WhatsApp announces three new security features - Details

WhatsApp is an extremely popular instant-messaging platform. To make it the most trusted instant messaging app, WhatsApp make sure that messages shared on the platform should remain as private and secure as an in-person conversation. Protecting personal messages with default end-to-end encryption is one of the steps towards it. To make it more secure, the company is adding some extra layers of privacy and more control. 

"A lot of this work happens behind the scenes without you having to do a thing. Today, we’re excited to tell you about some of the additional security features we’ll be adding in the coming months," the company said in a statement. 

Check out the new security features below: 

Account Protect: If you need to switch your WhatsApp account to a new device – the company will double-check that it’s really you. From now on, the company may ask you on your old device to verify that you want to take this step as an extra security check. This feature can help alert you to an unauthorized attempt to move your account to another device.

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Device Verification: Mobile device malware is one of the biggest threats to people’s privacy and security today because it can take advantage of your phone without your permission and use your WhatsApp to send unwanted messages. To help prevent this, WhatsApp has added checks to help authenticate your account - with no action needed from you - and better protect you if your device is compromised. This lets you continue using WhatsApp uninterrupted. 

Automatic Security Codes: "Our most security conscious users have always been able to take advantage of our security code verification feature, which helps ensure you are chatting with the intended recipient. You can check this manually by going to the encryption tab under a contact’s info," WhatsApp said. 

To make this process easier and more accessible to everyone, the company is rolling out a security feature based on a process called “Key Transparency” that allows you to automatically verify that you have a secure connection. What it means for you is that when you click on the encryption tab, you’ll be able to verify right away that your personal conversation is secured.