WhatsApp is an important part of everyday communication. However, not all users use the messenger in a secure way. WhatsApp has provided some hints that are supposed to simplify your everyday life with the messenger.
The WhatsApp messenger app is used by millions of smartphone owners these days. And it is precisely this popularity that is the greatest danger for all WhatsApp users. Because its popularity attracts scammers and other criminals who try to get your account data or sensitive information on your smartphone. To prevent this from happening, we not only have five helpful tips on account security on WhatsApp from us, but also directly from the messenger’s developers.
WhatsApp has published four rules that users can use to increase their security. First of all, it is important that you do not share your activation code with anyone. This is necessary to use or change the account. So if someone else has your code and mobile phone number, they can easily take over the account. Two-factor authentication offers even more security than dealing responsibly with the code. If changes are made to the account, this requires a six-digit code that you specify when setting up the measure. Even if your activation is lost, the fraudster still needs another code.
More tips for WhatsApp users
The other two tips on and from WhatsApp are less about the technical side and more about calls and messages you can get through Messenger. Be careful when unknown callers, posing as either WhatsApp developers or other well-known companies, ask you to install apps or give out information. Keep the sensitive information to yourself.
This is especially true when the news is shady and there is no formal tone. WhatsApp gives the following hints to uncover the fakes:
- Spelling and grammatical errors
- Prompt to tap a link
- Asking to share your personal information (such as credit card and bank account numbers, date of birth, passwords, etc.)
- Request to forward the message
- Prompt to tap a link to “activate” a new feature
- Notice that you have to pay for WhatsApp (WhatsApp is a free app. We will never ask you to pay to use WhatsApp, and you will never have to do anything to keep using WhatsApp for free.)
Further security measures for WhatsApp
In recent times, WhatsApp has mainly dedicated itself to the fight against fake messages and chain letters on its own platform. These can quickly lead to incorrect information or even security concerns, for example if a defective link is shared via them. This is why the forwarding function has been given a “double arrow” to indicate that the message has already been forwarded more than five times before it reached you. If the arrow appears, you can be almost certain that it no longer comes from your contact environment.
The situation is similar with the magnifying glass next to such messages that have recently appeared there. If you click on the symbol, the message is automatically thrown into known search engines. Based on the results, you can see whether this is a chain letter or a hoax.
If you received these messages from an unknown number, report the sender. You can find this option by clicking on the person’s name in the chat and then selecting “Report contact” at the bottom. If it is a friend or family member, refer them to the chain letter. Maybe this will give you the opportunity to trace the original sender and then report it to WhatsApp.
Tips and tricks for WhatsApp
If you want to know more about the possible security settings on WhatsApp, we recommend taking a look at our practical tips. There you will find, among other things, the options that are given to you in terms of privacy on WhatsApp. We have also provided you with five tricks that will help you protect yourself against attacks by hackers.
If you have equipped your WhatsApp well in terms of security, you can probably get even more out of Messenger. We have put together some hidden functions of WhatsApp for you, which even professionals may have missed so far.