WhatsApp has introduced a new security feature to further protect user accounts, allowing users to set strong passwords for account security.
In a message informing users about this new feature, WhatsApp stated that a password can be added to bolster account security. To do this, users need to navigate to WhatsApp Settings, select ‘Account,’ and then choose the ‘Password’ option.
According to media reports, WhatsApp has also made significant changes to its existing two-step verification process. The company stated that the 6-digit PIN is being replaced with a stronger password—incorporating letters, numbers, and special characters—to make it harder to guess.
WhatsApp notes that a password provides an additional layer of security to reduce the risk of unauthorized access; however, simply setting a password cannot remove an intruder who has already compromised the account. In such cases, account recovery is required first.
The company has also enhanced the ‘passkey’ feature for account protection. Passkeys allow users to log back into WhatsApp using biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or Face ID) or their phone’s screen lock. According to WhatsApp, over a billion people have already set up passkeys, and the platform is now introducing the ability to add multiple passkeys to a single account.
Earlier this year, WhatsApp also introduced a ‘strict account settings’ feature designed specifically for users who may be at higher risk of sophisticated cyberattacks. This feature enables security measures such as silencing calls from unknown numbers and automatically blocking media files and attachments sent by unfamiliar individuals.
WhatsApp also advises users not to share their passwords, registration codes, or other sensitive information with anyone, and to regularly check the devices linked to their accounts.
