Stay Safe: How to Use Secret Messaging Apps
When things get scary or confusing—like during a big storm, protest, or emergency—it’s really important to talk safely. Some apps help you send secret messages that only the person you’re talking to can see. This helps protect your plans and keep you and others safe.
Here are some of the safest apps and how to use them the smart way:
1. Signal
What it is: Signal is one of the most trusted messaging apps. Lots of reporters, human rights workers, and everyday people use it to stay safe.
What it does:
- Secret messages: Your messages are scrambled so only the person you’re talking to can read them.
- Disappearing messages: You can make your messages vanish after a while.
- Doesn’t save your chats: Signal doesn’t keep a list of who you talked to or what you said.
Why it’s not good enough for secret battle plans: Even though Signal is really safe for most people, it’s not strong enough for things like war secrets or government plans. That’s because:
- You have to use a phone number to sign up.
- Hackers or spies might still figure out who is talking, even if they can’t read the message.
- Some governments can force phone companies to give away information.
How to use Signal safely:
- Turn on disappearing messages so your chats don’t stay forever.
- Use “Sealed Sender” to help hide who sent the message.
- Check your friend’s “security number” in person to make sure no one is pretending to be them.
2. Briar
What it is: Briar is a cool app that works without the internet!
What it does:
- Sends messages directly from your phone to your friend’s phone.
- Works with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, even if there’s no cell service.
- Doesn’t need a phone number or email to sign up.
How to use Briar safely:
- Use it when you can’t get on the internet.
- Only share your Briar code in person so nobody fakes being you.
- Lock your phone—Briar saves your chats on the phone itself.
3. Session
What it is: Session helps you stay private without giving your name or number.
What it does:
- Doesn’t need a phone number to make an account.
- Sends your messages through a bunch of secret paths (like a maze), kind of like Tor.
- Harder for anyone to trace where the message came from.
How to use Session safely:
- Don’t use your real name or info.
- Keep your Session ID private so strangers don’t message you.
- Update the app often so it stays safe.
Smart Safety Tips for Any App
No matter what app you use, here are some good habits to keep your messages private:
- Use strong passwords and turn on extra login protection (called 2FA).
- Delete old chats so they don’t get found later.
- Don’t use public Wi-Fi unless you have a VPN.
- Update your app when it tells you to—it fixes problems.
- Don’t click on weird links or pictures in messages from people you don’t know.
Wrap-Up
These apps help you talk to friends and family without being watched. They aren’t perfect, but they’re way better than regular texting when you need to stay private. Just remember: even a great tool only works well if you use it the right way.