With over 2.7 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has become the go-to platform for daily communication, seamlessly weaving into both personal and professional spheres.
But amidst its convenience, whispers of security vulnerabilities linger.
Leaked backups, spam attacks, and unauthorized access are all potential threats that can compromise your security.
While Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, strives for a secure environment, the onus ultimately falls on users to actively safeguard their privacy.
Uzma Barlaskar, a WhatsApp executive revealed 5 essential tips on X, to keep your WhatsApp conversations safe and secure.
In this read, we’ll discuss all of them.
E2EE: End To End Encryption
Each message is coded, unreadable until it reaches its intended recipient.
This is End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), WhatsApp’s default security feature.
Activated automatically, it ensures messages are scrambled on your device and only unscrambled on the recipient’s, making them indecipherable during transmission.
Disappearing Messages
Not all secrets are meant to last.
For those fleeting conversations and sensitive exchanges, activate Disappearing Messages.
This feature allows you to set a timer for messages, photos, and videos, causing them to automatically self-destruct after a chosen duration (24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days).
Perfect for impromptu gossip sessions or confidential discussions, it adds an extra layer of privacy, leaving no trace in your chat history.
Encryption For Backups
Backups restore your precious messages in case of accidental deletion or phone mishaps.
But even these backups can be vulnerable.
To keep your data truly private, choose to enable End-to-End Encrypted Backups.
This creates a password-protected vault on your chosen cloud storage platform (Google Drive or iCloud), ensuring only you can access these backups.
WhatsApp Chat Lock
For those extra-sensitive chats containing financial information or personal documents, consider the Chat Lock feature.
This adds a password or fingerprint barrier to specific conversations, requiring additional authentication before anyone can access them.
It’s a personalized lock, keeping prying eyes at bay, even if your phone falls into the wrong hands.
Secure Calls
Voice calls deserve the same level of protection as your messages.
To combat unwanted intrusions and potential IP surveillance, utilize features like Silence Unknown Calls and Call Relay.
Silence Unknown Calls blocks robocalls and spammy numbers, while Call Relay routes your calls through a secure server, masking your IP address and adding anonymity to your conversations.
Stay Safe
These are just a few of the tools at your disposal.
WhatsApp security is a layered approach.
Combining these tips with additional measures like Two-Factor Authentication, Biometric Authentication, and Group Admin Controls for managing sensitive group chats creates a robust defense against potential threats.
By actively engaging with these features and taking preventative measures, you can keep your WhatsApp from unauthorized access.
