If you’re using WhatsApp for everyday conversations, business updates, or client communications, you’re not alone. With over 2.78 billion active users globally in 2025 – and projections pointing to 3.14 billion before the year ends – WhatsApp isn’t just popular. It’s essential. (Source: Statista)

It’s become the primary way people stay connected, whether that’s a voice note to a friend, a support ticket sent by a customer, or a file shared between remote teams. And with the app now challenging not just SMS but even traditional phone calls, it’s clear that WhatsApp is more than just a chat tool. It’s a business enabler, a communication anchor, a personal lifeline, and a daily essential rolled into one. 

The service is built with end-to-end encryption, which means your messages and calls are secured in a way that only you and the intended recipient can access them. Still, that hasn’t stopped cybercriminals from using spyware, hijacking accounts, or launching scams that trick users into giving away access.

The good news is, WhatsApp offers a solid range of built-in privacy and security features designed to protect against most common threats. Combined with a few smart habits, these features can significantly reduce your exposure to account takeovers, data theft, or message snooping.

This article is for anyone who wants to keep their WhatsApp account safe,  whether you’re a small business owner using WhatsApp to connect with clients, a marketer running customer support on chat, or simply someone who wants to protect personal messages and media.

We’ll walk you through exactly what’s putting WhatsApp accounts at risk in 2025 and the five key steps you can take to secure yours right now. We’ll also show you what to do if you think your account has already been compromised.

Let’s get straight to the point.

Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore WhatsApp Security in 2025

Messaging apps have already replaced SMS. Now, they’re even starting to edge out traditional calls. According to a Bitkom survey, every second WhatsApp user also makes voice calls through the app. And it doesn’t stop there.

• 70% use messengers to send photos, videos, or links 
• 85% still use them for text-based conversations
• 17% have blocked someone in the last 3 months
• Only 10% use messaging apps to contact businesses
  These numbers reveal two things: 

1. People rely on WhatsApp to talk, share, and maintain boundaries. 
2. Yet despite its popularity, few treat WhatsApp with the same security mindset they apply to email or banking apps.

And that’s a problem.

Hackers, scammers, and social engineers have turned WhatsApp into a goldmine for phishing, impersonation, and takeover attempts. If you’re not actively protecting your account, you’re more vulnerable than you think.

Let’s fix that.

8 Best Practices in WhatsApp 

Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, the steps to secure your WhatsApp account are nearly identical. WhatsApp has standardised its privacy and security features across platforms, so setting up two-step verification, locking the app with biometrics, adjusting group privacy, or enabling encrypted backups works the same way on both. The key is knowing where to look in your settings and taking action early.

1. Enable Two-Step Verification 

If you do one thing today to lock down your WhatsApp, make it this; enable two-step verification.

Here’s why it matters:

One of the most common scams on WhatsApp involves a hacker pretending to be a friend or even WhatsApp support. They ask for the login code sent to your phone. And if you share it, even by accident, your account could be hijacked in seconds.

But with two-step verification turned on, even if someone gets your SMS verification code, they won’t get in without your PIN.

How it works
Any time someone tries to register your WhatsApp on a new device, they’ll be asked for your unique PIN, on top of the standard SMS code. No PIN, no access. It’s that simple.

How to set it up

• Open WhatsApp
• Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification
• Choose a 6-digit PIN
• Add an email address for recovery (optional but highly recommended)

2. Lock Down Your WhatsApp Privacy Settings

If you haven’t reviewed your WhatsApp privacy settings lately, there’s a good chance you’re sharing more than you think.

By default, WhatsApp allows just about anyone with your number to see your Last Seen, Online status, Profile Photo, About info, and Status updates. That might seem harmless—until you realise that strangers from group chats or scammers with your number can easily track your activity, impersonate you, or gather personal details for phishing attempts.

Here’s what you should do:

• Open Settings > Privacy
• Change Last Seen & Online, Profile Photo, and Status to “My Contacts” or “Nobody”
• Disable auto-adding to groups by going to Groups > My Contacts Except… 

These changes reduce your visibility to unknown numbers and help prevent WhatsApp impersonation, social engineering, and unwanted stalking. You don’t need random people knowing when you’re online or what your display picture looks like.

As WhatsApp itself advises; be careful what you share. Just because it feels like a private space doesn’t mean everything you post stays private.

3. Control Who Can Add You to WhatsApp Groups

Ever been randomly added to a WhatsApp group you didn’t ask for? Without warning, you’re placed into a WhatsApp group swarming with strangers and unwanted messages.

Here’s the fix: adjust your group privacy settings.

WhatsApp gives you control over who can add you to group chats. And if you haven’t checked it yet, there’s a good chance it’s still set to “Everyone.”

Here’s how to take back control:

• Go to Settings > Privacy > Groups
• Change the setting from “Everyone” to “My Contacts” or “My Contacts Except…”
• You can even block specific contacts from adding you

Why this matters:
Scammers often auto-add phone numbers to groups to blast fake job offers, malicious links, or misinformation. There have even been cases of political groups using automation tools to mass-add users into echo chambers without their consent.

Protect your number, your time, and your peace of mind. Set it once; and avoid being dragged into someone else’s agenda.

