Cybersecurity spending this year is expected to reach $66 billion in the U.S., as security breaches and hacker attacks continue to rise. Faced with these kinds of threats, businesses and consumers alike are seeking ways to protect their data and communications more efficiently.
Encryption apps and tools are therefore becoming more commonplace, offering digital users the ability to secure passwords and personal information. But the overwhelming choices of apps available in the market can be confusing, especially when it comes to secure communications.
To help you decide, 10 members of Forbes Technology Council share what are some of the best encrypted messaging apps for consumers and why they are so effective. Here’s what they recommend:
1. iMessage
The common consumer still can't beat iMessage. The private key is stored on the device and therefore inaccessible without the device. As long as you possess your device, you hold the key. Technology is only one half of it, however. Security depends on a company that can secure their own encryption technology and protect it. Apple has enough weight to litigate and defend privacy and actively does. - Kyle Pretsch, Lucky Brand Jeans
2. Facebook's Encryption Feature
I was surprised to hear that Facebook has a feature in Messenger that allows you to send encrypted messages. One of my favorite features was the ability to time your message and make it disappear from both your end and the receiver's end 30 seconds after it's read. You have to enable this option under "secret conversations," but it makes it a lot more convenient if you're already using Messenger. - Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
3. Moti Chat
The Moti Chat platform has encrypted and authenticated infrastructure so that your customer data is always private and secure. Video recordings can't be made without both parties' permission and even when they are, the recordings are saved on your device, not in the cloud so you don't have to worry about third parties having access to your data. - Anthony Delgado, Disrupt
4. Signal
Hands down, without a doubt, the personal messaging app you should be using is Signal. It provides always-on, strong, truly end-to-end encryption across iPhone, Android and desktop. No one, not even Signal, can read the messages. It handles group, text, voice, video, document and picture messages. It offers cool features like disappearing messages, but no ads or fluff. Oh, and it's totally free. - Chris Grundemann, Myriad Supply
5. Squealock
Most messaging apps tend to require phone numbers, access to a contact list or are tethered to a major social network like Facebook. Squealock is end-to-end encrypted and requires no additional data outside of a changeable username. It also lets you know when people screen capture your text, image or video as an additional layer of security. - Jeremy Williams, Vyudu Inc.
6. Telegram
Every mainstream app used by many consumers has a great chance of being compromised. Good alternatives are the not-so-popular apps with focus on security, like Telegram. It is a cloud-based messaging app with heavy encryption and messages that can self-destruct. - Ivailo Nikolov, SiteGround
7. Viber
Unlike other messaging apps, Viber cannot read your personal chats, including one-on-one chats, group chats, audio and video calls, because they can’t access or read them in the first place. Viber’s end-to-end encryption by default gives users peace of mind. Additionally, certain messages require an added sense of privacy, that is why their "secret chats" option lets you set a self-destruct timer for every message in your conversation. - Alexandro Pando, Xyrupt
8. Wickr
Wickr has long been recognized for great features and strong encryption. It is an extremely easy to use and uber-secure messaging platform. In 2017, it went open source. This sealed the deal in my mind. Any encrypted messaging service you use should always be open sourced, so that others can verify encryption, transport and storage mechanisms. If security is what you're after, Wickr is my choice. - Tom Roberto, Core Technology Solutions
