WhatsApp has become one of the world’s largest messaging platforms. In fact, it’s the largest platform in Malaysia! The app is used by billions of people the world over and continues to grow even today.
Thus, it has become even more imperative that we take steps to make the platform more secure for ourselves. Here are a few simple measures you can take to make the platform that much more safe for you.
1. Take Control of Your Privacy
Did you know that you can control who is able to access and view your information? Everything from your profile picture to read receipts can be controlled from the app’s privacy settings. So, it’s pretty important that you review your settings on a regular basis to make sure everything is in order and up to date.
To access your settings, just launch your WhatsApp. Click on the hamburger menu (the three dots) on the top right; go to settings and head to account. In the account menu, you will see a menu for privacy. Here you can choose who can view your last seen, your profile picture, your status and even your about. Yes, WhatsApp has an about section. You even have the options to limit who can add you to groups. You’ll be able to choose from “Everyone”, “My Contacts” and “Nobody”.
2. Block Unwanted People
Ever since WhatsApp became a global phenomenon, we’ve had random people whom we don’t know adding us and sending us messages. Sometimes these messages can even be explicit pictures which no one asked for. While it’s impossible to not get messages from random people, you can block them if things get out of hand. Simply tap on the contact or long press the chat and you’ll get a few options, select block contact. You’ll also be provided with an option to report and block the contact.
3. Turn on Two Step Verification
Just like any other online account, WhatsApp has a two factor authentication option. For WhatsApp, this option allows you to keep prying eyes out of your account by requesting a one time pin when you log in.
Simply got to your account settings again, and head to the two step verification option and enable it.
4. Keep Track of your Account by requesting your account information
Did you know that you could request for your WhatsApp account information? Now, you do. It takes about 3 days from the day you submit your request. This option allows you to export a detailed report of your account information and settings. This includes your profile photo, group names and more.
All you have to do is head into you Account settings and click on the Request Account Info option and tap request report. In 3 days time, the information you requested will be sent to the email you have provided.
5. Turn off Read Receipts
Turning off those blue ticks will help you prevent people from tracking whether you’ve read their messages. This also allows you to dodge that person that’s been hounding you the past few weeks.
All you have to do is head into the Account settings and disable Read Receipts.
6. Delete and Report Spam
Many a time, the random messages we receive are usually people selling stuff or some Nigerian Prince with a fortune to giveaway. These unwanted spam and phishing messages pose a serious threat to your security. Once you realise that a chat is spam or a phishing message, make sure you delete and report the user to WhatsApp.
You can do this by tapping on the chat or group name, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on the Report option in red. You can also access this option when you click the three dots on the top right hand corner of your WhatsApp when your in the chat or by simply long pressing.
Once reported, WhatsApp receives the most recent messages sent to you by a reported user or group, as well as information on your recent interactions with the reported user.
While taking these steps are important, it is still best to remain vigilant and alert when you’re online. Even more so when you get random messages from unknowns. That said, don’t use privacy and security as an excuse to not keep in touch with your friends and family!