How to Keep My Text Messages Secure

In today’s digital age of data theft, text message security is more important than ever. With messaging being one of the cornerstones of communication, ensuring the privacy of your conversations is more important than you might think or believe. 

At My Computer Works, we understand the increasing risks, especially in light of the recent FBI warning on phone scams that were released, highlighting the growing need for vigilance. With this in mind, this blog guide provides tangible steps to protect your text messages. 

Safe Text Messaging Practices and Avoiding Scams

We always tell our clients that maintaining secure messaging habits is essential for protecting their text message privacy and avoiding scams. 

In our experience, cybercriminals often use tactics such as phishing to deceive victims by sending messages that appear to come from legitimate and known sources, tricking users into sharing sensitive information.

With text message scams on the rise, recent reports, including FBI warning text messages, have highlighted the growing risks urging people to take text scams more seriously. 

To protect yourself:

• Always verify links shared over private texting before clicking. Please hover over the link on a computer or press and hold it on a mobile device to confirm its destination.
• If unsure of the sender’s authenticity, verify their identity through official channels. Look for glaring red flags, such as urgent language, requests for personal information, or spelling mistakes.
• Block suspicious messages immediately and report them using your messaging app or service provider’s tools.

Additionally, you can file reports with authorities such as the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, ensuring text message scams are properly investigated and help protect others from similar threats. 

Protecting Your Text Messages Over Public Networks

Those who use public Wi-Fi networks are among the favorite targets of many hackers, so they are not a good choice for sensitive communications. We recommend using secure connections to keep your text message security settings intact. 

A virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to encrypt an internet connection and provide a safe sphere for your data. Otherwise, you can simply use your mobile carrier’s cellular network for safer connections. 

However, financial or personal information should not be sent across unprotected networks, even through VPNs. A VPN does not encrypt SMS or app-based messages—it only protects data in transit. 

Managing Privacy Settings and App Permissions

Information security, personal data protection, and data privacy all rely heavily on how you manage your apps’ permissions. Many applications request unnecessary permissions that can put your sensitive information at risk. 

Fortunately, some secure messaging apps come with built-in encryption, eliminating the need to learn how to encrypt text messages manually. However, there is no such thing as being too safe, so if needed, you can significantly enhance your privacy and security by carefully managing app permissions and choosing the right tools.

You can secure communication apps and minimize the chances of vulnerability by turning on sensitive features like your camera, microphone, and location only when needed. Setting privacy controls also helps in controlling what others see. You can also toggle off your last seen status for privacy or turn off read receipts. 

In addition, you need to be very wary of how text messaging apps share data. Many share user data with advertisers or third parties. Always read their policies on this and turn off those features if possible. 

We also recommend switching to a text application that allows encrypted messaging, further improving privacy and security. Examples of these apps are Signal and Telegram. 

Regular Maintenance: Deleting Messages and Updating Apps

Are you wondering how to secure text messages from hackers in ways that go above the other methods mentioned to protect text messages and keep text message privacy settings effective? If so, we recommend regular maintenance. 

You can help keep your text messages safe by deleting messages and updating the text app when needed. Updates often offer security patches that protect against emerging threats. If you delete your messages regularly, you reduce the possibility of information and privacy leaks. 

Fortunately, most messaging applications offer self-destructing messages that are deleted automatically after a certain time, which is ideal for keeping conversations safe.

Final Thoughts: Staying Proactive About Text Message Security

You can protect your text messages from global cybercriminals, such as Chinese hackers, phishing scams, and other threats, by employing smart habits and tools and taking FBI warning text messages seriously. Additionally, if you enable your encrypted messaging apps feature, configure text message privacy settings, or use safe messaging apps, you are taking safety steps to improve your security significantly in the long run.

At My Computer Works, we are committed to informing you on security matters in this ever-evolving digital landscape. For support or answers to questions about how to protect text messages from hackers and keep text messages private, let our experts help you. Contact My Computer Works. Let us help you secure your messages and lock down your digital life.