Backup and Encryption: You should avoid these dangerous Whatsapp settings



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Millions of users use WhatsApp every day without thinking too much about it. However, the messenger offers some features that may pose a security risk.

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Pay attention to these Whatsapp features:

Pay attention to these Whatsapp features:

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Anyone who automatically saves chat history will lose end-to-end encryption.

Anyone who automatically saves chat history will lose end-to-end encryption.

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Whatsapp has also recently introduced auto-deleting messages.

Whatsapp has also recently introduced auto-deleting messages.

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  • Whatsapp prides itself on encrypting its chats end-to-end.

  • But if you save your chat history in a cloud storage, you lose this encryption.

  • Many users are not aware of this.

  • Also, auto-saved images and auto-deleting messages can pose dangers.

Whatsapp is by far the most popular chat app in Switzerland. It was downloaded more than twice as often from the Google Play Store as Facebook Messenger, which comes in second. As “The Sun” reports, the app contains some features that users should keep their hands off.

For example, automatic chat history protection can be a problem. Whatsapp actually boasts that the chats on their messenger are all end-to-end encrypted. But if you save your chat history on iCloud, you lose this encryption. The reason is that chats, as soon as they are downloaded to iCloud, fall under the responsibility of Apple. It’s the same with Google Drive. If someone has unauthorized access to iCloud or Google Drive, they also have free access to their chat history.

If you want to change the settings for cloud storage in Whatsapp, you can do it directly in the app. The desired cloud storage can be selected under the menu item «Backup chat». The backup frequency can also be set here, from daily to never.

Saving images

Another problem may arise if the user has specified that the images and videos sent are automatically saved on the smartphone. In fact, similar to a Trojan horse, images can contain malicious code that allows hackers to access the phone if the photo is placed in the images folder.

Viewing images within the messaging service is generally harmless. If you want to prevent photos or videos from being saved directly to your phone, you can change it in the settings. The “Save to recordings” function can be deactivated under the “Chat” menu item.

Messages that delete themselves

Whatsapp has also recently introduced the function that allows you to send messages that delete themselves after seven days. This is often cited as an advantage when sending private information that the sender does not want the recipient to have permanent access to.

In fact, this function does not prevent the recipient from forwarding received messages or storing them in any other way. If such a message is forwarded to a chat where auto-deleting messages are disabled, the message remains after the deadline has expired. The message will also appear in the chat backup if it is saved before the message is deleted. And of course a message can always be saved as a screenshot.

So, if you want to be absolutely sure that your chats are end-to-end encrypted, that no Trojans find their way to your smartphone, and that your contacts don’t forward or save any private information, it’s best to disable the mentioned features and don’t send sensitive data via chat app.

If you sign up for the digital push, as long as you don’t get news and rumors from the world of Whatsapp, Snapchat, Instagram, Samsung, Apple and Co., you will also receive alerts about viruses, trojans, phishing attacks and ransomware first. There are also tricks for getting more out of your digital devices.

Here’s how it works: Install the latest version of the app for 20 minutes. At the bottom right, tap on “Cockpit”, then on “Settings” and then on “Push notifications”. At the point “Topics” touch “Digital” – et voila!



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