4. Turn On Security Notifications for Encryption Alerts

WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that only you and the person you’re messaging can read your conversations. But how do you know that encryption is still in place, especially if your contact changes devices?

That’s where security notifications come in.

By default, this setting is off. But turning it on gives you an extra layer of visibility. When enabled, WhatsApp will alert you whenever a contact’s security code changes. This usually happens when they reinstall the app, get a new phone, or add a device to their WhatsApp account.

Most of the time, it’s harmless. But if you weren’t expecting a change, it might be a red flag that someone else is trying to intercept or gain access to that chat.

Here’s how to activate it:

• Go to Settings > Privacy > Security
• Toggle on Show security notifications
  It only takes a second. It helps you stay one step ahead of anyone trying to tamper with your conversations.

5. Use Fingerprint or Face ID to Lock Your WhatsApp

Think your phone’s lock screen is enough? Think again.

If someone gets their hands on your device, whether you’ve left it on a table or passed it to a friend, they could open apps without you realising it. Unless you’ve locked WhatsApp itself.

WhatsApp offers a built-in biometric app lock that uses your phone’s fingerprint or Face ID. Once enabled, it requires your fingerprint or face scan to access the app, even if your phone is already unlocked.

Here’s how to turn it on:

• Open Settings > Privacy > Fingerprint Lock (Android) or Screen Lock (iOS)
• Choose how soon the app should lock after inactivity

It’s quick to set up, invisible when not needed, and adds a serious layer of protection. This is especially useful if you often share your phone with family or colleagues.

Want to go the extra mile? Combine this with your device’s screen lock and two-step verification for complete WhatsApp account protection.

6. Use Disappearing Messages and View Once Media for Sensitive Chats

Not every message needs to stay on record. If you’re sharing something personal or time-sensitive, disappearing messages and View Once media give you more control over your conversations.

When enabled, WhatsApp disappearing messages automatically delete new messages after a set duration—24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. You can activate it for individual chats or by default for all new conversations.

Even better, for photos or videos you don’t want sticking around, use View Once. These images or clips vanish immediately after being opened. No screenshots, no chat history, no digital trail.

Why this matters:
If your phone ever gets compromised or someone gains access to your account, those lingering messages and media can reveal more than you’d like. Disappearing messages help you stay one step ahead by clearing the trail automatically—no manual deletion needed.

Here’s how to activate them:

• For messages: Open chat > Tap name > Disappearing messages
• For media: Tap the “1” icon before sending your photo or video
  

Use these features intentionally—especially for sensitive data, private discussions, or when you’re sharing something you wouldn’t want stored long-term.

7. Encrypt Your WhatsApp Backups with E2EE

It’s easy to forget that your chats live in more than one place. Even if your messages are protected on WhatsApp, they might be sitting unprotected in your cloud storage; unless you’ve enabled end-to-end encrypted(E2EE) backups.

By default, WhatsApp backups stored on Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone) are not encrypted. That means if someone gains access to your cloud account, whether through a hack, stolen credentials, or a legal request, they could download and read your entire chat history.

This isn’t theoretical. Attackers have specifically targeted WhatsApp cloud backups to extract sensitive data. Unencrypted backups are a loophole you can close in just a few taps.

Here’s how to lock it down:

• Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > End-to-end Encrypted Backup
• Follow the prompts to set a password or 64-digit encryption key
  

Once enabled, your backup is encrypted with a key only you hold. Not WhatsApp. Not Google. Not Apple. Just you.

A word of caution:

•  If you lose your password or key, your backup is unrecoverable—even by you. So store it somewhere secure and memorable.

Take two minutes to activate this. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect your WhatsApp data from prying eyes.

8. Stay Ahead of Spyware Threats Targeting WhatsApp

Securing your WhatsApp account is one thing. But there’s a deeper threat that doesn’t just hijack your chats—it watches everything.

We’re talking about spyware.

Unlike phishing scams or account takeovers, spyware is a silent intruder. Once installed on your phone, it can monitor your WhatsApp messages, track your calls, record your location, and even capture your screen—all without you knowing.

It’s not just a theoretical risk. Spyware like Pegasus and other commercial surveillance tools have been used in targeted attacks against journalists, activists, business leaders, and everyday users. And often, all it takes is clicking a malicious link or downloading a shady app.

Here’s how to reduce your risk:

• Never install apps from outside the Play Store or App Store
• Don’t click on suspicious links, even if they come from known contacts
• Use mobile security software that detects spyware
• Regularly update your phone’s operating system

WhatsApp itself is built with end-to-end encryption, but if your device is compromised, encryption doesn’t matter. Spyware reads messages before they’re encrypted or after they’re decrypted. Your defence starts with your device. Secure it, keep it clean, and be cautious with what you open and install.

To Sum Up

Securing WhatsApp doesn’t require advanced tech skills—just a few smart settings and regular check-ins. By enabling key features like two-step verification, encrypted backups, and privacy controls, you can significantly reduce the risk of hacks or data leaks. Stay alert, avoid suspicious links, and make it a habit to review your security settings. A secure WhatsApp experience is only a few taps away.