WhatsApp introduces major free upgrade with new security feature users should turn on immediately
A major upgrade has just been announced by WhatsApp that is set to make users’ accounts safer than ever before.
This comes after the messaging app made a blog post revealing that the platform was introducing new measures to help to protect the cybersecurity of its users.
In the announcement, WhatsApp shared three updates that people can expect once they have updated their app, including the introduction of a passkey for users to verify their identity easily.
WhatsApp users can now use a passkey
The new passkey will allow users to log back into the app with a ‘fingerprint, face ID, or screen lock code’.
WhatsApp explains: “It’s the fastest and most secure way to verify it’s really you, with no codes or PINs. More than a billion people have already set one up, and you can now add more than one passkey to your account if you use both Android and iOS devices.”
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In order to enable this feature, simply go to Settings, followed by Account and then Passkeys.
According to Microsoft, passkeys are ‘the future of signing in’, making it simple, secure, and stress free.
With passkeys, there is no need to create or remember passwords as the device will confirm that it is really you by using facial or fingerprint recognition.
This can be used as a form of multi-factor authentication to improve the security of your WhatsApp account.
Other new security features coming to WhatsApp
However, that is not the only improvement coming to WhatsApp, as the app has also strengthened its two step verification.
WhatsApp states: “Two-step verification is an extra protection layer that helps prevent someone from taking over your account, even if they get hold of your one-time passcode.
“Until now it was a six-digit PIN, we’ve now upgraded it to a full password: longer, alphanumeric, and even with special ch@racters to make it harder to guess. If you've been using ‘123456’, this is your sign to upgrade.”
Another addition to WhatsApp is that the messaging platform will now give you more context when you receive a call from someone who is not in your contacts list.
If you are using WhatsApp from an Android device, you will see more information as to who is calling you.
According to the app, scammers rely on urgency, but now ‘you can take a beat with some more info before answering’.
In order to make the most of the upgrades, be sure to update your WhatsApp account to access them.