and you've wiped all your conversations with everyone, and hidden your contacts list.
Terminate - Delete every chat you and the other person have had, even from their own device
Screenshots - Know when the other party has taken a screenshot of your conversation
No personal information needed - nothing. If you pay for the premium service, from like Apple, then there is that transaction, but Xpal does not know who you are.
Signal Private Messenger
Signal Private Messenger is a secure messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption for all message contents. That means that no one can read your messages or listen to your calls, not even the app itself.
The Signal is widely considered one of the most secure messaging apps available and is recommended by security experts such as Edward Snowden.
Let's dive deep into some of the features that Signal offers and how to use it.
How to use Signal Private Messenger?
The Signal mobile app is mercifully easy to install and navigate. You can easily find it in the App Store (for iPhone) or the Google Play Store (for Android).
Once the app is installed, open it up and create an account. You'll need to verify your phone number, and then you can start chatting.
If you want to add people to your Signal contacts list, you can open up the app and tap on the "Contacts" tab. You can either import your existing contacts or add new ones by their phone number.
Adding people is a little different on Signal than on other messaging apps. You don't need to know someone's Signal username to add them as a contact; all you need is their phone number. This can be helpful if you're trying to chat with someone who isn't already using Signal.
If you want to start a new conversation, open up the app and tap on the "New Conversation" button. You can select the people you want to include in the chat and start typing.
As easy as that!
Is Signal secure?
Signal's encryption is provided by the Open Whisper Systems, which is widely considered one of the most secure messaging platforms available.
All message contents are encrypted end-to-end, so no one (not even Signal) can read your messages. In addition, all calls made through Signal are also encrypted.
You don't need to worry about Signal app security. Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps available, and it's recommended by security experts such as Edward Snowden.
Video and voice calls:
Signal offers both video and voice call functionality.
The quality of calls is generally quite good, although there have been some reports of choppy audio on occasion.
To place a video call, open up a conversation with the person you want to talk to and tap on the "Video Call" button. The app will then connect you and the other person via video.
If you want to place a voice call, tap on the "Voice Call" button instead. The app will connect you and the other person via audio-only.
Both video and voice calls are encrypted end-to-end, so you don't need to worry about anyone listening to your conversations.
Verify safety numbers:
One of the most critical security features that Signal offers is the ability to verify safety numbers.
A safety number is a unique code generated for each Signal user. You can use this code to verify that the person you're talking to is who they say they are.
This is especially important if you're talking to someone new or unsure of their identity.
I like this feature, as it gives me a lot of peace of mind knowing that I'm talking to the right person.
History erasing:
Another great security feature that Signal offers is the ability to delete your chat history.
You can do this on a per conversation basis or delete all messages for all conversations at once.
Just open up the conversation and tap on the "Delete" button to delete a single conversation. The app will then ask you if you're sure you want to delete the conversation.
If you want to delete all messages for all conversations, go to the "Settings" tab and tap on "Delete All Messages." The app will then ask you if you're sure you want to delete all messages.
Keep in mind that deleting your chat history will also delete any media (photos, videos, etc.) that you've exchanged in those conversations.
Message lifetime:
Another cool feature that Signal offers is the ability to set a message lifetime.
This is the amount of time a message will remain visible in a conversation before it disappears.
You can set the message lifetime to 1 minute, 5 minutes, 1 hour, or one day.
I think this is a great feature, as it allows you to control how long your messages will remain visible.
Safer Notifications:
Signal also offers a feature called "Safer Notifications."
This is a setting that allows you to hide the content of your messages from your lock screen.
To enable this setting, go to the "Settings" tab and tap on "Safer Notifications."
It allows you to keep your messages private even if someone manages to access your lock screen.
Pros:
Free
End-to-end encryption
Open-source
Minimal logging
Desktop app
A lot more users than Session or XPal
Cons:
Not all attachment types are supported
Who is it best for?
The Signal is a great choice for anyone who wants a private messenger app that offers end-to-end encryption. It's also a good choice for those who want a free app, as it doesn't cost anything to use.
Verdict:
Overall, I think Signal is a great messaging app. It's straightforward to use, and it offers many great features. If you're looking for a private messenger app, I would recommend Signal.
Session Private Messenger:
Session Private Messenger is a cross-platform messaging app that allows you to send messages and photos privately. It works on both phones and computers, and it's secure because all communications are encrypted.
Session Private Messenger is an excellent alternative to other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger because it offers more privacy and security. It's also a perfect choice for businesses that need to communicate privately with their employees.
How to Use Session Private Messenger?
It's straightforward to use and navigate. Its UI is minimalistic and to the point. You can easily download it from the App Store or Google Play.
Once you have it installed, open the app and create an account. Then, add your contacts by their phone number or email address. To start a new conversation, tap on the contact's name.
To send a message, type it into the box at the bottom of the screen and hit "Send." Your messages will appear in blue bubbles on the right side of the screen. The person you're talking to will see your messages in green bubbles on the left side of the screen.
Is Session secure?
Yes, Session is a secure messaging app. All communications are encrypted end-to-end, so only the people involved in the conversation can read the messages.
Session also offers other security features, like self-destructing messages and disappearing pictures. You can also set up a PIN code to protect your account.
All your calls will also be encrypted.
Encrypted groups:
You can also create encrypted groups on Session. This is perfect for businesses that need to communicate privately with their employees.
To create an encrypted group, tap on the "New Conversation" icon and select "Create Encrypted Group." Then, add the people you want to include in the group.
Once you've created the group, you can start chatting. All the messages in the group will be encrypted.
The best part is that there is no limit to the number of people you can add to an encrypted group.
Disappearing messages:
Session also offers disappearing messages. This is a great security feature if you want to ensure that your messages are deleted after a certain amount of time.
To set up disappearing messages, open a conversation and tap on the "Menu" icon. Then, select "Disappearing Messages." You can choose to have your messages disappear after 1 minute, 1 hour, or one day.
Once you've turned on disappearing messages, your messages will automatically delete after the time you've selected.
Self-destructing pictures:
Another great security feature of Session is self-destructing pictures. This is perfect for sending sensitive information, like credit card numbers or passwords.
To send a self-destructing picture, open a conversation and tap on the "Camera" icon. Then, take a picture or select one from your camera roll. Once you've selected a picture, tap on the "Menu" icon and select "Self-Destruct."
You can choose to have the picture self-destruct after 1 minute, 1 hour, or 1 day.
Once you've turned on self-destructing pictures, your pictures will automatically be deleted after the selected period.
Safety Numbers:
Yes, safety number features are also available in Session.
If you want to make sure that your conversations are private, you can verify your safety numbers. This is a great security feature that allows you to know that the person you're talking to is who they say they are.
Open a conversation and tap on the "Menu" icon to verify your safety number. Then, select "Verify Safety Number." You and the person you're talking to will see a code that you need to compare. If the codes match, you know that the conversation is private.
Pros:
Free to use
Open-source
Encrypted end-to-end
Offers security features like self-destructing messages and disappearing pictures