HOW TO SECURE YOUR WHATSAPP FROM SCAMMERS
Early in 2009, Yahoo veterans Brian Acton and Jan Koum started WhatsApp Inc. The name was intended to resemble the salutation “what’s up?” plus “app,” which is abbreviation for application. WhatsApp was designed to be an app that would allow users to add status updates to contacts on their iPhones, rather than a messaging app.
TIPS ON HOW TO SECURE YOUR WHATSAPP
If you use WhatsApp, which is one of the greatest instant messengers available, there are some precautions you should take to safeguard your privacy and security. This goes above and beyond the end-to-end encryption that WhatsApp has by default.
What is WhatsApp?
This is a free cross-platform messaging service that allow its users of devices like iPhone, Android smartphones, Mac and Windows PC call and exchange text, photo, audio and video messages with each other across the globe for free, regardless of what device the receiver is using. This App makes use of Wi-Fi connection to function, unlike other cross platform messaging services like iMessage by Apple and Messages by Google, which requires the users cellular networks and Short Message Service.
How does WhatsApp work?
Any smartphone with a SIM card, an internet connection, and a phone number can download WhatsApp. If you are using an android phone, you can download it on google play store while iphone users can get theirs on istore. After completing the setup process on their smartphone, users of WhatsApp can connect their account to their PC. With the latest edition of whatsapp you can now share one account with four devices.
WhatsApp like other messaging apps that are only available over Wi-Fi have so many things in common, including Facebook Messenger, which is available on desktops and phones. But WhatsApp uses phone numbers to identify users rather than usernames and passwords to authenticate accounts. Finding and messaging friends and family across platforms is made simple by automatically adding all phone contact list members who are already using WhatsApp to the WhatsApp contact list.
Similar to other messaging apps, WhatsApp is subject to specific security threats. Users also encounter a unique threat: WhatsApp downloads all media that gets sent to a user’s mobile device by default. This setting allows the sender to infiltrate the targeted mobile phone by sending malware-encrypted files to a WhatsApp account using spyware apps like Pegasus. When a user’s smartphone is compromised, Pegasus may record conversations and capture pictures using the camera. It can also access all data stored on the device.
How to Make WhatsApp More Secure and Private
- Activate Disappearing Messages for Sensitive Discussions
Even though whatsApp offers encrypted backups of messages, which prevents third party entities — including WhatsApp itself — from accessing backups of messages stored in the cloud by default, at times, you may also want to make sure that your chat is not recorded for future reference. This makes it more likely that none of your private communications will be viewed, even in the unlikely event that either your device or the recipient’s device ends up in the wrong hands.
WhatsApp’s disappearing messages feature makes sure that, after a predetermined amount of time, all exchanged messages are automatically removed.
If you want to activate this for a particular chat, press the contact’s name at the top and choose Disappearing messages to enable Disappearing messages. Next, decide how long a message will be active before being removed.
2. Turn On Security Code Change Notifications
There on your whatsApp you can check if the conversations you’re having are encrypted from end to end. Both a 60-digit number and a QR code can be seen in the contact information screen.
A fresh security code is always produced for both smartphones whenever a new phone or laptop accesses an existing chat. When the security code changes, WhatsApp has the ability to notify users. In this manner, you and the other user can verify the security of the encryption through a separate messaging app.
To activate the notifications for security code changes, navigate to WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Security > Show security notifications, then move the toggle to the “green” position. Android devices users can tap Settings > Account > Security Notifications and toggle on Show Security Notifications on This Phone.
3. Activate Two-Step Verification
WhatsApp allows you to create a six-digit PIN code that you can easily remember. This adds a periodic passcode to WhatsApp, bolstering security by ensuring your data isn’t accessed by someone else.
The goal of this level of security is to prevent a third party from accessing your WhatsApp account without your consent, even if they have access to your number.
4. Modify Your Privacy Preferences on WhatsApp
This particular feature allows you to control who can see your WhatsApp Last Seen and online status, Profile photo, About, Status, and Live locations. There are features that enables you to also turn off Read receipts, preventing the other party to know when you read their messages, so the blue check marks are switched off, also you can adjust who can add you to groups and for any groups you are added to, you will only be able to join them when you accept the invite. Additionally, use the Disappearing message timer to set a default timer when you enable the feature in a given chat.