5 Ways of Keeping Your WhatsApp Chats Private

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide. However, keeping your data secure is the most important thing, regardless of the application you use.

Despite having heaps of privacy features, sometimes WhatsApp can be vulnerable, too. Here are 5 ways of keeping your WhatsApp chats private:

1. Use A VPN
2. Enable Multi-Step Verification
3. Avoid Suspicious Messages
4. Use Biometric Lock
5. Backup Carefully

Privacy Features of WhatsApp

​​WhatsApp offers numerous privacy features to help users control their personal information and secure their conversations:

1. End-to-end Encryption: By default, all communications on WhatsApp, including calls, texts, images, videos, and documents, are encrypted from end to end.This implies that WhatsApp cannot access messages; only you and the recipient can read or listen to the content.

2. Two-Step Verification: WhatsApp users can activate two-factor authentication, or 2FA, which is another name for two-step verification.

Requiring a six-digit PIN code each time you set up WhatsApp on a new device provides additional security.

Even if someone else obtains your SIM card, two-step verification helps prevent unwanted access to your account.

3. Privacy Settings: WhatsApp has a range of privacy settings that let users manage who can access their personal details, photos, last seen status, and about section.

Users can disclose this information to all of their contacts, only some of them, or no one at all.

4. Block Contacts: You can block someone on WhatsApp if you want to stop them from getting in touch with you. Blocked contacts cannot message you, access your profile picture and about section, or see your online status.

5. Disappearing Messages: WhatsApp unveiled the “Disappearing Messages” feature, which allows users to send messages that vanish after a certain amount of time.

Individual chats can activate this function, and communications will automatically expire after seven days.

6. Biometric Lock: WhatsApp allows users to lock the app using biometric identification (facial ID or fingerprint) on compatible devices.

This can increase security even further and prevent someone else from physically accessing your smartphone and your chats without authorization.

7. Limited Data Sharing: WhatsApp clarifies that it does not provide Facebook access to your call or message histories for marketing purposes.

However, WhatsApp provides Facebook user data for additional uses, such as enhancing delivery and infrastructure, including account registration and usage information.

These privacy features help users maintain control over their personal information and ensure their conversations remain secure and private.

Users must, however, be aware of how these features operate and constantly check and modify their privacy settings to suit their tastes.

5 Privacy Tips for WhatsApp

At a glance, you might not realize the need for additional privacy on WhatsApp. Yet, the recent cases of messages, photos, and other private information getting leaked have rang a warning bell.

Here are 5 privacy tips through which you will be able to stay secure and private on WhatsApp:

1. Use A VPN: Using a Virtual Private Network(VPN) will not only ensure your data is shielded from the outside world but will also help you keep your identity hidden and encrypt your complete data(including metadata) to be hidden under the veil of privacy.VPNs also have dedicated IP addresses and servers in other locations, so if you ever feel your ISP might see any of your WhatsApp or private browsing details, connecting to a VPN would prevent that.

2. Enable Multi-Step Verification: WhatsApp provides multi-step verification(usually 2-step authentication) for users. To receive a confirmation PIN, you have to provide a 6-digit PIN and your email address.Enable this Multi-Step Verification to keep your data private on WhatsApp.

3. Avoid Suspicious Messages: You might often receive random links and files from unknown individuals. Do not click them.Most often, these are phishing links that steal your data the moment you click them or add a virus to your device, making your device vulnerable to outsiders.

4. Use Biometric Lock: WhatsApp allows you to lock the app using biometric authentication (facial ID or fingerprint ID) on devices that enable it.This can increase security even further and stop someone else from physically accessing your smartphone and your chats without authorization.

5. Backup Carefully: If you decide to store your WhatsApp data on cloud services (Google Cloud or iCloud), you must understand that end-to-end encrypted messages are significantly more secure than backups stored on those services.Encryption might also benefit your device backups. Using a VPN is also advised in this situation.

Security Hazards of WhatsApp

Since WhatsApp stores user information, some additional security hazards follow. Some of them are listed below:

1. Privacy Concerns: WhatsApp gathers specific user data, including phone numbers, device details, and use data, even with end-to-end encryption.If a third party obtains this information, it can be used to threaten users or even hack them.
2. Integration with Meta apps: WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy allows users to share data with Meta and its subsidiaries(Facebook, Instagram, etc.) for targeted advertising and other purposes.

3. Phishing: Scams and phishing attempts can affect WhatsApp like any other messaging service.Hackers and data thieves may pretend to be reputable people or businesses and trick you into disclosing personal information, opening malicious links, or downloading viruses.

4. Security Vulnerabilities: Like other apps, WhatsApp is susceptible to security flaws. In the past, attackers have found and used vulnerabilities like buffer overflow exploits and zero-day vulnerabilities to propagate malware or obtain unauthorized access to user data.

5. Fake News and Misinformation: WhatsApp has been used to spread propaganda, false information, and fake news, which has impacted society and politics.Because of the platform’s end-to-end encryption, it is difficult to monitor and stop false information propagation properly.

Alternative Solution-Signal

An alternative solution to using WhatsApp is Signal. It offers the best service, in terms of privacy and security

For optimal security, Signal provides an AES-256-bit encryption scheme. In addition to these privacy features, it provides destructive messages, screen record prevention (preventing recording during calls), snapshot protection, and phone number privacy.

Signal’s user interface is simple, minimalistic, and emphasizes clarity. Because it is simple to use and has obvious basic functionalities, people of all ages can easily navigate it.

Conclusion

Staying private and secure is the most essential aspect of using the Internet. Whether using VoIP apps or random websites, you need to ensure your data safety and maintain anonymity. Remind yourself of these notions and follow the steps of keeping your WhatsApp chats private!