WhatsApp recently announced that it has more than 700 million monthly active members, which sends around 30 billion messages a month. That's an enormous volume of personal information being communicated.
The vast user base also makes the app vulnerable to hacking and other security risks. While WhatsApp does release security updates and fixes time to time, here are some simple tips from researchers to make it more secure.
1. Block WhatsApp photos from appearing in photoroll/ gallery
Pictures that you receive on WhatsApp are automatically stored in your phone’s Photo roll or gallery, exposing them to anyone who browses photos on your phone.
To restrict it on an iPhone, you can go into the phone’s Settings menu, then tap ‘Privacy’, ‘Photos’, and deselect WhatsApp. Android users can use a third party app like "Vault" to hide WhatsApp videos and pics.
2. Restrict access to profile picture
If your WhatsApp sharing is public, anyone you've ever spoken to - even if you've just replied to an unwanted message - can download your pic from your WhatsApp profile.
You can restrict access to your WhatsApp profile picture to people who’re in your phone’s address book. Set profile picture sharing to “contacts only” in the Privacy menu to enable this feature.
You can restrict access to your WhatsApp profile picture to people who’re in your phone’s address book. Set profile picture sharing to “contacts only” in the Privacy menu to enable this feature.
3. Beware of scams
WhatsApp will never contact users through the app and does not send emails about chats, voice messages, payment, changes, photos, or videos, unless you contact their help and support.
Anyone offering a free subscription, claiming to be from WhatsApp or encouraging you to follow links in order to safeguard your account is definitely a scam and should not be trusted. These links could lead to websites that install malware and spyware or track your personal details.
4. Deactivate WhatsApp if you lose your phone
If you lose your smartphone, it’s advisable to immediately activate WhatsApp with the same phone number on a different phone, with a replacement SIM.
One of the basic security measures that WhatsApp takes is that the app can only be used by one number on one device at a time, so by doing so you instantly block it from being used on your old phone.
5. Keep the WhatsApp app locked
One of the best WhatsApp security tips is to protect the app with a password or PIN. While WhatsApp doesn't offer such a function, you can use third party app like "Smart AppLock" and Secure Chat if you use an Android phone.
It might seem cumbersome but if you lose your phone, it's going to prevent anyone else accessing your chats.
6. Hide the ‘last seen’ timestamp
The bone of contention, WhatsApp’s much disliked ‘last seen’ feature can also be disabled! Although more of a privacy feature, it could help prevent your stalker know what time you were last online.
You can disable or restrict who sees your ‘last seen’ time in WhatsApp’s Privacy menu, in Android, iOS, Windows or Blackberry. However, if you turn it off, you won’t be able to see other users’ ‘last seen’ times either.
7. Be careful of what you talk about
Similar to other forms of communication, you should not share confidential information, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, bank or credit card details, or passport or other identification details on WhatsApp.
A man in the middle attack could lead to this information being compromised. WhatsApp has introduced end-to-end encryption for its Android users but other platforms are still vulnerable.
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