Facebook-owned WhatsApp offers a range of security features to prevent your account from getting hacked like end-to-end encryption, biometrics security and more. These security features ensure that your WhatsApp account stays safe and your private conversations don’t fall into the wrong hands. It is also working on a new password protection feature that will encrypt chat backups in Cloud, making them accessible only to the users.
WhatsApp chats are end-to-end encrypted but this protection currently doesn`t apply to online backups stored on Google Drive and Apple iCloud. WABetaInfo, a website that closely tracks WhatsApp updates in Beta, said that WhatsApp is working on cloud backups encryption.
Despite the security features, many users fall prey to social hacking where they are duped into disclosing their WhatsApp account credentials and then subjected to blackmail.
Here are five features you should keep in mind to protect hackers attack you via WhatsApp.
1. Two-factor authentication
WhatsApp users can protect their accounts using two-factor verification or two-factor authentication. This feature makes sure that your WhatsApp number can only be activated on any device after a six-digit pin is entered. To enable two-step verification, go to WhatsApp Settings>Account>Two step verification and then tap enable. WhatsApp will then need you to enter a six-digit activation code. You also get the option to enter an email address to help you recover the code in case you ever forget it.
2. Disappearing messages
WhatsApp recently announced the long-awaited ‘Disappearing messages’ feature for its more than 2 billion users. It can be used both for individual and group chats. For the latter, the admins can only enable the feature in the group chats. Once you enable the ‘Disappearing messages’ feature for your individual or group chats, the new messages sent in the individual and group chats will disappear after seven days. It will also remove photos and videos shared after this period. This feature will not affect messages that were sent or received previously in the chats.
3. Tweak privacy settings
WhatsApp provides users with options to choose who they want to share their profile photo, status, and other details with. It’s a good idea to change the Setting to ‘Contacts only’. This means only phone numbers that are saved on your smartphone will be able to see your profile photo, status, and phone number.
4. Lock WhatsApp account with Touch ID or Face ID
Add an extra layer of security by enabling Face ID for iPhone, and Fingerprint lock for Android. To activate, open WhatsApp Settings. Tap Account > Privacy > Screen Lock. Turn on Require Touch ID or Require Face ID, and then select the length of time WhatsApp can be on standby mode before Touch ID or Face ID is required.
5. Report spam
WhatsApp helps you identify and handle spam messages. If encountered with Spam, WhatsApp advises users to block the sender, disregard the message and delete it.
