WHATSAPP has come up with a new way to keep hackers out of your chats amid a raft of scams.
A growing number of users have lost their account or been conned by fraudsters using the app, so developers are looking to beef up your defences.
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It’s a problem that could get worse with new multi-device support in the works.
This will allow people to use the app on their computer desktop or web without needing their phone nearby or even turned on.
With this in mind, WhatsApp’s owners Meta want to introduce two-step verification.
It’s something we’ve already seen on mobile for a while, but according to WABetaInfo the feature is coming to desktop and web next.
Two-step verification means that whenever your phone number is used to register for WhatsApp on a new device you’ll have to enter a PIN password.
If you buy a new phone, put your existing SIM in, and install WhatsApp, you’ll need to provide the PIN to prove it’s you.
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Likewise, if a fraudster gets hold of your number and tries to do the same it’ll protect you.
So making it available to desktop and web next makes sense.
Though the feature is still very much in the testing phase, meaning WhatsApp could decide not to go ahead with it at all.
How to set up Two-Step Verification on WhatsApp
If you haven’t already set up two-step verification on your phone, it’s well worth it to boost your defences.
Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
Select Account, followed by Two-Step Verification.
Tap Enable and enter your desired PIN twice.
You’ll also need to give your email address twice too, incase you forget your PIN and need to reset it.
Then you’re done.
The process will likely be the same once it lands on desktop and web as well.
As we’ve seen in the leaked screenshot, the options look pretty much identical.
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In other news, a new space station for Tom Cruise to shoot movies on has caused jaws to drop for all the wrong reasons.
Scientists have pinpointed when they believe the Sun will explode and wipe out everything on Earth in the process.
And Apple is working on a fix for a recently discovered bug that is capable of exposing the personal data of iPhone users.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
