5 Easy Ways to Encrypt your Online Communication
What is encryption?
Encryption is when you take a bunch of data, turn it into indecipherable mumbo jumbo, and only the right password – a decryption key – can take the data back to its readable state.
It is a process used to make sure that only certain people have access to certain data. A hacker would have real trouble reading your emails if your emails are encrypted – even if the hacker has your email password.
Almost everything important today is stored in a digital form and any movement leaves some kind of online data trail – at least if you own a smartphone. That’s why encryption is an essential digital security measure to keep data safe from unauthorized access.
In this article, we’ll explore 5 simple tips for making sure your online communications remain as private as possible.
1. Encrypt Your Email
You can disguise the content of your emails so that it becomes a totally puzzling mix-up that only you have the key to solve. A lot of popular email providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Mail, already offer built-in encryption options when it comes to sending and receiving emails. You can also check out dedicated email encryption services and software. Only the sender and chosen receiver gets to see the real message when you use end-to-end encryption for email – a factor that frustrates hackers, as well as governments and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
2. Encrypt Your Devices
External computer drives, iPhones, Android phones, PCs and Macs – they all have built-in encryption options where you can set up passwords to unlock devices or folders while decrypting device data simultaneously. If your stolen phone is encrypted then all the thief can do to use the device is to erase all data and reset to factory settings – your private data stays safe. If you don’t encrypt your device data, then anyone unauthorized who happens across your laptop or phone can access pretty much everything with a few taps and clicks.
3. Use Encrypted Messaging Apps
If you don’t use end-to-end encryption, your private message conversations are vulnerable to cybercriminals, governments and companies – all craving for private data for their own purposes. There is a wide range of free encrypted messaging apps which can offer higher protection for critical communication data. What’s even better is that most of these apps also offer end-to-end encryption for phone calls made within the app, as well as privacy protection for file exchanges between app contacts.
4. Use Encrypted Video Chat Software
Video conferencing revolutionized the way we travel, live and work forever and important business meetings and collaboration can now happen anytime – anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. This is what allows our company to connect it team (teams of developers) in one country with clients in another. But for increased security while video conferencing – to make it almost impossible for anyone unauthorized to watch and listen on your potentially confidential online meetings – check out these tools for encrypted video conferences.
5. Hide Your Location When Necessary
The easiest way to hide your whereabouts and ensure that you cannot be tracked by your cell phone is to turn it off and remove the battery. If that’s not an option, you can disable your phone’s GPS, cellular and Wi-Fi transmitters to stop the device from tracking your location and still be able to use the device for other things. It’s also possible to tweak location tracking parameters on individual apps both for iPhones and Androids. When it comes to telling Google to stop following you around, it takes a little bit more digging work.
At Bocasay, offshore software outsourcing company, we always keep apace of the latest technological innovations and trends, especially with regards to ones that affect everyday life and business. When you partner with Bocasay, you can rest assured that you will be receiving technology that is current, tested, and above all secure for your offshore development.
