WhatsApp has secured its position as the world’s most popular messaging app, with over two billion global users. Over the years, the app has evolved into a multifaceted communication service. We use it to chat, share photos and videos, make voice and video calls, send documents, and even share our location. But with all this convenience, it is natural to wonder how protected your data is on WhatsApp.
Is WhatsApp Safe?
Yes, WhatsApp is definitely one of the safest messaging apps out there. The team behind it has really put a lot of effort into making sure your security and privacy are top-notch, and it shows. There are numerous measures in place to keep your messages, calls, backups, and overall the entire app protected. However, even with all these security measures, it’s important to note that none of it is foolproof. Like any other online service, WhatsApp has its strengths and vulnerabilities, and it is a good idea to be aware of both.
What Makes WhatsApp Safe?
WhatsApp has a solid, multi-layered security system designed to keep your chats and data protected. Let’s imagine you’re setting up your WhatsApp account with all the security features already turned on. First, to log in, you would need your phone number and a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to that number. This alone makes it tough for anyone to log in without your phone in hand. But it doesn’t stop there. If you have two-step verification enabled, right after entering the OTP, you’ll be asked for a six-digit PIN. Then, if you have encrypted your backup, you’ll need to enter a password to restore that backup. After jumping through all these hoops, you’ll finally have access to your chats. And for an extra layer of security, you can add a biometric lock to the app, so even if someone gets hold of your phone, they still won’t be able to open WhatsApp without your fingerprint or face scan.
At the heart of WhatsApp’s security is something called end-to-end encryption (E2EE). You have probably heard of this term before, but what does it actually mean? In a nutshell, end-to-end encryption ensures that the messages you send on WhatsApp can only be read by you and the person you’re sending them to. No one else, not even WhatsApp or Meta, can see your messages. This level of strong privacy is what sets WhatsApp apart from other messaging platforms. It’s like having a private conversation in a room where no one else can enter. And even if someone tried to eavesdrop, all they’d hear is gibberish because the messages are scrambled in a way that only your recipient can understand.
How Does WhatsApp’s End-to-End Encryption Actually Work?
In the early days of instant messaging (IM), your messages would transmit in plain text. That means they were very easy to intercept and read. Even your internet service provider could see the messages you had sent and received. That all changed with encryption, and end-to-end encryption is the latest and safest iteration of that. WhatsApp’s implementation of E2EE comes from Signal, another messaging app that prides itself on its focus on privacy and security. Since 2014, WhatsApp has been using Signal’s open source protocol for E2EE named, Open Whisper Systems.
It’s a bit like sending a secret code that only you and your friend know how to decipher. When you send a message, it gets locked with a special key, known as a security code. This 60-digit key is unique to your conversation and changes with every new chat you start. When your friend receives the message, their phone uses the same key to unlock the message and read it. Now, what’s important here is that these keys are only stored locally on your devices, and not on WhatsApp’s servers. This means that even if someone managed to intercept your messages or calls as the data travels through the internet, they wouldn’t be able to read them without the right key. Also, once your message is delivered to your friend’s phone, it is removed from WhatsApp’s servers. This is why your chats are usually only available on your own phone unless you back them up to a cloud service.
Is WhatsApp Safe to Send Private Pictures?
WhatsApp uses the same end-to-end encryption for photos and videos as it does for text messages, making it very safe for you to send private pictures. However, it doesn’t end there. For added safety, WhatsApp also has a feature known as “view once.” You can set your private pictures to view once when sending them. That way, the recipient will only get to view that picture once. Plus, the view once feature also prevents the recipient from taking screenshots, making it even safer. However, it’s important to note that there are chrome extensions and WhatsApp clones that can bypass the screenshot restriction.
What Security Features Does WhatsApp Offer to Protect You?
In addition to encryption, WhatsApp offers a number of security features that can help protect your account and your data.
