How valuable is your own personal security? If you're anything like me the answer is very valuable and you take measures to ensure you, and your family, are as safe as possible; From known and unknown threats. I mean, you all have a fire evacuation plan for the household and a first aid kit together with the ability to use it...Right? That's the minimum I'd say although it goes far deeper than that of course.
Ok, cool, so you have that sorted...But what about the security of your information?
In this tech-loaded digital world it's an area that many either ignore or discount as a non-risk because apple advertise that security is their priority. Yeah right apple, I don't believe you..Which is why I hate your phones so passionately that I use a Samsung.
Anyway, with this in mind I've been testing a messenger service called Threema with one of my brothers; The intention is to replace the Facebook-owned WhatsApp messenger service for communications between my family members.
For the last several weeks we've been trying it out and have come to the conclusion that it is legit.
It does what we need it to do including voice calls, image, video and file transfers and is heavily encrypted. No phone numbers need to exchange between users either, all you need is my Threema ID and you can add me for instance...Without knowing my mobile number.
The only thing it doesn't do is video chat however we are hoping that element may come with future versions of the app.
Last night I set my wife's account up, a process that is quite easy to do.
She knew I was playing around with it and had wondered why I was bothering...As soon as I told her that WhatsApp was owned and operated by Facebook she was on board though - She has a zero-digital footprint and is not on any social media. The look of horror on her face once she knew FB owned WA was amusing...So, she's on Threema now and has taken to it well - It's really quite intuitive to operate.
Threema isn't as slick as WhatsApp, I'll admit. It's not far off though and provides users with a much greater level of security and comfort. Yes, I know some don't care about cyber-security feeling completely safe whilst exposing their lives (and bodies) all over the social medias, but that's not really our style. Neither of us has Facebook etc.
I don't think a person can truly hope to be completely cyber-safe these days. Everything is on a server somewhere I guess, your bank details, passwords, date of birth tax file number, social security number, passport...Everything. It's a little disturbing really. I work in an industry where I often gain people's personal details and sometimes shudder at how it's retained within the office.
Is my attempt at securing my direct-messaging a pitiful attempt to find a feeling of security? Yeah probably, however if this small feeling of security is all I can gain then I'll take it.
If you're interested in the app it is available on the Play Store and App Store plus has a desk top site also. You'll have to pay for it, $4.99AUD though, but that's not too bad an amount to regain some control of your information I think. I can attest to its operational integrity and stability; It is fast, and easy to navigate. I will be phasing WhatsApp out from here using only the video call aspect until Threema release their own.
So, follow the link above to read more about it. I have purposely not said much about the app itself as I think each of us must do our own research. It's worth a look though and securing your security securely can't be a bad thing right?
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An original post written by a human
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