Your email address will safeguard your WhatsApp account - But don't forget this

Headlines about data breaches and worse are hitting headlines on daily basis.  Fortunately, there are some additional solutions available to worried users and this is the two-factor authentication mode that has been recommended by various experts in order to secure social media account. If you are a WhatsApp user, then you should know that this Facebook-owned app also provides the facility to secure your account. By opting for 2 factor authentication, you choose another medium for securing your password apart from just logging in. This eliminates dependency on just your password. Even if your password is tempered by a source, individual or entity, still they will not be able to access your account until the two-factor authentication process is completed. So, if someone tries to access your WhatsApp account, then you will know it immediately. Here’s how to do it!

To enable two-step verification, open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable.

Once you enable this feature, a user can also optionally enter their email address. What happens is that, this email address will allow WhatsApp to send you a link via email to disable two-step verification in case you ever forget your six-digit PIN, and also to help safeguard your account.

WhatsApp recommends users to provide an accurate email address so that you're not locked out of your account if you forget your PIN.

Notably, if you have received an email for disabling the two-step verification method, despite you not opting the option. Then do not click on the link. According WhatsApp, someone would be attempting to verify your phone number.

However, if users have enabled two-step verification, the number will not be permitted to re verify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp without PIN. For instance, if you forget your own PIN but didn’t provide an email address to disable the two-mode verification, then you will not be be permitted to re-verify on WhatsApp. 

After these 7 days, your number will be permitted to re-verify on WhatsApp without your PIN, but you'll lose all pending messages upon re-verifying - they will be deleted. 

If your number is re-verified on WhatsApp after 30 days of last using WhatsApp, and without your PIN, your account will be deleted and a new one will be created upon successfully re-verifying.

Finally, WhatsApp will periodically ask you to enter your PIN. There is no option to disable this without disabling the two-step verification feature.