WhatsApp has become an essential part of our lives. While the platform makes it convenient to stay in touch and share media, there is always a threat of a WhatsApp account getting hacked, allowing our messages, important documents and photos shared through the platform to be seen by hackers. Many people think WhatsApp is secure - but you should treat WhatsApp like any other web app.
Like email, we advise against sending passwords or sensitive information via WhatsApp. On numerous occasions, some of our clients have asked us to purchase a domain or service on their behalf, and they are all too quick to photograph the front and back of their debit card and send us the photos via WhatsApp. We naturally delete the media, but many would forget about this, and a hacker would first look at all the images and media you have shared on WhatsApp and read conversations so they can figure out how best to scam you. This is called "spear-phishing" - Google it!
How to Secure WhatsApp
Simply put, we recommend enabling 2FA (two-factor authentication). This is a setting inside WhatsApp which is not enabled by default. Here is how users can enable two-step verification on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Select the Menu option or three dots from the right-hand side.
- Tap on Settings from the drop-down option.
- Select Account.
- Tap on Two-step verification.
- Tap on Enable.
- WhatsApp will ask users to enter a six-digit passcode. Enter six digits for a passcode.
- Re-enter the six-digit passcode to confirm.
- Add your email address on the next screen and confirm it.
- Tap Done to enable two-step verification (2FA).
Updating your Group Settings
In addition to the 2FA changes, we recommend editing your "Group Settings" to disable anyone from adding you to a group without your consent. By default, any scammer can add an individual to a group message without the person's permission.
To change the setting, a user needs to go to:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Select the Menu option or three dots from the right-hand side.
- Tap on Settings from the drop-down option.
- Select Account.
- Select Privacy.
- Select Groups.
- Then change the option from "Everyone" to "My Contacts".
We hope this helps to improve your security on WhatsApp!
