WhatsApp has created some features to protect your messages from anyone who wants to snoop around without your permission. While there are lots of ways to boost your WhatsApp privacy and security here are three of the most important features to protect your messaging app.
WhatsApp lock
Locking your WhatsApp separately from your iPhone is very important. It means people who are using your phone can’t read your texts. To set this up you simply go to your WhatsApp settings, click “Account” and then “Privacy”.
From here, you can switch on “Screen Lock” with either Touch ID or Face ID. You will also be able to pick a duration time for when the ID is required again.
Once these steps have been followed, whenever you go to open the app, it will ask you for your prints or facial recognition to check it is really you reading your private chats.
However, you can still read and quick reply to messages in your notification window, so the tool isn’t foolproof. You will also be able to answer WhatsApp calls. You can always disable all message previews in your iPhone settings.
WhatsApp self-deleting texts
WhatsApp also has a recently-added feature that will automatically self-destruct new texts after a day. The new update is aimed at boosting your privacy – by destroying old WhatsApp messages.
You can set Disappearing Messages to automatically turn on for all new chats – without affecting existing conversations. And two new durations have been added for Disappearing Messages, 24 hours and 90 days.
This means you can now choose from four options in total: 24 hours, 7 days, 90 days or Off. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy and then turn on Default Message Timer.
This feature was introduced a few weeks ago, so you should ensure your application is updated to WhatsApp latest version. Bear in mind that this system isn’t perfect.
Someone could still screenshot or copy your texts to keep a record of them. So if you really want to keep something off the internet, consider not posting it – unless you’re messaging someone you absolutely trust.
Two-step verification
Finally, you should turn on two-step verification right now. It’s an extra step for verifying your phone number, to help keep hackers out.
Hackers regularly try to break into WhatsApp accounts. Hijacking a WhatsApp account is an easy way to gain the trust of your friends and family, allowing even more sinister scams to be enacted.
To turn on two-step verification, go to Settings > Account and toggle the setting to On.
