Why End-to-End Encryption May Not Be Enough

NEW YORK, May 18, 2022 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: In the 21st century, data security is a key part of our daily lives. However, the sheer amount of information we regularly share across the internet leaves us vulnerable to cyberattackers and other unscrupulous actors or threats to businesses and individuals. This realization has led to a broad range of approaches to data security. Since email and other types of messaging are among the most vulnerable elements within our digital lives, there is plenty of focus on these mediums.

The bottom line is that we regularly share our most sensitive data, including identity and payment details, through these mediums, and protecting that data is paramount. Thankfully, technologies such as end-to-end encryption are helping us achieve extremely high levels of security when sending and receiving messages, protecting our data, quite literally, from end to end.

Unfortunately, however, end-to-end security protocols can never keep us 100% safe, and risks remain in several areas despite the level of protection offered by these technologies. This article explores why even end-to-end encryption may not be enough in our fight against data leaks and other security breaches.

What is End-to-End Email Encryption?

At its most basic level, end-to-end encryption works by securing data at both the source and the destination. Using public and private keys, it encrypts the data before it is sent out (sender) and then unencrypts the data at the other end (receiver). It is generally regarded as the most secure type of encrypted email, providing robust data protection when it is in transit.

It is worth noting that this type of data protection is used for much more than encrypting emails. In fact, many instant messenger services, video communications apps, and social media platforms also use variations of end-to-end encryption to safeguard data across a broad range of communications channels.

The Limits of End-to-End Encryption

While end-to-end encryption is excellent for safeguarding data during transit, unfortunately, that's where its protection ends. In other words, while your data may be safe from man-in-the-middle attacks and other similar threats, if your computer, tablet, or cell phone is already compromised, it's possible that your data can be accessed upon receipt.

This means that anyone with backdoor access to your device can easily read and take any information received. Often, this is down to vulnerabilities within operating systems that are either unknown or unaddressed, essentially allowing a variety of malware to access your systems without your consent or knowledge.

In addition to this, end-to-end encryption is often beyond many people's skillset when it comes to email. The process of encrypting and decrypting information can be complicated and convoluted, leaving many people believing they are protected when in fact, they are not.

Taken together, it is clear that end-to-end encryption may not be enough to keep both businesses and individuals fully protected. Therefore, it remains imperative that we explore novel ways of data protection and continue to stay vigilant in the face of ever-evolving online threats.

Source: iQuanti, Inc.