WhatsApp executive reveals top 5 hacks to keep messages private and secure

If you are a target of surveillance, secure your WhatsApp.
1. E2EE is on by default.
2. Turn on Disappearing Messages for all your chats
3. Turn on E2EE Backups or disable them
4. Chat Lock for sensitive chats
5. For calls, Silence Unknown calls & Call Relay

Threat models👇

— Uzma (@uzmabarlaskar) December 19, 2023

Here are five tips that will add more security to your WhatsApp. These tips from Uzma Hussain, Director of Growth and Privacy at WhatsApp, may protect your account from security breaches:

Turn on disappearing messages for all chats

Enable disappearing messages for all the chats (Express Photo)

WhatsApp allows users to enable disappearing messages, which automatically deletes all the messages, including multimedia files after a set time.

Go to Settings > Privacy > Default message time and select a timer, which includes options like 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days.

Enable end-to-end encryption for backups

Enable end-to-end encryption for backups (Express Photo)

Messages are by default end-to-end encrypted on WhatsApp and by enabling the same for backups on Google Drive and Apple iCloud, one could ensure that even the cloud storage service providers won’t be able to access your messages.

Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup, and enable end-to-end encrypted backup.

Lock sensitive chats

Lock sensitive chats with unique passcode (Express Photo)

If you have a chat that needs to be private, then, make use of the new lock chat feature and configure it with a unique passcode.

Just go to any chat that you would like to lock, click on the profile name, and select lock chat to put it behind the passcode.

Silence Unknown Calls helps with 0-click attacks

Enable silence unknown calls (Express Photo)

A lot of users also face cyber attacks via WhatsApp calls, and one can stay protected against this by enabling the silence of unknown call options. When enabled, the phone will not inform users about a call from an unknown number.

Go to Settings > Privacy > Calls, and enable silence unknown callers

Enable call relay to protect against IP surveillance

Protect your IP address on WhatsApp (Express Photo)

WhatsApp recently introduced a new call relay feature, which protects IP addresses and makes it hard for hackers to find the IP address.

Go to Settings > Privacy > Calls > Advanced and enable protect IP address in calls to shield your IP address.

By making these simple changes to your WhatsApp account, you can truly stay protected against hacks and security breaches.