Is your WhatsApp account safe? Secure it NOW, save yourself some grief

It is important to keep your WhatsApp account safe and secure. Here's how to do it.

Secure your WhatsApp account now. Here is how. (REUTERS)

Almost everyone uses WhatsApp to chat, share media files with their friends, families, and even with colleagues. You need to know that it is important for you to protect your WhatsApp account from scams and frauds. Amid the increasing number of cybercrimes WhatsApp has become one of the most common targets. WhatsApp has alerted its users about the same and has asked users to follow certain steps in order to protect their account from scams.

You should never share your WhatsApp SMS verification code with others, not even friends or family. If you suspect someone else is using your WhatsApp account, you should notify family and friends as this individual could impersonate you in chats and groups. It needs to be noted that WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted and messages are stored on your device, so someone accessing your account on another device cannot read your past conversations, WhatsApp informed.

If you are tricked into sharing your code and lose access to your WhatsApp account, read the instructions below to recover your account.

How to protect your WhatsApp account from scams

1. Never share the 6 digit registration code you received via SMS with others.

2. Enable two-step verification: Two-step verification is an optional feature that adds more security to your WhatsApp account. You will see the two-step verification screen after you successfully register your phone number on WhatsApp. After enabling two-step verification, an additional code (called PIN) will be required when you log into WhatsApp after inserting the 6-digit registration code. In order to enable two-step verification here is what you need to do:

How to enable two-step verification on WhatsApp

1. Tap Settings, then go to Account and click on Two-step verification.

2. Now all you need to do is just create a PIN. And that's it!

3. Protect your Data: Allow only your contacts to see your profile photo. Tap Settings, go to account, then privacy and then click on profile photo and select "My contacts". You also need to be wary of people asking you for money and always call your contact to confirm their identity before making any money transfer.

However, in case your WhatsApp account has been stolen then you can recover it too. Here is how.

How to recover WhatsApp account

Step 1:

Sign into WhatsApp with your phone number and verify your phone number by entering the 6-digit code you receive via SMS.

Step 2:

Once you enter the 6-digit SMS code, the individual using your account is automatically logged out.

Step 3:

You might also be asked to provide a two-step verification code. If you don't know this code, the individual using your account might have enabled two-step verification. You must wait 7 days before you can sign in without the two-step verification code. Regardless of whether you know this verification code, the other individual was logged out of your account once you entered the 6-digit SMS code.

It needs to be noted here that if you have access to your account and suspect someone is using your account via WhatsApp Web/Desktop, you are recommended to log out of all computers from your phone. All you need to do is just open WhatsApp on your phone, click on three dots, go to linked devices, tap on the device and click log out. To protect your account, WhatsApp will notify you when someone tries to register a WhatsApp account with your phone number.