Instant messaging app WhatsApp currently has over 1.5 billion active users globally. The app is user friendly which is one of the reasons why it has attracted so many users. Setting up an account on WhatsApp is quite easy, requiring you to only enter a six-digit code sent to the phone number you supplied to confirm you have access to the number.
This easy setup process leaves your account very vulnerable to hacking. A hacker can easily take over your WhatsApp account and pretend to be you to defraud your unsuspecting friends, business associates, and family members. There have been numerous reports of people losing their WhatsApp accounts to hackers who then use these accounts to perpetrate fraud. Although it is optional, two-step verification provides an extra layer of security for your account. How the two-step verification, how to prevent whatsapp scam works is explained below.
WhatsApp Two-Step Verification
Two-step verification is an optional feature that adds an extra layer of security to your WhatsApp account. If this feature is enabled on your account, any attempt to verify your phone number on WhatsApp will require that the six-digit code sent to your phone number by WhatsApp and the six-digit PIN that you set up using the two-step verification feature are entered correctly before the verification will be confirmed.
To explain this better, instead of just one code, two sets of codes will be required to verify your phone number on WhatsApp at any time if you have enabled two-step verification. The first code is the usual six-digit code that WhatsApp sends to your number anytime you attempt to verify it. The second code is also a six-digit code, but one that you created yourself and known only to you. Having to enter a PIN known only to you helps to secure your account better and safeguards it from simple hacks. Your account though can still fall victim to more sophisticated hacks.
How to Activate WhatsApp Two-Step Verification
To enable two-step verification on your account, open your WhatsApp, go to Settings, click on Account, click on Two-step verification, then select enable. After enabling this feature, you have the option to supply your email address. The email address will serve as a backup in case you forget your six-digit PIN and need to deactivate two-step verification on your account. WhatsApp will send you a link via this mail to deactivate two-step verification on your account. This ensures you are not locked out of your account in case you forget your six-digit PIN. I highly recommend that you supply your email to ensure you don’t get locked out of your account.
Note that WhatsApp will not verify the email address you supply to ensure its correct. It is up to you to supply a correct email address that you have access to. Also, if you receive an email to disable two-step verification on your WhatsApp account when you have not requested for it, don’t click on the link. It could be a hacker trying to gain access to your account.
Conclusion
Two-step verification, how to prevent whatsapp scam helps to secure your WhatsApp account and prevents it from being taken over by hackers who perpetrate WhatsApp scam. Enabling two-step verification reduces the likelihood of you losing your account to hackers and putting your family, friends, and business associates at risk of falling victim to fraudsters pretending to be you.