WhatsApp announces new security features

In an effort to enable users to secure their account, WhatsApp announces three new features; Account Protect, Device Verification, Automatic Security Codes.

WhatsApp announces additional security features that it will be adding in the coming months to enable users be as private and secure as an in-person conversation.

Account Protect: If you need to switch your WhatsApp account to a new device – WhatsApp will double check that it’s really you. From now on, the app may ask you on your old device to verify that you want to take this step as an extra security check. This feature can help alert you to an unauthorized attempt to move your account to another device.

Device Verification: 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. To help prevent this, WhatsApp has added checks to help authenticate your account and better protect you if your device is compromised. This lets you continue using WhatsApp uninterrupted.

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Automatic Security Codes: Users have been able to use the 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, WhatsApp is rolling out a security feature based on a process called “Key Transparency” that allows you to automatically verify that you have a secure connection. When you click on the encryption tab, you will be able to verify your personal conversation is secured.

These are three additional ways WhatsApp is enabling users secure their account. However, there are two features that only users can turn on: two-step verification and use of end-to-end encrypted backups.