WhatsApp is incorporated with a ubiquitous trait. It features a figure of more than a billion active users. Worldwide it is also one of the top-ranking instant messaging apps in terms of popularity. Unfortunately, when it comes to fame, it is followed by attention and promotes exposure and vulnerability to malicious hackers and such people. In order to bypass this dilemma, below mentioned are 5 of the reliable guidelines which ascertain and augment the security features of WhatsApp considerably.
Two-Step Verification
This process imbibes the WhatsApp account with an additional layer of security which magnifies the existing security aspect on a large scale. In order to implement this, the user has to access the Account menu and choose the two-step verification process.
Typing follows this in a 6-digit code which is to be done whenever there is a validation of the app on a new device. In addition, the user can also input an alternative email address to ensure that the instant messaging app can provide the user with a link in the event this authorization is disabled.
Lock WhatsApp
WhatsApp typically lacks a lock function. However, featured is a plethora of third-party apps that assist in this process. The end to end encryption featured in WhatsApp conceals the confidential data being sent. This is effective when the user is in possession of the device.
In the case, the device has been lost or stolen and ultimately lands up in the hands of a stranger, the data and information are exposed and vulnerable. To bypass this issue, the user has to avail of the services of apps like Secure Chat, Lock for WhatsApp and the such.
Disabling the WhatsApp account on a Stolen Device
In the event the phone has been misplaced or stolen, this tip could prove to be very beneficiary. If the user wants to disable their WhatsApp account on a stolen device, then the user has to mail the WhatsApp team at [email protected].
The subject line should be as follows “Lost/Stolen: Please deactivate my account,” then the user’s mobile number has to be inputted. Care has to be taken that the user’s mobile number is incorporated with all the accurate and precise international dialing codes.
Hide your Last Seen time
It is a misconception that whenever the user comes online and offline with respect to WhatsApp, it is hardly of any significance. It could potentially lead to some malicious minded people to make use of this vulnerability to their advantage where they know when the user has gone offline.
In order to deactivate this feature, the concerned user must access the Profile and then Privacy. Here the user has the option to deactivate the feature which indicates the last seen time. After disabling it, the user is well assured that no one can see when the user was last online in WhatsApp.
Concealing WhatsApp Photos from the Gallery
This feature is very much useful when the user has to transmit or receive photos that are not suitable for the general people to see. A particular feature of WhatsApp is that all the images which were transmitted to and forth by WhatsApp are synced with the smartphone gallery.
To deactivate this feature, the user has to access their phone’s file manager and then the WhatsApp images folder. Here the user has to generate a file by name .nomedia. This is followed by a reboot where the WhatsApp media content is concealed from the eyes of the public and ensures privacy.
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