The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have issued a strong warning to Americans, advising them to stop sending text messages between iPhones and Android devices and to switch to fully encrypted messaging apps. This comes in response to a wave of cyberattacks from Salt Typhoon, a Chinese hacking group linked to China’s Ministry of Public Security, targeting U.S. telecommunications networks and exposing vulnerabilities in critical communication systems.
CISA’s Jeff Greene highlighted the importance of using encrypted communication, emphasizing that even if intercepted, encrypted data remains unreadable, offering strong protection against cyber threats. Currently, messages sent between iPhones via iMessage and between Android devices using Google Messages are encrypted, but texts sent between the two platforms remain vulnerable due to the lack of end-to-end encryption in Rich Communication Services (RCS), which has yet to be fully secured.
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In light of this vulnerability, officials recommend switching to encrypted messaging apps such as Signal, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger, which provide end-to-end encryption for both messages and calls across devices. These apps ensure private, secure communication, especially important given the rising threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks.
The advisory highlights the urgent need for improved cybersecurity practices, with encryption at the forefront of defense. As Apple prepares to release its iOS 18.2 update, allowing users to change their default messaging app from iMessage, experts urge individuals to prioritize secure platforms like Signal or WhatsApp for cross-platform communication until universal encryption standards are in place.
