WhatsApp messaging has become an integral part of today’s social life for several reasons, we must therefore do our part to protect our WhatsApp account from being compromised.
There continues to be an increasing number of reported cases of WhatsApp account takeover by criminals, who in turn used the account to perpetrate all kinds of frauds.
To ensure the protection of your WhatsApp account, you can follow these steps:
1. Enable two-step verification: This is the best step you can take to protect your WhatsApp account. When you enable it, WhatsApp adds a second layer of protection to your account. After you enable 2FA, you’ll have to type a six-digit PIN to log in to your WhatsApp account. Even if your phone is stolen or someone uses a phishing method to steal your SIM card, they won’t be able to access your WhatsApp account.
2. Enable fingerprint or face ID lock for WhatsApp: You might already protect your iPhone or Android phone with biometrics. As an additional measure, you can protect WhatsApp with a fingerprint or Face ID lock, as well.
3. Check for unauthorized WhatsApp web login and log out from other devices: If you suspect that someone else has access to your WhatsApp account, check if there are any unauthorized web logins and log out from other devices.
4. Verify end-to-end encryption for your chats: WhatsApp encrypts all chats by default, but you might want to make sure.
5. Deactivate WhatsApp account if your phone is stolen: If your phone is stolen, deactivate your WhatsApp account immediately.
6. Report suspicious chats and don’t fall for common scams and forwards: Be wary of suspicious messages, and don’t fall for common scams and forwards.
7. Disable auto group addition and adjust your privacy settings: You can disable auto group addition and adjust your privacy settings in the messaging app’s Settings section.
8. Enable disappearing messages for sensitive conversations: You can enable disappearing messages for sensitive conversations in the messaging app’s Settings section.
9. Encrypt cloud backups: You can encrypt cloud backups in the messaging app’s Settings section.
10. Get the official WhatsApp desktop apps: The official desktop apps are more secure than third-party apps.
If for whatever reason, your WhatsApp account is hacked and taken over, click on the link below and lodge a complaint to the WhatsApp Technical Support Team for assistance
https://www.whatsapp.com/contact/?subject=messenger
- Ensure you have given the details of how the incident happened.
- Ensure the email address you supply is the email address to which you used as a backup email for the said WhatsApp account.
- You can also supply your NIN ID to help in the speedy verification of your claim.
Stay safe and be security-conscious.
Destiny Young, MSc. (Cand). MBA (distinction), MTECH (UNISA), BSc (Hons)
Technology Infrastructure & Cybersecurity Engineer
