In recent years, as a result of the rise in account theft and other cyber-crimes, instant messaging platforms ranging from WhatsApp to Instagram have boasted about the unbreachable end-to-end encryption data security feature which guarantees user privacy while on their platforms.
What Does End-to-End Encryption Mean?
To begin with, let’s start by decoding the meaning of the technical term “encryption.” The self-explaining word refers to the turning of data into something that cannot be understood end-to-end. Encryption refers to the act of applying encryption to messages on one device such that only the device that receives the encrypted message can decipher it. Therefore, since the message travels all the way from the sender in encrypted form, it cannot be intercepted by any third party, including that application saver as well.
What Does End-to-End Encryption Protect Against?
Just to state the obvious, we all now have a picture of what end-to-end encryption is and how it works, but how does it help you? The security feature prevents governments from snooping and stalking on your messages, thereby giving you the freedom to express yourself without fear of retribution. End-to-end encryption ensures the privacy of your communication.
Perhaps you may wonder why you are always receiving decrypted messages on your device; rest assured that your message was not tempered with, as the message would have already been successfully decrypted. All massaging applications have this setting on by default.
Despite providing all these security measures for you, end-to-end encryption has its limitations. Despite hiding the contents of your messages online, it cannot protect your messages if someone gains access to your device. This is why it is important to have your massaging platforms restricted with a pin or fingerprint verification.
