WhatsApp is rolling out an update that adds Two-Step Authentication to your WhatsApp account. This feature is an essential method to ensure the safety of your WhatsApp account. WhatsApp had been internally testing this feature since last few months to finalise the exact implementation of the security countermeasure with reports going back to July.
Two-Step Authentication, named as “Two-step verification” is located under the Account section on the main “Settings” menu. This adds a passcode to your WhatsApp account which is required for every time you register your contact number with WhatsApp number. The setup process is simple where you only need to tap on the option and follow the instructions. The setup asks you to enter a six-digit passcode and verifies the code. It also gives you the option to enter an email address as a backup to reset the passcode if you forget the passcode or misplace it.
You can skip entering the email address but skipping a backup method is not recommended as losing the passcode will lock you out of your WhatsApp account. Once the setup process is completed, the “Two-step Verification” gives you easy options to ‘Disable’, ‘Change passcode’ or ‘Change email address’.
This new feature is available on the latest WhatsApp Android Beta version. You need to enrol in WhatsApp Beta program from Google Play Store WhatsApp listing page. This comes right after the company launched GIF Search for Android along with the ability to convert Live Photos as GIFs for iOS.
The developers for the platform have consistently been trying to introduce new features after the introduction of the official WhatsApp Beta program for Android. The company has added a new “Status” tab to mirror the functionality of destructible images or videos like ‘Snaps’ in Snapchat.
Working as a cyber security solutions architect, Alisa focuses on application and network security. Before joining us she held a cyber security researcher positions within a variety of cyber security start-ups. She also experience in different industry domains like finance, healthcare and consumer products.
