The United States government is asking senior government and political officials to use only encrypted communication as concerns grow about what the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has called a “significant cyber espionage campaign” led by the Chinese government.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued guidance this week on how to avoid the theft of private communication for “highly targeted” individuals, identified as senior government and senior political figures.
The guidance follows an investigation opened by the FBI and CISA last month looking into suspected cyber espionage targeting the country’s telecommunications infrastructure with connections to the People’s Republic of China. The agencies have said that those targeted were a limited number of people, primarily involved in political activity. However, the hackers may still be at work and the government is asking all smartphone users to be cautious of their communication methods.
The CISA is encouraging highly targeted individuals to use only encrypted communication for the time being. Here’s what to know about end-to-end encrypted communication and what steps all smartphone users can take to protect their data.
End-to-end encryption is a security method in which data can only be accessed by users participating in the communication. No one else, like telecommunication or internet providers, can access the communication.
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Essentially, when data is encrypted, it is scrambled around to create what is known as ciphertext, according to Encryption Consulting. Only a secret key can “unlock,” or decrypt the data. This key is a unique, random string of characters, like a password.
Apple’s iMessage, Meta’s WhatsApp and Google Messages all encrypt data. Signal is another free encryption software that allows users to share texts, videos, photos and files.
Short Message Service, more commonly known as SMS, is not encrypted. This is because when SMS was released − the first text message was sent in 1992 − digital security concerns were not as great as they are today. Additionally, encryption software was not as robust.
SMS messages travel through the cellular network, making them vulnerable to interception by hackers.
In addition to encrypting communications, the CISA recommends the following practices:
The CISA recommends that iPhone users take the following steps to protect mobile communications:
The CISA recommends that Android users take the following steps:
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].

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