If you want to keep your WhatsApp account safe, turn on these 8 important features immediately

WhatsApp Security Features: WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging app in the world today, but its popularity also makes it an easy target for hackers and scammers. 

Recently, new cyberattacks like GhostPairing have emerged, which can link a user's account to another device without their knowledge. Research has also revealed that millions of mobile numbers and profile data are at risk of being leaked through the Contact Discovery feature. 

Therefore, enabling some of WhatsApp's security features has become extremely important. Here, we're telling you about 8 such amazing features of WhatsApp.

Privacy Checkup

WhatsApp's Privacy Checkup feature allows users to control their privacy settings from one place. Going to Settings > Privacy > Privacy Checkup allows you to adjust the visibility of your profile photo, status, and About section. 

Last Seen and Online status can also be hidden here. You can also control permissions for unwanted calls, messages, and group additions.

Disappearing Messages

The Disappearing Messages feature automatically makes messages disappear after a set period of time. Users can choose from 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. 

This can be applied to all new chats via the Default Message Timer option in Settings under Privacy. While this feature doesn't prevent screenshots or externally saving messages, it does limit chat history.

Two-Step Verification

Two-step verification is a crucial feature to protect WhatsApp accounts from hacking. A security PIN can be set by going to Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification. 

You can also add an email address to your account so that your account can be recovered if you forget the PIN. WhatsApp now also supports PassKey, further reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

App Lock and Chat Lock

WhatsApp also offers App Lock and Chat Lock features. The App Lock feature allows you to lock the app using Face ID, Touch ID, or your fingerprint. Additionally, specific chats can be protected separately using the Chat Lock feature. 

Locked chats are moved to a separate folder and cannot be opened without biometric access. These chats can also be quickly cleared if needed.

Advanced Security Settings

Advanced security settings allow users to block messages from unknown numbers. They also offer options like IP address protection and disabling link previews. 

These settings help protect against online tracking and phishing scams, particularly those caused by unknown links and messages.

Advanced Chat Privacy

The advanced chat privacy feature gives users more control over their chat data, including preventing auto-downloading of media and limiting chats from being shared outside WhatsApp. 

AI features can also control the use of messages. These settings can be applied separately to both individual chats and groups.

Read Receipts

Turning off read receipts prevents the other person from seeing whether you've read your message. This setting can be done by going to Privacy and turning off Read Receipts. 

However, this feature doesn't apply to group chats and works both ways. This means you won't be able to see others' read statuses.

Media Downloads

WhatsApp's automatic saving of media to the phone's gallery can also pose a privacy risk. This can be prevented by turning off Chats in Settings and then Save to Photos. 

Additionally, photos and videos can be sent with a One-Time View option, which automatically disappears after viewing. This feature is especially useful for sensitive content.