Are you a WhatsApp user? Here are the steps to avoid cyber attack

Posted on: Dec 29, 2022 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Are you a WhatsApp user? Here are the steps to avoid cyber attack

Security Tips to Avoid Cyber Attack on Whatsapp

In today’s world, it is very tough to find someone who does not use WhatsApp. Be it work or your social life, Whatsapp is one of the most widely used applications on phones today. WhatsApp is a messaging application on mobile phones which is owned by Meta. With millions of users, this application is one of the easiest targets for cybercriminals and hackers.

If you study cyber insurance, you will realise how WhatsApp is used by these people for cyber-attacks. Any user today needs to be careful about the privacy settings to stay safe on the app. The settings have to be proper to avoid cybersecurity issues and data hacking and thus, updating the app and the settings are essential.

Phishing attacks are covered under cyber insurance policy. But the main aim should be to avoid attacks and hacks of any kind rather than getting stressed to settle a claim. The main and rather simplest thing that can be done by any WhatsApp user is to change their settings. Let us find out what changes need to be made in the WhatsApp app to stay safe from scams and threats.

WhatsApp settings to avoid cyber-attacks: Stepwise guide

In settings, the first thing that must be done is to enable two-step verification and have a screen lock on the phone settings. If you want to activate the two-step verification, follow the following steps:

1. Go to settings on the WhatsApp app

2. Click on the option, Account, which is the first option

3. There you will find the option for Two-step verification

4. Enable it

5. There is a prompt to enter a six-digit pin as per choice and confirm it

6. Give an email address or there is an option to skip this step

7. Confirm the email address

8. Save the settings

Though providing the email is optional, it must always be done, as in case the 6-digit pin is forgotten, a link will be sent via email to help you continue using the application and also to keep the account safe.

Tips you should keep in mind to protect against hackers attacks via WhatsApp:

In 2021, the IRDAI issued guidelines to insurance companies to structure cyber security insurance for individuals so that the gaps could be filled. During the pandemic and post that also, online activities have increased, and this puts individual users also at a big risk of cyber-attacks. One of the most widely used apps is WhatsApp. Though the two-step verification is there to keep the phone and the information safe there are some more tips that must be kept in mind to protect your phone from attacks and hacks.

1. Tip #1: Never click on any suspicious link:

Hacking through unethical links is the most common method used by hackers. When you see the cases of hacking and scams in cyber insurance, you will realise these are the easiest method to hack into anyone’s phone and use the data unethically. The main thing to keep in mind is that you should never click on a link you have the slightest doubt about. The link should be from your contact and someone you trust. Any payment which warrants any monetary transaction should always be double-checked to avoid any scam.

2. Tip #2: Chats should be end-to-end encrypted:

Chats on WhatsApp should always be encrypted end-to-end. To check this, you need to follow the following steps:

○ Open chat

○ Tap on the name of the contact

○ The info screen will open

○ Tap on encryption

○ View the 60-digit number and the QR code

The main aim is to do this so that no one, including WhatsApp, can read the message, and only the sender and receiver will be able to read it. This gives the user complete privacy and security.

3. Tip #3: Deactivate WhatsApp in case of theft or loss of phone:

When you lose your phone, or it gets stolen, the first thing that you should do is deactivate WhatsApp. If anyone hacks the phone, they can get all your information easily through your chats on the app. To do the same, you should go to the settings and then select the option to delete your account. Post this, you will need to enter the phone number, and then you can delete your account. Always have a cyber insurance policy and a portable equipment policy to ensure you have adequate coverage to cover the loss.

4. Tip #4: Change privacy settings:

There are many privacy settings available to WhatsApp users. There are options that allow you to see who can see your profile photo and other details like status etc. The preferable option is to only allow your contacts to be able to see this. This would imply that only those people whose numbers and details are saved on your phone will have access to these updates.

5. Tip #5: Lock the screen on WhatsApp:

Android phones have the option to lock the WhatsApp screen. This means that only you will be able to access your WhatsApp on your phone. To enable this, you need to go to Settings, click on privacy and choose the option of Screen Lock. Your fingerprint will need to be registered for this. After this, every time you need to open your WhatsApp, you will need to use your fingerprints to get access.

6. Tip #6: Log out of WhatsApp on the laptop:

WhatsApp web is an option that many of us use as it is easy to work on your laptop and desktop and use WhatsApp. You must take care of logging out every time after use, especially when you are using it on your desktop. The chances of someone using your desktop are high, and if they do so, they will have access to all data on your phone available on your WhatsApp. Before signing off for the day, you must always log off from your desktop to stay safe.

Conclusion

Cyber security insurance policies have become one of the most popular ones in the last decade or so, and this is merely because of the fact that cyber attacks have increased by many folds. When it comes to individuals, one of the easiest ways for hackers is to use the information on the phone to get financial and other important data. And this makes WhatsApp their easy bet. We share a lot of confidential information on the app with different people, and thus if anyone gets access to this, they have almost everything they will need. Thus, you should follow the above tips and ensure your phone is safe and so is your data from hackers, and you can use your apps easily without stress.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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