WhatsApp has announced new account security features today, adding additional layers of privacy and security for users of the popular messaging application.
These features include additional alerts that may take place if someone tries to move their WhatsApp account to another device, back-end invisible checks to help prevent malware on a device from impacting WhatsApp, and automated security code verification to confirm your secure connection quickly.
These features build off the foundation of default end-to-end encryption that protects personal messages against threats.
According to a blog post released today, the reiterated its commitment towards ensuring that users’ privacy is maintained when they engage in conversations, as well as the ability to take control of the entirety of their messaging experience.
“At WhatsApp, we believe that your messages should be as private and secure as an in-person conversation. Protecting your personal messages with default end-to-end encryption is the foundation of that security, and we’ll never stop building new features to give you extra layers of privacy, and more control over your messages.”
Recall that recently, the platform also rolled out a feature on its app for users to be able to add and sync their WhatsApp accounts on multiple devices. You can read about how to do this here.
Read also: WhatsApp releases voice status and other new features
WhatsApp’s New Security Features
These latest features introduced are Account Protect, Device Verification, and Automatic Security Codes. These are three additional ways to help secure users’ accounts.
“A lot of this work happens behind the scenes without you having to do a thing. Today, we’re excited to tell you about some of the additional security features we’ll be adding in the coming months.”
Account Protect
This feature protects users by double-checking their identity when they intend to switch their WhatsApp account to a new device. It says that from now on, WhatsApp will require users on their old devices to verify that they want to take this step as an extra security check.
The feature can help alert users to an unauthorized attempt to move their account to another device.
Device Verification
WhatsApp has added checks to help authenticate a user’s account – with no action needed from the particular user – and better protect them if the device is compromised.
This lets them continue using WhatsApp uninterrupted. Mobile device malware is one of the biggest threats to people’s privacy and security today because it can take advantage of your phone without your permission and use your WhatsApp to send unwanted messages.
Automatic Security Codes
This feature enables users to easily verify that their account and messaging are secure and with an intended recipient.
“Our most security-conscious users have always been able to take advantage of our security code verification feature, which helps ensure you are chatting with the intended recipient. You can check this manually by going to the Encryption tab under a contact’s info.
To make this process easier and more accessible to everyone, we’re rolling out a security feature based on a process called “Key Transparency” that allows you to automatically verify that you have a secure connection.“
What this means is that when a user clicks on the encryption tab, they will be able to verify right away that their personal conversation is secured.
Additionally, it claims users have to turn on their two-step verification and make use of end-to-end encryption to fully enjoy a secured account and messaging experience.
“While there are many things we can do to make security easy for everyone, there are two features that only you can turn on: two-step verification and the use of end-to-end encrypted backups…If you’re already using both, please tell your friends about them so more people can benefit from these layers of security too.”
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