WhatsApp’s Emerging Threats and Eight Proven Measures to Strengthen Your Privacy

WhatsApp continues to dominate global messaging, boasting more than three billion active users. Its widespread adoption, however, makes it an attractive target for attackers. In December, security researchers identified a sophisticated form of account hijacking dubbed **GhostPairing**. The technique lures users into linking an attacker‑controlled browser with their WhatsApp device, enabling unauthorized access to their account. Earlier in November, Austrian researchers exploited WhatsApp’s contact‑discovery API, flooding the platform with billions of phone numbers. The resulting data set exposed users’ profile photos, “About” information, and additional metadata—constituting the largest public exposure of contact data to date. WhatsApp’s core security remains reliable: end‑to‑end encryption ensures that messages are readable only by the intended participants. Enhancements such as passkey‑encrypted backups and privacy‑enhanced AI features underscore Meta’s commitment to protecting communications. Nevertheless, the evolving threat landscape calls for proactive user‑side safeguards. Below are eight features that can dramatically boost your privacy and security when using WhatsApp. **1. Privacy Check‑up** - Accessible under **Settings → Privacy → Privacy Check‑up**, this tool allows you to control who can view your profile photo, About text, and status updates. Adjust the **Last Seen / Online** toggle to **Nobody** for maximal restriction. From the same menu, you can block specific contacts, manage group‑invitation permissions, and revoke read‑only access for unknown callers. **2. Disappearing Messages** - While end‑to‑end encryption protects data in transit, device‑level compromises or spyware can still expose conversations. The **Disappearing Messages** feature mitigates this risk by deleting content after a user‑chosen period (24 h, 7 d, or 90 d). Configure it per chat or enable it globally under **Settings → Privacy → Default Message Timer**. **3. Two‑Factor Authentication and Security PIN** - WhatsApp relies on a phone number for account creation, a factor that can be abused in SIM‑swap attacks. Enable the **Two‑Step Verification** workflow (found under **Account → Two‑Step Verification**) to add a 6‑digit security PIN that validates all log‑ins. Pair the PIN with an email address for recovery, and consider adding a passkey for an extra layer of safeguard. **4. App Lock and Chat Lock** - To prevent unauthorized screen previews, first disable push‑notification previews in the device’s settings. Then activate **App Lock** (via **Settings → Privacy → App Lock**): unlock the app with FaceID, TouchID, or Android fingerprint. For highly confidential conversations, turn on **Chat Lock**—accessible by tapping a contact’s photo and selecting **Lock Chat**—which stores the conversation in a separate, biometric‑protected folder. **5. Advanced Security Settings** - WhatsApp offers a set of advanced protections that are off by default under **Privacy → Advanced**: - **Block Unknown Messages** stops mass‑message spam. - **Protect Your IP Address** routes calls through WhatsApp servers, concealing your IP but potentially affecting call quality. - **Disable Link Previews** prevents automatic preview generation that could leak your IP. **6. Advanced Chat Privacy** - This feature disables auto‑downloading of media and prevents external sharing of chats that are not on the latest app version. Enable it per contact via **View Contact → Advanced Chat Privacy**. For groups, an admin must toggle **Edit Group Settings** before individual chats can be protected. **7. Disable Read Receipts** - Untick **Read Receipts** under **Privacy** to hide the blue tick that signals message views. Note that this is reciprocal: you will likewise lose the ability to see when others read your messages. **8. Turn Off Media Downloads** - Prevent automatic saving of received media by disabling **Save to Photos** in **Settings → Chats**. WhatsApp will still allow single‑view media and voice notes; simply tap the **1** icon before sending to enforce a one‑time view. In conclusion, while WhatsApp’s fundamental security architecture remains robust, the platform’s global reach invites targeted attacks. By adopting the eight recommended settings—ranging from advanced privacy toggles to biometric app locks—users can maintain control over who sees their data, how long content remains accessible, and whether their device and network remain undisclosed. Meta’s continued collaboration with security researchers and a culture of rigorous detail exemplify its dedication to secure, private communication. > “We continue to lead the industry in meaningful innovations that protect people’s messages and calls, including through collaboration with security researchers to strengthen our defenses,” WhatsApp spokesperson Ellie Heatrick told WIRED. “With every feature we build, we sweat the details to protect what matters most: The ability to communicate privately and securely.”