Everything you need to know about Whatsapp Security

is whatsapp secure ? Lately, whenever we wanted to maintain constant communication with others, we moved to share our WhatsApp accounts. We chitchat, share, receive and reconnect with others from around the world. It doesn't happen in a vacuum that 1 million people do register on WhatsApp daily. Indeed, the app has managed to remain at the top of the list of the most popular messaging apps for nearly 10 years now. Despite the increasing number of daily active users in WhatsApp, up to 300 million users, many still question the privacy and security of the files and pictures sent via WhatsApp.
Therefore, is the safety of your data emphasized as a big deal in WhatsApp? This question is a highlight when it comes to the projected trends in the number of WhatsApp users' satisfaction after being owned by Facebook.

"Privacy and Security is in our DNA," WhatsApp Declared

According to WhatsApp, a giant control over any kind of information sent via WhatsApp platform is secured; let it be a photo, video, voice message, document or call. WhatsApp has assured to intensify more efforts to keep any third party out of interference. To this end, WhatsApp adds more layers of protection in the form of end-to-end encryption and backup to cloud methods.

End-to-End Encryption

As a definitive security mechanism, end-to-end encryption means that a message is coded on the sender’s device and decoded on the recipient’s device. As WhatsApp has made clear, it transforms every data sent into encrypted codes that no one but the sender and receiver can read its content. Also, for more security purposes WhatsApp has excluded itself from the picture in order not to give any chance of interference between the two users. This process is automatically undertaken by WhatsApp.

1. Two different keys are created (public & private) when the user first opens WhatsApp. The mechanism of encryption is set on the phone itself.
2. The private key will stay with the recipient, whereas the central WhatsApp server passes the public key to the receiver.
3. Even before it hits the centralized server, the public key encrypts the sender's message on the phone.
4. The encrypted message is transmitted via the server.
5. The message can only be opened using the receiver's private key.

How Do You Verify that WhatsApp is Using End-to-End Encryption??

You can assure the mechanism of encryption that WhatsApp has brought into practice through simple taps you perform manually:

1. Click in the contacts name on WhatsApp to open the info screen.
2. Tap on "Encryption".
3. Scan your contacts' QR code or visually compare the 60-digit number.
4. In case they match, your chats are encrypted.

Is the Government Proposal to Have a Backdoor Through the Users Data Compatible with End-to-End Encryption?

WhatsApp has always considered this proposal as troublesome. It clarifies that this won't just open the data to government agencies but to cyber criminals too. It is a risky step to give some official agencies access to the data of its users in order to help reveal the identity of some terrorists and invaders. Furthermore, at the same time, this backdoor will expose millions more innocent people to danger. WhatsApp has made it clear when it can collaborate with law enforcement officials who ask for user information regarding serious issues of imminent harm or risk of death or physical injury. That is to say, WhatsApp will "search for and disclose information that is specified with particularity in an appropriate form of the legal process and which reasonably able to locate and retrieve."

What Other Apps that Have End-to-End Encryption?

WhatsApp isn't the only app in the market with this master feature. There are some other encrypted messaging apps helping you to stop people from snooping on your conversations. For example, Signal, Telegram, Wickr Me and Line. However, the encryption in these apps is not enabled by default, while end-to-end encryption is always activated in WhatsApp, and there's no way to turn it off.

Cloud Backup

WhatsApp displays an option for you to backup all messages by uploading a copy of your data on Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone). This makes an advantage when you are changing phones and need to restore your WhatsApp account. It is important to understand that backing up your account within WhatsApp isn’t equivalent to exporting WhatsApp content beyond WhatsApp. To put it simply:

• Backups are stored in an encrypted WhatsApp database format. This method can't be accessed outside WhatsApp. To back up chats: Go to WhatsApp > tap More options > Settings > Chats > Chat backup > BACK UP

• Exporting content to your Google Drive isn't encrypted and can be opened and read outside WhatsApp. You can use the export chat feature to export a copy of your chat history from an individual or group chat. Open the individual or group chat and tap More options > More > Export chat > Choose whether to export with media or without media.

To Shed Light on Some of WhatsApp Drawbacks

Nothing in this world is perfect, and it is known that human is to err, even for an app that is used worldwide with more than 65 billion messages sent per day.

No way but a third party involved

It is great to have an option when you are in a pressing need to change your phone while keeping your data saved. However, you still lose control over what is hit via WhatsApp. That is to say, security isn't 100% guaranteed as all that you share can be screenshotted, forwarded or stored on other devices. It is not calming to get to see your words are shattered around with more than a third party! But that doesn't necessarily mean to have it only from individuals you are talking to, but, indeed, it may involve another reason where WhatsApp choose to invest your data for promotional purposes. Proceed reading to understand how.

Malware Threat

Secondly, you must have already received some infected links or files via WhatsApp enticing you to take action, and then, boom! You fall a victim to a malware threat. You have no idea how vulnerable your data becomes when exposed to such malware threats due to some bugs allowing hackers to use malicious ways to attack your device. For example, WhatsApp sues Israel's NSO firm for illegally helping spies hack phones of roughly 1,400 users across four continents. It was of a serious matter, for their targets included diplomats, political dissidents, journalists and senior government officials.

It can be simpler since a malicious GIF inserted in your device through any channel can essentially put all the content of your device at risk.

Have you come across the nickname "Agent Smith"?

It is another threat announced to have attacked Android devices without having their users alerted. According to Forbs, "Agent Smith" is considered as, " the worst attacks on Android operating system in the recent memory." They declared that it only intends to pop up some advertisements when the user opens WhatsApp, but who knows whether such malware will go beyond the ad. It goes into far more burdensome and dangerous purposes, such as banking credential theft and eavesdropping.

