In today's digital age, WhatsApp is used not only for sending messages but also for video calls, sharing important documents, and financial transactions. However, cybercriminals are also using WhatsApp to defraud people.

Sometimes people are threatened with digital arrest by sending unknown links, or sometimes by impersonating police or government officials. In such situations, some important security features can help keep your WhatsApp account safe.

Turn on these 7 WhatsApp security features immediately

1. Unknown calls will be silenced.
If you turn on the Silence Unknown Callers feature in WhatsApp, calls from unknown numbers will automatically be silenced. This reduces the hassle of spam and suspicious calls. To do this, go to Settings, select Privacy, and then the Calls option.

2. Check information about unknown callers
WhatsApp can display additional information about some unknown callers. This can include the country the number is registered in and whether you have any common groups with that person. Therefore, you can be cautious before answering the call.

3. Turn on two-step verification.
The two-step verification feature is essential for providing additional security to your WhatsApp account. Select Account and Two-Step Verification in Settings. This requires an additional PIN when re-verifying your account.

4. Block and report suspicious numbers
If someone you don't know is asking for money, sending suspicious links, or asking for personal information, block and report that number.

5. Regularly check linked devices.
To check which devices are logged into your WhatsApp account, open the Linked Devices option in Settings. If you see any unknown devices, log out immediately. Do not give the linking code to anyone or scan any unknown QR codes.

6. Protect your IP address during calls
If you enable the Protect IP Address in Calls feature, WhatsApp calls are routed through the company's servers. This prevents the other party from directly seeing your IP address. To do this, go to Advanced Options under Privacy.

7. Prevent strangers from adding you to groups
Select the Privacy and Groups option in Settings. If you select the My Contacts option here, you can add people to groups directly from your contacts list.

Where to report fraud?
In case of online financial fraud, immediately contact the cybercrime helpline 1930 or file a complaint on the official website cybercrime.gov.in.

PC: AMAR UJALA