What if we could send an encrypted message that self-destructs after a certain amount of time? Is this possible?

The answer is yes, and not only that, it’s already happening. This is the concept behind an encrypted message called self-destructing messages. It’s meant for people who want to have some peace of mind in knowing their private note messages can’t be hacked or viewed by unintended recipients.

What Are Encrypted Self-Destructing Messages?

Self-destructing messages are a secure way to send an encrypted message quickly and easily. That’s why self-destructing apps like Snapchat became popular very quickly. Self-destructing messages are often sent through messaging apps, instant messaging (IM), or social media. Any form of communication is applicable.

With encrypted self-destructing messages, you can send a message to a friend or family member and it will self-destruct once it’s opened. Messages are usually deleted five seconds or less after it’s been viewed.

How Do They Work?

A self-destructing message works in the following way. These messages get sent to people through regular texting, however, the way in which they’re created is significantly different than regular texting.

It’s not like sending an email to a friend. With a self-destructing message, you’ll need to send one image or video. The message will then be sent to the receiver who will have five seconds to open it. If they don’t, the message self-destroys.

What Is Beneath Encrypted Self-Destructing Messages?

Cryptography, or how messages are encrypted, is often overlooked in this case, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important at all.

Self-destructing messages have nothing to do with cryptography. In fact, they don’t use any encryption at all. A self-destructing message is merely a message that self-destructs itself. With self-destructing messages, there are no secret keys and no shared secrets.

Instead, the creation of this message is always one and the same. The process involves taking a single video or image file and sending it to your contact with a timer on it. There’s no need to share keys, secret messages and advanced communication method here.

What Are The Advantages Of Self-Destroying Messages?

One obvious disadvantage of self-destructing messages is there’s no encryption involved. But, what does that mean? Well, there are many advantages of self-destructing messages as well. Let’s take a look at some of them.

It’s Quicker

Self-destructing messages are speedy because they don’t rely on any sort of encryption technology. There’s no need to wait for someone to send you a message before you can read it. You’ll be able to view it after it’s been sent, so there’s no delay in getting a message at all.

No Long Need For Secret Keys

With self-destructing messages, you don’t have to worry about keeping any sort of key in your possession. Because there’s no encryption involved, there’s not much that you need to do. In fact, all you have to do is send a single image or video and your message will be sent through immediately.

It’s Easier Than Encrypting A Message Yourself

Self-destructing messages are easier to create than any encrypted message that you could ever create on your own. This is because you don’t have to deal with anything related to encryption at all. There’s no need to deal with any virtual key or key creation. You literally just have to take a single picture or video and send it through. It’s that simple.

No Need for Secret Passwords Or Code Words

Self-destructing messages don’t need anything like secret passwords or codes used for encryption because there are none. There’s no reason for you to create your own secret code, so there’s no need for you to do that at all.