What’s Up With WhatsApp? What 1.2 Billion Users Need To Know
By: Jim Stickley and Tina Davis
November 5, 2018
The wildly popular WhatsApp messaging app continues to gain popularity. As of last year, 1.2 billion monthly WhatsApp users sent over 50 billion messages and 3.3 billion images per day. That’s a boatload of daily data and it’s easy to see why the multi-media app is considered the most popular messaging app ever. It’s also easy to see the potential of all that data being abused by cyber criminals – just think Facebook. In fact, Facebook purchased WhatsApp in 2014. Maybe hard to believe, but WhatsApp is also currently free to use. You may be thinking “Free, but at what cost?”
The free part happens because the app uses your phone’s internet connection to message. As long as you don’t blow past your data plan, users can message-away with no additional charges. Another important feature of WhatsApp is it keeps all your sent messages, chats, and pictures encrypted from end to end. It also doesn’t store any of your personal data other than contacts and phone numbers.
That’s very important for those users looking to keep their private communications just that – private. However, does that encryption mean using WhatsApp is secure to use? Currently the answer is mostly. Not long ago, researchers at Check Point found out that if hackers take advantage of a discovered flaw, they can intercept and manipulate messages that are sent between people individually or within group conversations. It can also be used to reach a lot of people, because of its massive user base and already been used in supermarket scams where scammers promise supermarket vouchers in return for personal information, fake airline giveaway scams promising free airline tickets, and even for election tampering.
But there are steps users can take to help keep WhatsApp messaging the safest it can be.
- WhatsApp has no password locks for accounts, so make sure you trust those you allow to use your devices.
- Don’t be afraid to block unwanted contacts. Blocking any WhatsApp user prevents them from seeing anything about you including online status, profile picture or any further messaging. Don’t forget, blocking works both ways between sender and recipient.
- Always use available privacy settings. There are three types of information others can see about you. Your profile picture, personal status message, and when you used the app last. Choose wisely between allowing “My Contacts,” “Everybody,” and “Nobody” to view your personal messaging.
- When not actively using WhatsApp, always log out. Should you misplace or lose your device, disable your account to keep it from abuse.
Remember that apps can be used for phishing, scams, and for getting malware onto your device. Always be on the lookout for these. If you are not expecting a link in a WhatsApp message, don’t click it. Ask the sender first. Also, be very wary of accepting messages from unknown persons.
With any app, should someone threaten you, someone else, or harm to themselves, call authorities such as police or other help appropriate for the situation. Safety for all is a very important part of online responsibility.