WhatsApp: Turn on these settings now to protect your privacy, users advised

If you are one of the 2 million users of popular messaging app, WhatsApp, there are two simple steps you can take to protect your privacy. Without these, you might be setting yourself up to be scammed or snooped on.

Two-step verification

This is a feature introduced by the Meta-owned WhatsApp to offer users an extra layer of security. It is the screen that appears after you have successfully registered your phone number on the app. According to the company:

Two-step verification is an optional feature that adds more security to your WhatsApp account. When enabling this feature, you create and confirm a unique PIN that’s required to access your account.

Be reminded that the PIN you choose is different from the 6-digit registration code they will send you via SMS or phone call upon registration. You will need the two-step verification PIN when you try to register your number again, for instance when you change phone.

This makes it impossible for hackers to take over your account remotely.

Keep messages locked

You know that uneasy feeling you get when you hand your phone over to that nosey friend, and you suspect they might be going through your messages? Well, there’s an easy of preventing that from happening. You need to lock your WhatsApp separately to your iPhone, according to The Sun.

All you need to do is go to your WhatsApp settings, click on ‘Account’ and then ‘Privacy’. You will have the option to turn on ‘Screen Lock’ with either Touch or Face ID.

What this does is that when you go to open the app, it’ll demand you verify it's you by inputting the chosen ID. Since those are personal to you, you can be rest assured no one else will have access to your texts. Unless messages show up in the notification window.

Read more:

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⋙ Scam warning: WhatsApp scam alert could cost you £1000

⋙ Whatsapp: Read a deleted message thanks to this trick