If you are concerned about security of your messages and the information you share on WhatsApp and other applications, then this interests you, because a way of protect the privacy of app users it is with him end-to-end encryption. Here we tell you what it is and how to know if other apps have it.
End-to-end encryption on WhatsApp
The end-to-end encryption It ensures that only the user and the person they are communicating with can read or listen to what is being sent, and that no one else, not even WhatsApp, can.
To know if a conversation WhatsApp is protected with end-to-end encryption, follow the next steps:
- Open the chat you want to verify.
- Touch the contact’s name to go to the profile information.
- Select the “Encryption” option.
- Done! The app will offer a 60-digit code and a QR Code where you can verify that messages and calls with that contact are end-to-end encrypted on the device.
How to know if an application has end-to-end encryption?
Some platforms, in addition to WhatsApp that have this security system that keeps the privacy of users safe while they are on the internet are: Facebook Messenger, Telegram y Zoom.
This is how you can know if these applications have end-to-end encryption and how to activate it:
Facebook Messenger
- Make sure you have the app updated on your device
- Click on “New Chat”
- Activate the “Secret Conversations” option
- Click on the contact’s name
If you already have a conversation started, then just:
- Click on the contact’s name
- Select the option “secret conversation”
By doing this, a new conversation with the contact will be opened, which will be distinguished from the previous one because a “lock” icon will appear.
Telegram
- open the app
- Click on the “pencil” icon to start a new conversation
- Select the option “New secret chat”
- Choose the contact with whom you want to have the private conversation
- Done, a new conversation will open, which will be distinguished from the others by having the “lock” icon
Zoom
- Login as administrator
- Click on “User Management” and then on “Group Management”
- Click on the name of the group and then on “Settings”
- Click on the “Meeting” tab
- Verify that “Allow the use of end-to-end encryption” is enabled, otherwise click “Activate”
- Choose “Default encryption type”
- Click “Save”
What is end-to-end encryption?
A form of protect messages, audios, photographs, documents, publications, calls and other files in applications such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram y Zoom it is with him end-to-end encryption.
The end-to-end encryption It is a key between the sender and the receiver that changes frequently so that no one, including the platform, can track them or read them, since the messages sent are secured with a “padlock”.
The key to said “padlock” to decrypt messages is only held by both the recipient and the receiver, and it is activated automatically, facilitating the protection of messages.
Advantages and disadvantages of end-to-end encryption
Between the advantages of this protection system they find each other:
- Restriction of data exchanged via the Internet
- Online privacy during communication
- Only the recipient can decrypt the messages
- Can’t replace text
- Guarantees the integrity of communication
However, end-to-end encryption also has its disadvantages, these are:
- You can know the recipient, day and time of the exchange of messages
- Messages are not protected if someone physically accesses the device