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CyberProtection

How to Secure Your WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the most-used app in India - and the most targeted by scammers. Here’s how to lock it down completely.

The Biggest WhatsApp Threats

Section titled “The Biggest WhatsApp Threats”

Before we secure your account, understand what you’re protecting against:

  1. Account Takeover - Scammer convinces you to share OTP
  2. Fake Messages - Messages pretending to be from friends/family
  3. Malicious Links - Links that steal data or install malware
  4. Group Spam - Being added to scam groups
  5. Status Tracking - Strangers monitoring when you’re online

Step 1: Enable Two-Step Verification

Section titled “Step 1: Enable Two-Step Verification”

This is the most important setting to enable.

  1. Open WhatsApp
  2. Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification
  3. Tap Enable
  4. Create a 6-digit PIN you’ll remember
  5. Add a recovery email address
🚨 Never Share This PIN

WhatsApp will NEVER ask for this PIN via message or call. If anyone asks, it’s a scam - even if they claim to be WhatsApp support.

Step 2: Control Your Privacy Settings

Section titled “Step 2: Control Your Privacy Settings”

Go to Settings > Privacy and configure:

Last Seen & Online

Section titled “Last Seen & Online”
  • Set to My Contacts or Nobody
  • This prevents strangers from tracking when you’re active

Profile Photo

Section titled “Profile Photo”
  • Set to My Contacts
  • Scammers use your photo to create fake accounts

About

Section titled “About”
  • Set to My Contacts

Groups

Section titled “Groups”
  • Set to My Contacts
  • This prevents random people from adding you to scam groups

Status

Section titled “Status”
  • Set to My Contacts
💡 Recommended Privacy Settings

For maximum security, set everything to “My Contacts”. This ensures only people in your phonebook can see your information.

Step 3: Manage Blocked Contacts

Section titled “Step 3: Manage Blocked Contacts”

Block suspicious numbers immediately:

  1. Open the chat with the suspicious contact
  2. Tap the contact name at the top
  3. Scroll down and tap Block
  4. Also tap Report if it’s a scam

Numbers to Block Immediately:

Section titled “Numbers to Block Immediately:”
  • Unknown numbers sending “urgent” messages
  • Numbers claiming to be bank/government officials
  • Anyone asking for OTP or personal details
  • Numbers sending suspicious links

Step 4: Verify Linked Devices

Section titled “Step 4: Verify Linked Devices”

Check if someone else has access to your WhatsApp:

  1. Go to Settings > Linked Devices
  2. Review all connected devices
  3. Tap on any device you don’t recognize
  4. Tap Log Out
⚠️ Check This Weekly

Make it a habit to check linked devices every week. If you see an unknown device, someone may have accessed your WhatsApp Web without permission.

Step 5: Enable Chat Lock

Section titled “Step 5: Enable Chat Lock”

Hide sensitive chats with an extra layer of security:

  1. Open the chat you want to lock
  2. Tap the contact name
  3. Tap Chat Lock
  4. Enable and set up biometric/fingerprint

Locked chats will move to a hidden “Locked Chats” folder accessible only with your fingerprint.

Step 6: Enable Disappearing Messages (Optional)

Section titled “Step 6: Enable Disappearing Messages (Optional)”

For extra privacy on sensitive conversations:

  1. Open a chat
  2. Tap the contact name
  3. Tap Disappearing Messages
  4. Choose a duration (24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days)

How to Spot WhatsApp Scams

Section titled “How to Spot WhatsApp Scams”

Red Flags to Watch For:

Section titled “Red Flags to Watch For:”
TypeExampleAction
Urgency”Your account will be blocked in 24 hours!”Ignore & Block
OTP Request”Please share the code you received”Never share
Prize/Lottery”You’ve won a free iPhone!”Delete & Block
Impersonation”Hi Dad, I lost my phone, need money”Call the person directly
Job Offers”Earn ₹50,000/day working from home”Too good to be true

Verify Suspicious Messages:

Section titled “Verify Suspicious Messages:”
  1. Call the person on their known number
  2. Ask a personal question only they would know
  3. Check the number - is it their usual number?
  4. Look for language errors - official messages don’t have typos

If Your WhatsApp is Compromised

Section titled “If Your WhatsApp is Compromised”

Act immediately:

  1. Reinstall WhatsApp from the official app store
  2. Verify your phone number with the new OTP
  3. Enable Two-step verification immediately
  4. Check Linked Devices and log out all
  5. Inform your contacts about the compromise
  6. Report to WhatsApp: email support@whatsapp.com

Quick Security Checklist

Section titled “Quick Security Checklist”

Use this checklist to verify your WhatsApp is secure:

  • Two-step verification enabled
  • Privacy settings configured
  • Unknown linked devices removed
  • Suspicious contacts blocked
  • Recovery email added
  • Automatic media download disabled for mobile data
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