Signal: By default, Signal errs on the side of security, but beyond that it offers many other options for you to tinker with, such as setting up disappearing messages or notifying you anytime someone in your contacts list joins Signal.Turn on two-factor authentication and use a unique password for your Google account. You’ll know messages are encrypted when you see a small lock icon next to the send button. In this case, both parties need to use the Messages app and to have chat features enabled. Google Messages: Like Apple Messages, Google Messages has end-to-end encryption that mostly works by default but has some quirks.Be sure to enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account and use a unique password. Facebook Messenger: Messenger supports an optional end-to-end encryption that you need to manually turn on for each conversation, which you should do right when you’re starting a new conversation.It’s also crucial to have a unique password and two-factor authentication enabled on your Apple account. If you share any Apple devices with family members, such as an iPad or a desktop computer, be sure to disable Apple Messages on that device if you don’t want those other people stumbling across your conversations. If you have security concerns, turn off the backups. How-To Geek has an explanation essentially, your chats are secure, but the backups may not be. Apple Messages: Apple’s built-in messaging app, Messages, uses end-to-end encryption but has some quirks.Be sure to enable two-factor authentication and use a unique password. Telegram: By default, Telegram doesn’t perform end-to-end encryption on every conversation, which is a little weird, but How-To Geek has a guide for securing your chats.As always, enable two-factor authentication and use a unique password for your WhatsApp account. Consumer Reports has a guide to locking down WhatsApp’s various options to make it as private as possible. That might not seem great from a privacy point of view, but it does mean that the service has some decent security options, including end-to-end encryption in conversations.

Signal messenger security review