ALERT: FBI Warning to Iowans About Texting From iPhone & Android!

So, here's the deal: Messaging is about to get a whole lot trickier. While chatting on iMessage (iPhone to iPhone) or Google Messages (Android to Android) is secure, messaging between iPhone and Android users isn’t as safe as you might think.

Warnings, For You and You, and You and You and You!

This comes at a time when the FBI and CISA (the US government’s cyber defense agency) are urging Americans to step up their security game in the face of growing cyber threats. Why? Because China’s been hacking into US telecom networks, and they’re doing it on a scale that's more massive than previously thought. 

Now, you might be thinking, “What’s the big deal?” Well, even if you're texting with a supposedly “secure” app, if it’s not fully encrypted, someone could still potentially intercept your messages.

That’s where things get serious, especially with the FBI’s investigation into these hacking groups that have been stealing loads of data, including metadata from calls and texts. The main takeaway? If you want to be safe, use encrypted messaging apps. 

What is SMS?

SMS, or Short Message Service, is basically the OG of text messaging. It's how we’ve been sending short messages (usually 160 characters or less, because hey, who needs more than that? We do, but let's not get into that now) from one phone to another for years. It’s like the digital version of a quick note on a sticky pad—simple, fast, and effective.

Whether you're texting a friend, sending a quick work reminder, or awkwardly trying to cancel plans, SMS is there for you. It works on pretty much every mobile device and network, so if you've ever sent a text, chances are, you’ve used SMS.

No Wi-Fi is needed, and no fancy apps are needed—just pure, unadulterated texting in its most basic (but still pretty awesome) form. 

What's the Deal with Encryption?

Here’s the kicker: while platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, and even Facebook Messenger now offer encryption, RCS (the newer messaging system that’s supposed to replace SMS) doesn’t have end-to-end encryption when you’re texting between iPhone and Android.

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That means if someone is snooping around, your conversations could be at risk. It's kind of ironic, because Google and Apple are constantly pushing their users to use encryption, but RCS, despite being a big deal, still doesn’t protect cross-platform chats. 

NBC is reporting that the FBI and CISA aren’t just making recommendations here—they’re serious. They're telling people to use encrypted messaging apps wherever possible.

The good news is that WhatsApp and Signal, two of the best-encrypted platforms, let you send messages and make calls securely, no matter if you’re on Android or iPhone. So, if you want to keep your conversations private, ditch RCS for now and stick with the platforms that have encryption built in. 

It does seem a bit odd that the FBI tells you that you should use encryption. The FBI has been a bit wary of encryption because it can make their job harder when investigating criminals. But, their current advice is clear: encryption is your friend when it comes to defending against cyberattacks. 

Who is Salt Typhoon?

According to Wikipedia, Salt Typhoon, also known as GhostEmperor, FamousSparrow, and UNC2286 (because why settle on one name when you can have a whole collection?), is a high-tech hacker crew reportedly backed by the Chinese government.

They've been busy since 2020, mostly snooping around North America and Southeast Asia, swiping data, and snatching up network traffic like it's a Black Friday sale.  

So, what's the bottom line? If you’re texting across platforms, stick to fully encrypted services like WhatsApp or Signal. SMS and RCS are just not cutting it yet when it comes to security. And with all these hackers out there, it’s better to be safe than sorry! 

Also, while you're at it.  if you want to stay safe from scams this holiday, we've got ya covered here .  Happy Holidays!