Beware of WhatsApp Being Hacked, Here are 9 Ways to Secure Your Account
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia –Anyone can experience WhatsApp tapping or hacking.
For that, you need to know how to prevent becoming a victim of WhatsApp hacking. One way is to utilize a number of security features available on WhatsApp.
Here are 9 ways to keep WhatsApp chats safe from being hacked and tapped:
1. Always Use the Official WhatsApp Application
The most important thing is to make sure you are using the latest version of the official WhatsApp application to ensure the security and privacy of your messages. Because using fake applications can pose a security risk.
2. Activate Two-Factor Verification
To prevent becoming a victim of tapping by activating the WhatsApp security feature, two-factor verification. In this way, criminals cannot access WhatsApp because they do not know the code used. Here’s how to activate it:
Click the three-dot option
Go to Settings, then go to Account and click Two Step Verification
Press Enable
Enter six codes
Don’t forget to enter your email address to recover the code when you forget it
3. Activate Fingerprint Scanner
Another way is to activate the fingerprint feature. Here are the steps:
Click the three-dot option and enter the Privacy menu
Click fingerprint lock and activate
Users will be asked to record their fingerprints
Users will also be asked to choose how long the application will be automatically locked, with options of 1 minute or 30 minutes.
4. Turn on the “Temporary Message” Feature
WhatsApp provides a feature that can hide messages or conversations. The feature is called Disappearing Messages.
From this feature, you can delete sent messages in the sent message space automatically. This new feature can be activated by default. That way, all chats sent will disappear according to the duration that has been selected.
WhatsApp provides a temporary message option that will disappear after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.
5. Lock WhatsApp Chat
WhatsApp also has a Chat Lock feature as extra protection for users to hide secret chats on the platform.
Chat Lock will lock individual or group chats using biometrics such as fingerprints or facial scans.
Locked chats will not display notifications when new messages arrive. The platform will display it as ‘WhatsApp: 1 new message’.
6. Become a WA Group Admin
If you act as an admin in a WA group, you can keep the group or community a place to interact and have appropriate conversations.
You can determine who can join, limit member permissions to change the subject, icon, or description of the community, even delete unwanted messages or remove members.
7. Report and Block Unknown Contacts
If you receive a suspicious message or call asking for personal information, it is important to make sure that you know the contact, have the same group as them.
WhatsApp provides the option to immediately block unknown contacts. In addition, you can easily report and block suspicious contacts to ensure account security.
8. Link Devices to Trusted Sources
WhatsApp can be opened via desktop. However, it should be noted that when connecting a device to a desktop using a QR code, make sure you enter the URL web.whatsapp.com or download the official application from whatsapp.com/download, or the App Store.
In addition, routinely check what devices are connected to your WhatsApp account. Next, log out of all connected devices.
Here’s how to check devices connected via WhatsApp Web:
Press the three-dot option
Click WhatsApp Web
Next, you will see a list of devices connected to your WhatsApp account. Log out of all devices.
9. Deactivate Account
When you find out your account has been hacked, deactivate your account immediately. Users must contact support@whatsapp.com with the keyword “Lost/stolen: please deactivate my account” in the body of the email to deactivate their account.
Users have 30 days to reactivate their account before it is deleted forever.
SOURCE : CNBC INDONESIA
