Meta is launching a new security feature for WhatsApp, which will protect users from unwanted hacking attempts on the platform.
The messaging platform will be revamped through this update, but it will require you to have your older device to enable the verification process.
WhatsApp Security Feature Requires You to Authorize Your Old Phone
WhatsApp will soon require you to authorize your old phone before you transfer your account credentials to your new device.
WhatsApp is known for phasing out service to outdated devices, including phones and tablets. Somehow, you might want to buy a new handset to use the app, but this time, you must keep your old gadget in your storage.
According to The Strait Times, you will need to verify your WhatsApp account first from your previously linked device to prevent hackers from copying the information on a separate phone.
Initially, this feature was only available to Android users, but with hacking becoming more rampant, Meta decided to tighten the security measure on iOS devices.
By clicking on the encryption tab that you will see below the contact's information, the user can begin verifying if the person who sends them a message is a stranger or a known friend.
The manual process of verification requires a security code from the old device.
"Protecting your personal messages with default end-to-end encryption is the foundation of that security, and we will keep building new features to give you extra layers of privacy," WhatsApp wrote in its blog post this week.
With claims that some WhatsApp accounts from 500 million users are sold, the public gets quickly alarmed that their information is available anywhere. However, Meta denied these reports.
With the rollout of the newest WhatsApp security update, also known as "Account Project," per 9to5Mac, any unauthorized attempt to hack your device will be detected before someone takes over your account on another device.
Related Article: WhatsApp Group Chat Admins Can Now Reject New Members
WhatsApp to Become More Secure Than Before
According to Joanne Wong, the VP of International Markets at LogRhythm, a cybersecurity company, the launch of this update will pave the way for the peace of mind of business users who usually use WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is known to have strict security measures in the messaging world. Unlike other apps like Messenger and Telegram, you cannot leak your conversation outside because of the default encryption.
The only loophole that WhatsApp might want to address in the future is the ability to hide the user's contact number. Although encryption is present, scammers can still use their phone numbers to fool other victims.
The device verification technology still needs more improvement. Still, it's good to know that Meta is devising the app's security so hackers and malware actors will leave the platform anytime soon.
Meanwhile, Gizchina shared a list of affected smartphones that can no longer run WhatsApp.
Read Also: WhatsApp Update: Beta Testers Can Now Detect Text Within Images on iOS 16
