No matter what age you are, you're probably texting your friends all the time. Admittedly, the younger you are, the more you're texting, but even I find myself texting friends and coworker's multiple times a day, every workday and I do this with the expectation that my texts are secure. No surprise, that is not necessarily the case. 

According to msn.com,
The FBI and CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) have decided to issue a warning to both Android and iOS users who text each other. Yes, this is related to RCS (Rich Communication Services), and it’s Apple’s fault, basically.’ 

Woman using smartphone
PredragImages
loading...

The culprit is RCS. (Rich communications services). Among other things, this provides you with encrypted communication. If you're texting from one Android phone to another Android phone. However, the RCS protocol is different for Apple iOS so, any texting you do if you're an iPhone user to an Android user or vice versa is not Protected. 

OK, for the average person this is not a big deal. However, this does leave an opening for hackers. 

OK, don't freak out. 

There are a lot of apps out there that enable you to have encrypted texts as long as you're sending that text to another person that has that same app, not a problem. You've got Telegram, Signal, Messenger and of course WhatsApp.  

Angry woman gesturing next to indifferent husband texting
Scott Griessel/Creatista
loading...

With China potentially hacking websites, phones and other digital communications it's probably a safe bet that Apple will eventually get their stuff together and fix their RCS protocol. 

I'm not particularly worried about the Chinese finding out that today is donut day.  

Or was that yesterday? 

FBI has a warning for Android & iOS users who text each other
How to make sure texts and calls are encrypted after the FBI's warning about Chinese hackers
FBI issues urgent warning to iPhone and Android users to stop sending texts 

How To Stop Text Spams

Gallery Credit: Lou Russo


Don't get fooled: Here's 24 scam texts I received in just one month

Although some may be humorous, others appear legit. Here are 24 texts I received in just one month's time, as well as one I'm surprised I never got.

Spam texts are listed in the same order that was received.

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant


How To Report and Block Spam Texts

Spam phone calls are annoying and spam texts are even worse. Check out these easy steps to report and block spam texts.

Gallery Credit: Dave Fields

 

More From NewsRadio 560 KPQ