Knowing the basics of digital privacy is important, and using a secure messaging app is one of the best ways to start. Telegram has a ton of privacy and security features, and you need to know how to use the app to get the most out of them.
These tips will help you use Telegram safely and securely, while getting the most out of the app's features. Telegram has different levels of safety and security, so you need to find the balance that works best for you.
1. Use Secret Chat to encrypt your messages
Regular chats on Telegram are not end-to-end encrypted by default. This feature needs to be enabled manually and should be the first thing you do after installing Telegram. However, if you use Telegram on multiple budget Android phones, you won't be able to move secret chats between them.
To start a secret chat, follow these steps:
1) Open Telegram.
2) Tap the pencil icon in the lower right corner.
3) Click New Secret Chat.
4) Select a contact to start a secret chat.
2. Enable two-step verification to prevent unauthorized access
Two-factor authentication is an important tool to effectively protect your accounts. Telegram offers a slightly different approach, requiring you to enter a separate password when logging into Telegram on a new device, along with the traditional 2FA method of sending an SMS code.
1) Open Telegram.
2) Tap the menu button in the upper left corner of the screen.
3) Click Settings.
4) Tap Privacy and Security.
5) Click 2-step verification.
6) Enter a password.
If you forget this password, your messages will not be accessible from other devices. Set recovery email when 2-step verification is enabled.
3. Disable active sessions on other devices
If you frequently switch between multiple devices, you may have multiple Telegram sessions open at the same time. Conversations across multiple devices are not end-to-end encrypted, so disable unnecessary sessions to keep them as secure as possible. It's easy to forget which device you're logged into, so Telegram lets you view and terminate active sessions from one device.
1) Open Telegram.
2) Tap the menu button in the upper left corner of the screen.
3) Click Settings.
4) Tap Privacy and Security.
5) Click Active Sessions.
6) Click to terminate all other sessions.
4. Send self-destructing media
Self-destructing media will disappear from chat after a certain amount of time. This is the easiest and most effective method if you are concerned about keeping individual messages private. You can send self-destructing media in regular and secret conversations.
1) Open Telegram.
2) Select Chat.
3) Tap the add-on icon in the lower right corner of the screen.
4) Select an existing image or capture a new one.
5) Tap the stopwatch button next to the send button.
6) Choose how long you want the media to last.
7) Click the send button.
5. Delete messages for ultimate privacy
Telegram allows you to delete messages in regular chats and group chats. While not social, this feature is a plus for privacy, especially if you lose one of your devices and want to make sure no one can read your private messages.
1) Open Telegram.
2) Open chat.
3) Long press any chat message.
4) Tap the delete button in the upper right corner of the screen.
5) Check the Delete also checkbox to delete it for others.
6) Click Delete.
6. Lock the Telegram app with a passcode
Let's say someone steals your phone while it's unlocked. Assuming they stay unlocked, they can still access your Telegram messages despite your encryption settings. This feature allows you to lock Telegram with a password, PIN or biometric authentication.
1) Open Telegram.
2) Tap the menu button in the upper left corner of the screen.
3) Click Settings.
4) Tap Privacy and Security.
5) Click Password Lock.
6) Click Enable Password.
7) Choose a password and click OK.
7. Use a proxy server to hide your IP address
There are many great VPNs for Android, but if you just want to hide your IP address for Telegram chats, you don't need one. Unlike those VPNs, this service is free.
Here's how to set up a Telegram proxy server:
1) Open Telegram.
2) Tap the menu button in the upper left corner of the screen.
3) Click Settings.
4) Click Data & Storage.
5) Scroll down and click Proxy Settings.
6) Click Add Proxy.
8. Double check your group permissions
Large groups pose a security risk. Managing your group permissions can help minimize risk by preventing people from adding other people to groups.
1) Open Telegram.
2) Tap the menu button in the upper left corner of the screen.
3) Click Settings.
4) Tap Privacy and Security.
5) Click Groups.
6) Change Everyone to My Contacts.
Bon Voyage