One of the essential ones is Two-Step Verification. This is like adding an extra lock to your front door. With Two-Step Verification enabled, you will need to enter a PIN code every time you set up WhatsApp on your phone. This means that even if someone gets a hold of your SIM card, or they somehow intercept your text messages for OTP, they still won’t be able to access your WhatsApp account without your six-digit PIN.
Then there’s biometric authentication. If your phone supports it, you can lock your WhatsApp with your fingerprint (Touch ID) or facial (Face ID) recognition. This way, even if someone gets hold of your phone, they won’t be able to open WhatsApp.
Another handy feature is disappearing messages. You can set your messages to self-destruct after a certain period of time. This is great if you are sharing sensitive information that you don’t want lingering in your chat history.
Lastly, WhatsApp also allows you to encrypt your backups. While your conversations are protected by end-to-end encryption, this doesn’t automatically apply to your backups on Google Drive or iCloud. However, WhatsApp gives you the option to secure these backups with a password or encryption key that only you know, so even if your cloud storage account somehow gets compromised, your backup will remain encrypted.
Is There a Security Problem With WhatsApp?
So, we’ve established that WhatsApp is indeed very safe to use, with plenty of security measures in place to keep your conversations secure.
But what could go wrong? Is there any real security issue?
Well, there are potential vulnerabilities. Even though WhatsApp ensures that no one can look into your messages, there are a lot of data collected from you, their parent company Meta doesn’t boast confidence when it comes to the safety of user data, and encryption means malicious links and messages remain unmoderated.
Let’s start with the information WhatsApp collects about you. While WhatsApp might not be snooping on your messages, it does know when you’ve sent and received a message. It also has access to your name, “About” info, phone number, profile picture, and your active status. And while it doesn’t collect your entire contact list, it does keep a record of your contacts who are also using WhatsApp.
If you’re using the live location sharing feature, WhatsApp likely has your geolocation data as well. For those using WhatsApp Payments, it may also collect information about the amount, recipient, and even shipping details. On top of that, it can gather data like your time zone, the signal strength of your Wi-Fi and cellular data, and your device model.
So, these are some of the pieces of information that WhatsApp might be collecting and storing on their servers. Now, you might trust WhatsApp with that data, but what if someone else is looking at it? WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has faced scrutiny and legal challenges over the years regarding data privacy issues. While WhatsApp boasts state-of-the-art security features and is generally considered more secure than Facebook and Instagram, the question remains, can we really trust Meta with our data?
However, data breaches and the selling of your information aren’t the only ways your WhatsApp account could be compromised. Have you ever received a message from an unknown number claiming you’ve won a giveaway for something you didn’t even enter, or offering you a job you never applied for? If so, you’ve likely encountered scammers. It’s really easy for them to reach you on WhatsApp, as all they need is your phone number. And it’s not just scammers; hackers can also try to lure you in with phishing links to steal your login credentials or even your bank information. Recently, with WhatsApp Desktop and Web’s QR login system, there’s been a rise in bad actors trying to convince people to scan QR codes that can end up giving them access to your entire account.
Because WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, there’s not a lot of room for WhatsApp to moderate what’s being shared. This means fake news can spread freely on WhatsApp. While fake news might not seem like a direct threat since it doesn’t aim to steal your personal information, it can have much bigger consequences, causing panic and real-world harm.
How To Keep WhatsApp Safe?
So, what can you do?
How do you protect yourself from hackers, scammers, data leaks? Honestly, it’s not that hard. Start by using all the security features WhatsApp offers, enable 2FA, set up biometric locks, and make sure your backups are encrypted. And when it comes to PIN codes and passwords, always use unique ones. If you find it tricky to remember them all, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden or LastPass. Even though your data is encrypted, if you want to make things even more private, especially from your ISP or maybe even your government, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) like NordVPN or ProtonVPN.
To protect yourself from malicious links, always try to verify the sender first. Take a good look at the link before clicking on it, or better yet, avoid clicking on it altogether if something feels off. For an extra layer of protection, you might want to use an anti-malware program like McAfee or Norton. Most antivirus software these days comes with enhanced internet security, which helps block those sketchy links. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on “Linked devices.” This feature lets you see which devices you’re logged in to, and you can quickly remove any devices you don’t recognize.
