FAQs

What is XMS?
Xecure Message Service (XMS) is the name of the technology behind our mobile software that enables end-to-end security and trust in mobile messaging. It encrypts and decrypts your mobile messages as well as provides the trust elements of confidentiality, integrity, non repudiation and authentication to your mobile messages.

Why do I need security and trust for my SMSes?

Currently mobile messages can easily be intercepted and read or altered by hackers and business competitors. There is no assurance of privacy nor can the medium be used to conduct business/financial transactions. PrivateXMS provides end to end security in mobile messaging via authentication, key management and encryption.

What is PrivateXMS?

PrivateXMS is the name of the P2P (Peer to Peer) XMS software that can be downloaded from the web and sits on your mobile handset to enable end to end security and trust in mobile messaging with the people you are communicating with.

Where can I get PrivateXMS?

You can get it from our online PrivateXMS Webstore www.privatexms.com

Do both individuals need PrivateXMS in order to communicate securely?

Yes. Both individuals need to have the application on their phones so that they can send and receive messages securely.

How does PrivateXMS work?

Before you can start using PrivateXMS, the software must be installed on both phones followed by a pairing process.

On sending your first XMS message to another person, a pairing process under the option called “PairMe” will take place. This is normal for PKI based encryption technology.

In essence, when you install XMS on your phone, two keys are generated. One key is kept secret on you phone and is called the Private key. Another key is sent out to other people and is called the Public Key. Only the Public Key can encrypt / decrypt messages by the Private Key. Thus, if you have somebody else's public key, you can send a message that only they can decrypt with their private key. This is why you have to 'pair up' via PrivateXMS's PairMe function before sending any PrivateXMS messages. Each contact only need to be paired once. Is

PrivateXMS bound to my handset or my phone number?

PrivateXMS uses phone number as unique identification to establish the security and trust channel and not the handphone.

Does PrivateXMS protect my messages while they are inside my mobile handset as well?

Yes, PrivateXMS offers complete security and trust for end to end message communication both 'at rest' (in your mobile handset) and 'over the air' (when the message is being sent).
XMS messages that you have written or received remain encrypted at all times and only accessible with the password that only you are aware of.

Should there be interception or spoofing, the messages will remain encrypted hence there is no compromise.

Is PrivateXMS supported by most of the handphone models?

At the moment, most Symbian Series 60, UIQ, and Java enabled (MIDP 2.0) can run PrivateXMS. More handsets are continuously being added while other mobile OS platforms will be made available in the near future. Please visit our www.privatexms.com for updated list of all compatible handsets.

I have a PrivateXMS supported handset and it is also a 3G phone, will PrivateXMS run properly?

Yes, PrivateXMS is supported on most 3G phones as long as the SMS protocol is supported by a compatible handset.

Can I use PrivateXMS across any service providers?

Yes. PrivateXMS messages are always considered as a normal SMS when they are sent through all telecommunication networks. It ensures mobile security and helps keep the contents of private and sensitive SMS messages confidential across different cellular providers and diverse technologies (GSM, CDMA etc.).

Can I send PrivateXMS messages to international number?

Yes. You only need to save your contacts’ number in an international format.

Do I have to pay extra for sending PrivateXMS instead of SMS?

No, PrivateXMS messages actually ride on the existing SMS platform. You will be charged the standard SMS cost; there are no additional fees besides the monthly license fee.

Can I send secure MMS messages?

The current version of PrivateXMS does not encrypt MMS messages. In the future releases, this feature will be supported and allow you to send secure MMS messages using PrivateXMS.