NEW MESSAGING GUIDELINES RELEASED

Megan Poljacik • February 25, 2025

You may have heard recently that the FBI and Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency are recommending cell phone users use end to end encryption when sending text messages. Why are they doing this and how does it affect you and your business?


In December of 2024 authorities revealed that Chinese hackers have breached at least 8 major telecom network infrastructures, including those of Verizon and AT&T. Known as Salt Typhoon, the nefarious actors used a “back door” that is used by U.S. foreign intelligence surveillance systems (yes that’s legal wiretapping). Senior officials within the US Government have admitted the hackers have had access since summer of 2024. It appears that they focused heavily on users in the Washington DC area.



As of late December, AT&T and Verizon have stated that their networks are now secure, but the FBI is still recommending that all cell phone users use end to end encryption when using messaging apps. Many organizations use messaging to communicate with customers and employees, so what does this mean for your business?


Take note of of the devices you are using. iMessages between iPhones use end to end encryption by default. Most Android to Android text messages are as well, as long as the service is not using RCN. It is important to note that iPhone to Android Messages are not encrypted. It is recommended that you use a trusted third party, such as Signal or Telegram for any cross-platform messaging. Be sure to read the fine print with these apps, as Telegram end-to-end encryption is not enabled by default and you must manually enable ‘secret chats’ on each conversation. Telegram’s data is encrypted between you and the server, but true end-to-end (only sender and recipient can decrypt) must be manually enabled on Telegram. With Signal, end to end is the default. 


In conclusion, using end-to-end encryption for business messaging is just another tool to protect your business from nefarious actors. It keeps sensitive communications safe and private, which helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access and cyber threats, allowing you to maintain operational integrity.

Uncomplicate IT News Blog

IMPACTFUL VIRUSES IN HISTORY: STUXNET

By Megan Poljacik • July 31, 2025
In the early 2000s, tensions in the middle east were on the rise. Iran’s government had begun expanding its uranium enrichment capabilities, insisting it was for nuclear energy purposes. However many countries around the globe feared it was a coverup for a nuclear weapons program. Despite pressure from United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran continued to enrich uranium. Frustrations reached a fever pitch and it appeared a conflict was imminent, until a mysterious solution came from a completely unexpected source: the Stuxnet Computer Worm.

DARK WEB MONITORING: ESSENTIAL SAFEGUARD OR WASTED SPEND?

By Megan Poljacik • June 26, 2025
With growing concerns about data breaches and stolen credentials, many businesses feel pressured to invest in services that claim to scan the dark web for leaked information. But before committing resources, it's worth asking whether these tools actually provide meaningful information or if they are an unproductive expenditure. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that you can’t reach with standard browsers or search engines. It operates using a system called Tor, which stands for The Onion Router. Tor keeps users anonymous by sending their internet traffic through several different servers around the world, encrypting the data each time. This makes it extremely difficult to trace who someone is or where they’re connecting from. Unlike regular websites that end in .com or .org, dark web sites usually end in .onion and require the Tor browser to access them. While some people use the dark web for legitimate reasons like protecting their privacy or avoiding censorship, it’s mostly associated with hosting illegal activities like online black markets, where stolen corporate data is sold.

PENETRATION TESTING VS VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT

By Megan Poljacik • May 29, 2025
When it comes to protecting your company’s infrastructure, two commonly used terms often cause confusion: vulnerability management and penetration testing. While they both serve the same purpose of keeping your data secure, they work very differently. Think of your company’s IT infrastructure like a museum that stores priceless artifacts. To keep it secure, you wouldn’t just install locks and hope for the best. You’d want to routinely check those locks, ensure windows are closed properly, and perhaps even hire someone to test how easy it is to break in. This is basically the difference between vulnerability management and penetration testing.