This paper surveys techniques for recovering plaintext from intercepted or stored text messages and for verifying message authenticity and integrity. We analyze communication channels (SMS, MMS, OTT instant messaging), common cryptographic protections (end-to-end encryption, transport-layer encryption, message authentication codes, digital signatures), typical vulnerabilities (signaling system weaknesses, SS7/diameter abuse, SIM swapping, client-side compromise, weak key management, metadata leakage), and cryptanalytic and forensic approaches to decipherment. We present experimental evaluations of attack feasibility, outline responsible disclosure and legal/ethical considerations, and recommend mitigations for service providers and users.