Introduced by several prominent instant text messaging brands such as WhatsApp and Telegram, being able to encrypted text messages is one of the major game-changers when it comes to your internet and data safety. Disappearing text messages you send using WhatsApp, Telegram, and Ramnia are powered by very similar end-to-end encryption technology which when compared to similar technologies of this kind is the best technology what we have today at our disposal.
For instance, when you communicate with friends or family members using standard SMS messaging services, your messages are not encrypted. In other words, when you send an SMS, the content of your private messages is not as safe as when you send disappearing text messages that use the best end-to-end encryption. When you send an SMS message, its content can be seen by governments, mobile carriers, online businesses, and hackers who know how and have the means to intercept such messages.
SMS Messaging Vs Disappearing Text Messages
SMS messaging which stands for short message service has been around for quite some time or more specifically since 1985. SMS messaging is a messaging service for sending short text messages and since it was invented back in the 80s, it is one of the oldest text messaging services. Similar to SMS is MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) which uses the same technology that powers SMS. When you send an MMS, you send pictures or some other multimedia content such as video and audio files.
On the other hand, when you send an SMS, you cannot send any kind of multimedia content but only a text message. Both MMS and SMS are sent over cellular networks, users just need some plan given by their cellular carriers to send both SMS and MMS. There are some limitations to SMS and MMS messaging. For instance, SMS text messages are limited to one hundred and sixty characters and if your text message exceeds this limit, your SMS message is broken into two or more messages with the upper limit of one hundred and sixty characters.
When it comes to MMS messaging, 300 KB is the maximum size of a picture, audio file, or some other multimedia file you can send this way. As opposed to SMS messaging, we have powerful, widely used OTT applications (Over The Top) apps such as iMessage, WeChat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and such which are not associated with any kind of cellular network connection but required internet protocols (IPs).
Unlike SMS and MMS messaging, using WhatsApp, Facebook, or other services of this kind lets you send disappearing text messages which cannot be accessed and viewed by anyone other than the intended recipient. The bottom line, it is much safer to send disappearing text messages using WhatsApp, Ramnia, and similar services as all messages sent this way are one hundred percent safe and protected from hackers, third-parties, and anyone else who is not the intended recipient.
What are OTT Applications?
OTT or Over-the-Top-Application is any service or app which provides tools, or products of any kind on the internet. In this sense, all OTT applications out there bypass those traditional distribution channels as everything they offer is accessed via the internet. The vast majority of OTT applications are related to online communication and media such as Skype that replaces cellular providers and Netflix that replaces standard TV providers.
As previously mentioned, to use any kind of OTT application for sending disappearing text messages, your texting device requires an internet connection via mobile internet connection or WiFi. Some services of this kind that let your send disappearing text messages work only on iOS-powered devices such as iMessage. Others such as WhatsApp, Ramnia, and Facebook Messenger work on both iOS and Android devices.
To use WhatsApp, WeChat, or some other OTT app that lets you send disappearing text messages:
- Download the app from the Google Play or App Store
- Install the respective app on your portable device
- Verify your contact list from your mobile device
- Turn on the disappearing text messages feature
- Compose your message, and press the send button
- Send Disappearing Text Messages
SMS and MMS messaging are completely different text messaging options that use differing protocols, different platforms, and have different network requirements. To send disappearing text messages using any of those previously listed instant messaging services, you need to get a mobile app, and depending on your mobile devices, you get it from the Play Store or App Store. If you want to use Ramnia to send private, end-to-end encrypted disappearing text messages, get the app from here.
Navigate to the designated box for composing your encrypted, self destruct message, set an optional password if you like, and press on the create a Secret Link button located below. Once you have created your Secret Link, send it to your friend, family member, or anyone else. In addition to being able to send disappearing text messages protected by the best, military-grade encryption technology, Ramnia also allows you to send self destruct photos as well as a self destruct video and disappearing files that are powered by the same technology.
If you want to use WhatsApp to send disappearing text messages, get the app and install it on your portable or desktop device. Once here, make sure you enable sending the disappearing text messages option. Once you enable this option, your messages sent using the service in both group and individual chats will be removed from your chats after seven days.
Other services out there with the same option work very similar to WhatsApp. Signal is another service of this kind that lets you send disappearing text messages. The service works on iOS, Android, and desktop devices. Just like with WhatsApp, when you send disappearing text messages using Signal, the intended recipient or recipient can access and view the content of your messages until the predetermined expiration date comes and the message is completely removed and nobody can view it again. Lastly, we always recommend you use such services over standard online communication options to keep everything sensitive and confidential private and safe.