WhatsApp Safety Tips: Meta Shares 6 Ways Users Can Protect Their Accounts
The Meta-owned app has launched a 'Stay safe with WhatsApp' campaign to help users safeguard their data.
WhatsApp, the Meta-owned instant messaging platform which has around 487 million users in India (the highest in the world), has come under the scanner over user data safety issues several times in the past. Most recently, the Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the Centre was reportedly planning to send a notice to WhatsApp on the issue of spam calls from unknown international numbers, mostly intended to dupe unsuspecting users out of lakhs of rupees on the pretext of liking YouTube videos to earn money.
Furthermore, earlier this month, several users took to social media to report that WhatsApp was found to be accessing phone mics without permission. This was, however, identified by Google as an Android security bug that led to “incorrect privacy indicators and notifications in the privacy dashboard” and allowed WhatsApp to access a device’s microphone. Google is reportedly working on a fix.
Amidst all these developments, the platform has launched a ‘Stay safe with WhatsApp’ campaign to let users know how to safeguard their accounts and make sure that personal information remains private.
Here are 6 tips that WhatsApp claims can protect your accounts:
- Enhance your account security with Two-Step Verification: Enable WhatsApp's Two-Step Verification feature to add an extra layer of security. This feature requires a six-digit PIN when resetting or verifying your WhatsApp account, offering protection in case of a stolen SIM card or compromised phone. Remember to keep your PIN confidential and avoid clicking on any email links for resetting the two-step verification PIN or registration code unless you initiated the request.
- Take control of your privacy settings: Manage your personal details on WhatsApp to control who can access them. Customise settings for your Profile Photo, Last Seen, Online status, About, and Status, choosing to make them visible to everyone, contacts only, select contacts, or no one. Additionally, you can decide who sees your online status to keep your presence private when desired. Restricting visibility to your contacts can significantly enhance the security of your account.
- Safeguard your messaging experience with group privacy settings: Leverage WhatsApp's privacy settings and group invite system to determine who can add you to groups. These features empower you to maintain privacy and prevent unwanted additions to groups. If you find yourself in a group that doesn't align with your preferences, you can privately exit the group without notifying all participants.
- Monitor your linked devices regularly: Regularly review the devices linked to your WhatsApp account. This allows you to see a comprehensive list of all devices that have accessed your account. If you come across any unfamiliar devices, promptly log out. If you suspect unauthorised usage of your account via WhatsApp Web/Desktop, log out of all computers through your phone.
- Take action against suspicious accounts: While WhatsApp provides a secure and private communication environment, you may occasionally encounter problematic messages or calls from unknown numbers. These messages might contain suspicious links or seek access to personal information. In such cases, WhatsApp offers a straightforward solution to block and report these accounts. By blocking a contact or number, you prevent them from calling or sending you messages.
- Benefit from behind-the-scenes security features: WhatsApp incorporates several security features that work seamlessly to protect your account without requiring user intervention. Account Protect sends alerts when an unauthorised attempt is made to transfer your account to another device. Device Verification adds extra authentication measures for your account. Automatic Security Codes ensure that your conversations remain confidential by verifying the intended recipient.
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