WhatsApp has elevated from just being a simple instant messenger that can be used for sending and receiving text, photo, video and audio messages and now users can even share locations.It’s probably one of the most used apps on any smartphone,very easy to use and even work well when the connection is slow.That makes it a pretty communication asset.
But it very risky to use because,you never know what your personal information might be used for by the many malicious hackers out there and also,WhatsApp can leak your private data if you are not careful.It is very important that the security of data be the first thing to be taken care of before even using the app.
A company named ESSET that offers security solutions including pretty nifty anti-virus apps for smartphones as well as computers, has come out with a few tech tips.
WhatsApp users should use the following tips to keep his or her WhatsApp chats safe and secure:
1. Lock WhatsApp with a Password
The best way to protect your whatsapp is to put a password or PIN. WhatsApp itself doesn’t offer this functionality, but there are third-party apps that do. It might seem unwieldy but in case, you lose your phone or your phone gets stolen or it gets left behind at a friend’s place, it’s going to prevent anyone else accessing your chats
2.Manage photo album
It is not the best thing to stumble across a WhatsApp photo that is kind of inappropriate to a given audience, especially when showing off some of your best photo moments to friends and relatives.
You can stop your WhatsApp photos from appearing in your photo album by going to your device’s “privacy settings” and from there, tap on “Photos” and uncheck “WhatsApp.” This will exclude WhatsApp from the list of apps that send their images to the phone’s photo album. However, this process applies only to users of iOS devices.
If you are using an Android device, the first thing you’ll need to do is to download a file explorer app, for instance, “ES File Explorer‘. While in this explorer, navigate to WhatsApp folders named “Videos” and “Images” and create a file named nomedia in each of these folders. Your phone gallery will no longer have the privileges of scanning these two folders for media.
3. Hide “Last Seen” Timestamp
“Last seen” time or going on and offline may not seem like a vital information to you,But it’s very useful for someone who is stalking you especially this scammers. If you aren’t already considering your activities or your location as an important information about yourself, then you should start doing so.
You can disable or restrict who sees your ‘last seen’ timestamps in WhatsApp’s “Profile”; “Privacy” menu, in all Android, iOS, Windows or Blackberry devices. The only demerit of doing this is that you won’t be able to see other users’ ‘last seen’ times either.
4. Restrict Access to Your Profile Picture
WhatsApp sharing is public, anyone you’ve ever chat with,even if you’ve just replied to an unwanted message,that person can simply download your Whatsapp profile picture. But WhatsApp allows users to control those who can view or download your profile pictures and those who cannot. This is another layer of security as this will ensure that only the persons you want to share your profile picture with have access to it. In order to change those who can access your profile picture on WhatsApp, go to the “privacy” menu of the app and change the status of sharing your profile picture to either “Nobody” or “Contacts only”.
5. Beware of Whatsapp Scam !!
WhatsApp itself will never contact you through its own app. Also, WhatsApp does not even emails its app users about chats, voice messages, payment, changes, photos, or videos, unless you had contacted their help and support.
Any mail or anyone offering you a free subscription, claiming to be from WhatsApp or encouraging you to follow links to safeguard your Whatsapp profile is a SCAM FOR SURE.
6. Deactivate & Regain Access To WhatsApp If Your Device Get Lost
One WhatsApp account cannot be used on two mobile phones at the same time. This app also works only using a single phone number, thus, in case you lose the phone, you need to deactivate the account on the lost device.
First of all, you’ll need to replace the lost SIM card in order to activate your old account using your newly replaced number. This will block WhatsApp access from the other device and eventually keep your conversations safe.
