As texted information becomes an increasingly large part of communication, it’s important to be aware of the safety protocols of the different types of text messaging available to you. The FBI is warning smartphone owners to use end-to-end encrypted texting methods to avoid what appears to be a much larger amount of Chinese hacking than the bureau previously understood. Forbes’s Zak Doffman reports:
Timing is everything. Just as Apple’s adoption of RCS had seemed to signal a return to text messaging versus the unstoppable growth of WhatsApp, then along comes a surprising new hurdle to stop that in its tracks. While messaging Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone is secure, messaging from one to the other is not.
Now even the FBI and CISA, the US cyber defense agency, are warning Americans to use fully encrypted messaging and phone calls where they can. The backdrop is the Chinese hacking of US networks that is reportedly “ongoing and likely larger in scale than previously understood.” Fully encrypted comms is the best defense against this compromise, and Americans are being urged to use that wherever possible.
The network cyberattacks, attributed to Salt Typhoon, a group associated with China’s Ministry of Public Security, has generated heightened concern as to the vulnerabilities within critical US communication networks. The reality is different. Without fully end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls, there has always been a potential for content to be intercepted. That’s the entire reason the likes of Apple, Google and Meta advise its use, highlighting the fact that even they can’t see content.
As reported by Politico, advice given by CISA’s Jeff Greene and an unnamed FBI senior official included “strongly urging Americans to ‘use your encrypted communications where you have it… we definitely need to do that, kind of look at what it means long-term, how we secure our networks’.”
On its support page, Apple explains the various forms of texting available on iPhones and what level of security they possess:
What is the difference between iMessage, RCS, and SMS/MMS?
You can use the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple Vision Pro to send messages. Those messages are sent as iMessage, RCS, or SMS/MMS. Learn more about the difference between the message types.iMessage
Blue bubbles show a message has been sent with iMessage.
iMessages can be sent to another iPhone or another Apple device over Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks. With iMessage, you can send texts, high resolution photos and videos, documents, links, Tapbacks, text effects, Live Stickers, message effects, and more. iMessage supports delivery and read receipts and typing indicators. iMessages appear in blue text bubbles on your device.When you use iMessage, your conversations are encrypted end-to-end, so they can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.
To turn iMessage on or off, go to Settings > Apps > Messages.
If Wi-Fi is unavailable, iMessages will be sent over cellular data. Cellular data rates might apply.
RCS
In iOS 18, you can send RCS messages from your iPhone — these appear as green bubbles.
If you aren’t using iMessage, you can use RCS. RCS text messages can be sent to non-Apple devices as well as another iPhone or another Apple device with Text Message Forwarding turned on. With RCS, you can send texts, high resolution photos and videos, links, and more. RCS also supports delivery and read receipts and typing indicators. RCS messages appear in green text bubbles on your device.Apple’s implementation of RCS is based on the industry’s standard. RCS messages aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third-party reading them while they’re sent between devices.
RCS is a carrier-provided service. When your device connects to your cellular network, it communicates with your carrier and their partners to set up RCS. User identifiers are exchanged for your carrier and their partners to authenticate your device and provide a connection. These identifiers could include but are not limited to your IMEI, IMSI, current IP address, and phone number. Your current IP address might also be shared with other RCS users.
To use RCS, you need iOS 18 and a text-messaging plan from a carrier that supports RCS on iPhone. Contact your wireless carrier for more information.
To turn RCS on or off, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging.
Learn whether your carrier supports RCS messaging on iPhone
There may be a delay of a few hours in activating RCS.
SMS/MMS
Green bubbles show a message has been sent as a text message.
If you aren’t using iMessage or RCS, you can use SMS/MMS. SMS and MMS text messages can be sent to non-Apple devices as well as another iPhone or another Apple device with Text Message Forwarding turned on. With SMS/MMS, you can send texts, photos and videos, links, and more. SMS/MMS messages appear in green text bubbles on your device.SMS/MMS messages aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third-party reading them while they’re sent between devices.
SMS and MMS are carrier-provided services. When your device connects to your cellular network, it communicates with your carrier. User identifiers are exchanged for your carrier to authenticate your device. These identifiers could include but are not limited to your IMEI, IMSI, current IP address, and phone number.
To use SMS/MMS on an iPhone, you need a text-messaging plan that supports these services. Contact your wireless carrier for more information.
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