As for fake news, always fact-check. Before you share or forward anything you get on WhatsApp, take a moment to verify its authenticity and source. See if other trusted outlets are reporting the same story, and make use of fact-checking websites.
In general, avoid sharing personal information online unless you absolutely have to, and you trust the person, site, or service you’re giving it to. And don’t forget to use the block & report feature whenever you think it’s necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About WhatsApp
Is WhatsApp Safe on Mobile?
Yes, WhatsApp is generally safer on mobile compared to computers. iPhones and Android phones offer much better protection than desktop environments. Hackers can more easily send malware to computers, and since WhatsApp’s Desktop and Web apps are still relatively new, they might have some vulnerabilities that the smartphone apps don’t have. Moreover, many cybersecurity experts don’t recommend using WhatsApp’s desktop and web apps for these reasons.
Is WhatsApp Safe from Hackers?
Yes, WhatsApp is generally safe from hackers, thanks to its strong security features like end-to-end encryption. This means that your messages can only be read by you and the person you’re sending them to, not even WhatsApp can see them. However, no app is completely hack-proof. Hackers might still try to trick you with phishing scams or malicious links, so it’s important to be cautious. Always enable Two-Step Verification for extra protection and be careful about what you click on.
Can WhatsApp Be Tracked?
While WhatsApp messages and calls are end–to-end encrypted, metadata such as timestamps, read receipts, recipient information, and location data (if shared) can be tracked by WhatsApp, Meta and potentially third parties, including governments. However, the contents of your messages remain secure and unreadable by others without your unique security keys.
Is WhatsApp Safe for Kids?
WhatsApp can be safe for Kids, however parental supervision is always recommended. The app’s end-to-end encryption protects the messages, but children can still be exposed to inappropriate content or targeted by online scammers. Parents should properly educate their children about online safety and setting boundaries. And it is always a good practice to monitor their online activities.
Is WhatsApp Safer Than Messenger?
Yes, WhatsApp is generally considered safer than Messenger. While Messenger recently added end-to-end encryption for all chats, making it safer than it used to be, WhatsApp has always placed a stronger emphasis on privacy and security. Plus, because Messenger is tied to Facebook, it’s more likely to be targeted by hackers and there is a risk of losing more personal data than just conversations.
How to turn on Two-Step Verification on WhatsApp?
To turn on two-step verification on WhatsApp, you must first go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Two-step verification. Tap turn on or set up PIN and enter a six-digit PIN. It may prompt you to add an email address. You can either add it or tap skip if you don’t want to add an email address. And after confirming all that, Two-step verification should be enabled on your WhatsApp account.
Can Someone Access My Photos on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp saves photos and videos locally to your phone’s gallery by default. However, if you use cloud services to back up your gallery, they can be potentially vulnerable to hacking. Otherwise, one would need to have physical access to your phone to see your photos. For enhanced privacy, you can turn off the auto-save feature from WhatsApp settings.
Can Someone Access My WhatsApp Without Me Knowing?
If someone physically gains access to your phone, they could potentially access your WhatsApp. Additionally, if your phone number is compromised, a hacker could gain access to your WhatsApp account. Moreover, one could gain access to your WhatsApp very easily if you are scammed into scanning any QR code with your WhatsApp. Always be on the lookout for suspicious activities, such as unrequested OTP codes and unrecognised devices in WhatsApp’s “Linked devices”. To mitigate the risk, enable 2FA.
Wrapping Up
WhatsApp is one of the safest messaging platforms available today, but you can never be too safe on the internet. WhatsApp, like every other app and online services, has its vulnerabilities. The key is to always monitor potential suspicious activities and take action accordingly. Moreover, take advantage of every security feature the app has to offer.
To read more about the safety of other popular messaging apps, check out our articles on Snapchat and Telegram. These articles explore the security measures, potential risks, and best practices to help you stay safe while using these platforms.