WhatsApp updated its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and included that now it is part of the Facebook family of companies. This moves it to share some information with Facebook in an attempt to improve user's experience in all of the Facebook family of companies. The information shared will include account information, your phone number and last time you used WhatsApp services. The good part is that the end-to-end encryption is still activated and nothing you share with your chats can be seen by neither WhatsApp nor Facebook staff. It states that the reason behind connecting your phone number with Facebook is helping you find better friend suggestions and more relevant ads. Moreover, it claims that this will help count unique users and fight spam and abuse. The matter starts now with sharing phone numbers, but who knows what other plans Facebook has for the most popular messaging app ever. Brian Acton, a founder of WhatsApp, has a different perspective of Facebook as he says, "I sold my users' privacy to a larger benefit. I made a choice and a compromise. And I live with that every day." He anticipates that Facebook's next plan is making money from WhatsApp by showing targeted ads in WhatsApp's new Status feature. This is the thing that will destroy Acton's ever hardworking motto of maintaining an ad-free app, while Facebook is acting as just businesspeople do.

How Safe Are Your Photos on WhatsApp?

As we aforementioned, you should always keep in mind that hacks do occur. When hackers mean to pry on your information and pictures, they will work day and night to drag them out. Also, this process gets easier when you connect to insecure Wi-Fi networks, like that at the airport or crowded coffee places on the street. Well, the data plans, in this case, represent a more secure option for you. Visit here to know more about how Numero eSIM Data Plans will save your back.

Although you can block your WhatsApp from storing sent and received photos on your phone’s photo albums, you still should make sure your private photos stay private. The good news after the end-to-end encryption has enabled, WhatsApp stores all communications including audios, videos and images on its servers upon sending until all recipients have received them. Once all recipients have received the photo, it's deleted from WhatsApp's servers. This is why it tells you when you click on an old photo sent via WhatsApp " can't view this photo because it's no longer on your phone." And they remain blurred in your chats! It is still concerning because your media can be stick in there for not less than 30 days.

After all, you should always act like they are stored forever. Also, just be smart about who you are sending pictures to and smarter about what kinds of pictures you send.

Change your WhatsApp Number/Phone Without Losing your Data

First: Changing your WhatsApp Phone Number

WhatsApp has covered all that you need when you change your WhatsApp number. That is, you have the "Change Number" feature allowing you to change your number in WhatsApp on your same phone:

Tap on Settings After using this feature, the account associated with your old phone number will be deleted, and your profile information, groups and setting will be migrated to your new phone number. WhatsApp enables you to notify your contacts of your new phone number without going through the hassle of informing them all individually.

Second: Changing Your Phone into a Different Type

It is worth mentioning that all your information is tied to the phone number. For example, if you want to change your phone from an iPhone to an Android without changing your number, you can simply download WhatsApp on the new phone and verify your same number. Yet, you have to note that changing the type of phone doesn't allow you to migrate messages.

Third: Changing Your Phone into a Same Type

Changing your phone from, for example, Android to Android gives an option to migrate your messages. That is, you can transfer your WhatsApp data to a new phone by restoring from Google Drive or a local backup. Check how from right here. Is your old account subject to hacking if you forget to delete it? In case the new owner of your old number activates WhatsApp on his new phone after 45 days, all of your account information linked to that phone number will be removed entirely. However, in all cases, stay safer by wiping all your data and SD card before giving away your old phone. This is for further insurance that no one will reach your data.

Cases That Cause Temporarily Banned Accounts

You may receive a notification informing that your account is "Temporarily Banned" due to some violation you have broken related to WhatsApp terms and conditions. Misuse of WhatsApp my drive your number to be on the ban list when:

• Sending illegal, offensive, defamatory or dangerous messages.
• Sending rumors, links with malware or ethically harassing materials.
• Impersonating someone.
• Sending too many messages, automated and bulk messages to those users not on your contact list, for this is considered ad spamming messages.
• Playing or tweaking WhatsApp's code.
• Sending viruses or malware to other users.
• Using any other unofficial and unsupported WhatsApp apps, such as WhatsApp Plus, GB WhatsApp, or WhatsApp Gold, etc.
• Getting blocked by multiple users in a short period.
• Getting reported by many users.

To reactivate WhatsApp after it has suspended, you first have to commit to WhatsApp rules, understand the case you have violated and act accordingly. In case you haven't done serious damage, your account may be banned for a minimum of 48-72 hours. If it takes a longer time for WhatsApp to remove the ban, you need to send an email to support@whatsapp.com and politely inquire for reactivation. On the contrary, it may be suspended for life if the act you have pursued has dangerously occurred. Then all that you have in hand is creating a new account with a new phone number.

WhatsApp Privacy Tips

• Gain the Permission of Others

Before getting yourself in trouble for sending many messages for numbers not saved in your contacts, make sure to provide your number first and tell where you have got their numbers and for what purposes. This is usually encountered by marketers who want to run their marketing campaigns. Above all, you have to respect their refusal of sending more messages to them or adding them to unknown groups. Moreover, don't share numbers without the consent of their owners.

• Avoid the Overuse of Automated Messages or Broadcast List

Remember you are dealing with human beings who may accept your automated messages twice or three times a day, but the overuse of them may turn in reverse. That said, these messages may result in getting your number blocked or reported by many users.

• Avoid the Spreading of Fake News and Rumors

Having the forwarded message labeled when sent to you is good enough for you to determine that the sender doesn’t write it themself. Here you may question the credibility of the message and rethink twice before resending it to others. Therefore, paly the role of a dedicative when receiving misleading news or media so that you won’t be the reason of spreading rumors.

• Avoid Weird Messages from Unknown Users

If you receive any message or link that you are not pretty much sure about its content or source, secure your account and data and never click on it, especially when it contains offers