WhatsApp: 5 settings to adopt urgently to boost the security of your account

2023-08-17 14:04:00

To avoid forcing your hand, some of these new features are not activated by default. WhatsApp relies on online and app communications to convince you to adopt them. Despite these efforts, it is likely that the configuration of your WhatsApp account can still be greatly improved.

How to correct the shot? Discover below 5 settings to apply in 5 minutes to drastically improve the security and confidentiality of your WhatsApp.

Facebook Messenger will finally remove the function that everyone hated

1. Limit who can add you to groups

The WhatsApp group is a great tool for exchanging with a series of people gathered in the same discussion space. The problem, and size, is that by default, absolutely anyone can add you to a group. Even a stranger, no matter what their intentions, from the moment they found your phone number somewhere.

Starting point: Settings (Android) / Settings (iPhone) of the WhatsApp application. Tap on Privacy. Tap on Groups. Choose My contacts or My contacts except… rather than Everyone.

Excluded will only be able to invite you to join a group. You are then free to accept or decline.

2. Encrypt your data backup

WhatsApp regularly backs up your data (messages, received and sent media) to the cloud. It is eminently practical. This allows you to quickly find all of its content in the event of a change of smartphone, for example.

What if that backup fell into the wrong hands? To reduce the risks, WhatsApp offers you to encrypt this backup and protect it with a password of your choice.

Starting point: Settings (Android)/Settings (iPhone) in WhatsApp app.Tap Chats.Tap Chat backup.Tap End-to-end encrypted backup.Tap Enable.Tap Create password and track the procedure. Press Create.

3. Enable two-step verification

Two-Step Verification adds an extra layer of security to your WhatsApp account: a six-digit PIN. You will be asked regularly to encode it. It will more than certainly block anyone trying to access your account through another device.

Starting point: Settings (Android) / Settings (iPhone) of the WhatsApp application. Tap on Account. Tap on Two-step verification. Tap on Activate. Choose a six-digit PIN code and follow the procedure. Optionally enter an e-mail address -backup email in case the PIN code is forgotten.

4. Limit who can see your profile picture

You don’t necessarily want your profile picture to be very (too) widely visible. In the worst case scenario, the setting is fixed at Everyone. Under these conditions, you might as well restrict access to your Contacts to a minimum.

Starting point: Settings (Android) / Settings (iPhone) of the WhatsApp app. Tap on Privacy. Tap on Profile picture. Tap on My contacts, My contacts except… or Nobody, rather than Everyone.

5. Silence unknown numbers

It’s part of the strange behavior of WhatsApp. By default, unknown numbers are allowed to try to call you. More than outright banning the practice, the app lets you silence those calls, “which will continue to show up in the call list and in your notifications.”

Starting point: Settings (Android)/Settings (iPhone) in the WhatsApp app. Tap Privacy. Tap Calls. Enable Mute unknown numbers.
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