Today, electronic communication is ubiquitous, so the ability to capture and archive mobile communications is crucial.
As internet and mobile services have become more accessible in recent years, the opportunities available to the public have also expanded dramatically. From the standpoint of network operators who dominated the calling and messaging services, we now have instant messaging applications that provide these services for free. People now send messages for anything and everything using IM applications, whereas once they thought twice about sending SMS. WhatsApp, WeChat, and Telegram are examples of such applications that are becoming more popular every day.
WhatsApp supports both Android and iOS. This application can also run on a PC as a web-based application. WhatsApp has a straight-forward simple user interface. Thus, a new user of WhatsApp will find it easier to set up an account. Millions of people use this messaging application for personal and business purposes.
The security features of WhatsApp
Disappearing messages
WhatsApp launched a new feature, which, if not handled properly, can damage the reputation of businesses due to the loss of vital information. Users can use this feature to send disappearing messages on WhatsApp. After seven days, new messages in a group or individual chat disappear if the feature is enabled. Previously sent or received messages would not be affected by this setting. In one-on-one chat, either of the two people can now turn it on or off. Only admins can turn it on or off in group chats.
A Jefferies Group banker also faced discipline in the past for using WhatsApp when he had used the mobile chat app for boasting about the potential for an M&A deal to pay off his mortgage. He shared confidential client information on WhatsApp several times in the previous year. The result of this was his resignation in 2016 and a fine of $52,000 (£37,000) levied by the Financial Conduct Authority in 2017.
To protect the business and grow the trust of stakeholders, proactive measures to safeguard recorded information are vital. TeleMessage offers the ability to secure the copy of business-related information exchanged on WhatsApp, WeChat, Telegram, or Signal, the leading IM applications.
WhatsApp Web security
When users link their WhatsApp account to a computer, WhatsApp will increasingly require fingerprints or face recognition. To scan the QR code on WhatsApp Web or the desktop app, users will first use their face or fingerprint. Criminals, hackers, and scammers have taken advantage of this lack of two-factor authorization to promote malicious software disguised as WhatsApp desktop applications in the past.
Two-step verification
Keep your WhatsApp account secure by enabling this security feature. A six-digit PIN is required to reset and verify a WhatsApp account when this feature is enabled. You can change this in the Settings section.
Block, report users
The WhatsApp app allows users to block contacts, so they cannot see any updates from that other person. Such updates include last-seen online status or profile pictures. When a message is sent to a blocked contact, only one checkmark will appear. The app also allows users to report spam and delete messages.
Fingerprint, face unlock
Touch ID and Face ID, as well as fingerprints, can be used to lock the app. WhatsApp can also lock you out automatically once you close the application.
WhatsApp End-to-End Encryption
Each WhatsApp chat is labeled as “end-to-end encrypted” by default. It means that all messages, calls, and status updates are maintained between the sender and receiver only. Whenever you exchange messages between two WhatsApp contacts, a designated security code ensures the privacy of the conversations.
Hidden Security Threats
How secure are the messages sent on WhatsApp?
An Indian cybersecurity company reported that sensitive data, including credit card numbers and frequent flyer information, was stolen from 4.5 million airline customers. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team reported over 1.55 million cybersecurity incidents in 2019 and 2020.
As of the first half of 2021, 118.6 million people had experienced a security breach, data leak, or data exposure, just 38 percent of the total 310 million victims in 2020. Malicious software disguised as WhatsApp desktop applications in the past. The installation of one of these can harm your computer.
Phishing websites may have tricked you into providing your personal information. These websites appear to be WhatsApp Webs and ask for your phone number to connect. The number is to bombard you with spam or correlate it with other leaks and hacks on the internet.
Without a doubt, end-to-end encryption makes it much more difficult for hackers to read WhatsApp messages. WhatsApp can, however, be hacked in a variety of ways. Companies are often unaware of the risks of privacy, security, and compliance posed by consumer messaging apps in the workplace. Due to the increasing number of security breaches and cyber-attacks targeting business sectors, you must ensure that your company’s data is encrypted and securely stored.
A Cyber Risk team found two third-party Facebook app datasets on the public internet in April. On April 20, 2021, a free leak of this database was posted on the dark web, opening the way for criminal exposure. Among the most recent hacks, this Facebook hack is one of the most significant in 2021.
The leakage of sensitive data by government agencies can have a tremendous impact on their operations. So, for any organization that allows its workers to use mobile devices for communication—capturing and archiving mobile text messages—is the first step toward ensuring mobile compliance. Organizations must assess public records archiving mandates of regulatory standards to achieve this.
Protect your company from a data breach by monitoring employee communications.
Most cybersecurity measures are implemented to prevent data leakage. Since electronic communication is so ubiquitous in modern times, capturing and archiving mobile communications plays an important role in preventing data leakage. Efforts range from archiving text messages on Android and iOS devices to archiving Signal messages. For businesses to conduct e-discovery, preserving all data in a centralized, unified location is the most effective method.
All electronic communications must be captured and archived to prevent insider threats by employees. Proactive monitoring of employee communications can detect data breaches. Keeping records and maintaining mobile compliance is made possible by monitoring text messages, calls, and archiving such electronic communication.
About TeleMessage
TeleMessage captures and retains mobile content, including mobile SMS messages, voice calls, as well as, WhatsApp, and WeChat conversations and calls over corporate or BYOD mobile phones. TeleMessage enables organizations to ensure compliance with various recordkeeping data protection regulations while allowing their employees to communicate over mobile channels. Mobile messages can be forwarded securely and reliably to your organization’s archiving data storage vendor.
Our mobile archiving products securely record content from mobile carriers and mobile devices for various ownership models (BYOD, CYOD, and employer-issued). With our multiple archiving solutions, you can always find the right tools or blend for your requirements:
- Network Archiver
- Enterprise Number Archiver
- Android Archiver
- WhatsApp Archiver
- WeChat Archiver
- Signal Archiver
- Telegram Archiver
TeleMessage offers cross-carrier and international mobile text & calls archiving for corporate and BYOD phones. Visit our website at www.telemessage.com to learn more about our mobile archiving products.
