In recent times, suspect messages have multiplied: an unknown link, a bizarre number, a “Hello!” From a perfect stranger… who has never received this kind of message on WhatsApp? Behind these harmless attempts are often hidden from well -established scams. But there are a series of simple and fast settings that save more discreetly on the application. Ready to go into stealth mode?
WhatsApp, a playground for scammers
Used by more than two billion people worldwide according to Statesman, WhatsApp has become a real extension of our digital lives. Personal messages, sensitive info, photos, videos: everything goes. And necessarily, it attracts cybercriminalsalways in search of a flaw or information to be used.
A friend told me recently that a stranger had sent her a blurred photo accompanied by a simple “Do you remember?”. Curious, she replied. Result: a phishing attempt in the rules of the art. Fortunately, she was able to cut short in time. Since then, she has strengthened her parameters of confidentiality. And you did you do it?
Configure your profile as a pro
First step to become more discreet: go to Settings> Confidentiality. Here you will be able to finely adjust what others see from you.
- Profile photo : By default, it is visible by everyone. Better to select “My contacts”, or even “person” if you want to remain completely incognito.
- Last connection : malicious people can use it to guess your habits. Pass this option on “person” or “my contacts”.
- Profile name and info : Here again, the less we show, the better we wear. Some prefer to display only one first name or an emoji, nothing more.
These settings are fast and give a real digital broom to your visibility.
-Activate double protection: your digital rampart
WhatsApp also offers a sometimes neglected, but very effective feature: the two -step verification. Concretely, it is a question of adding a code PIN secret That you will need to enter when you install WhatsApp on a new device.
It is a measure recommended by the Cnil (National Commission for Data Protection), which strongly advises this kind of system for any application containing personal data. To activate it, go to Settings> Account> two -step verification. It takes a minute, and it can avoid many hassles.
Block intruders: a simple, but effective gesture
If unknown contact sends you a doubtful message, don’t wait to see where it leads. From the conversation, click on the name or number at the top, then select “Block”. This action prevents the person from seeing your photo, your status, your last activity … even if you forgot to restrict this info.
Personal advice: I systematically block the numbers that I do not recognize if they write to me without presenting themselves clearly. And since then, strangely, my WhatsApp is much quieter.
Adopting these gestures is a bit like pulling the curtains from your house when you get home in the evening: you keep your intimacy, you limit the risks, and you feel more serene. WhatsApp is a fantastic tool, provided you keep control of its visibility.
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