A SPECIAL code that’s unique to each of your WhatsApp chats can reveal if you’re being spied on.
It’s designed to make sure that no one is intercepting your texts or calls.
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You might never have even seen one of these codes – but they only take a few seconds to find.
WHERE TO FIND WHATSAPP SECURITY CODES
Each chat that you have with an individual person has its own security code.
WhatsApp says it lets you make sure you’re “chatting with the intended recipient” of your texts.
You can find it by going to a chat, tapping on the person’s name at the top, and then choosing Encryption.
This will pull up a window called Verify Security Code.
It’ll show a QR code, underneath which will be 60 numbers – that’s the security code.
WHAT DOES THE WHATSAPP CODE DO?
Your WhatsApp chats are encrypted, which means they’re scrambled in transit. This stops people spying on them.
As a visual representation of this, you and the person you’re chatting with have a shared security code.
It’s a bit like a secret passcode that you both share – to make sure you’re really talking to each other.
If you both have the same code for your chat, it means that your calls and messages are encrypted.
“WhatsApp provides a way to confirm that you are really talking to the right person,” security giant Kaspersky explained in a special memo.
“And that no one is eavesdropping on your conversation.
“Each chat has a unique security code, and you can check it with your chat partner verbally during a call or through a different communication channel.
“If the codes match, you’re all good.”
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If you’re with the person, you can simply compare your codes physically.
Or you could scan the other person’s QR code, which will show you a green tick if it’s all good.
If it’s someone you’re not near, you can just call them and verify the codes over the phone. Just try to use a different contact method.
WhatsApp explains: “Since they match, you can be sure no one is intercepting your messages or calls.”
WHATSAPP EXPLAINS ENCRYPTION
Here’s the official word from WhatsApp on its encryption for your texts…
“WhatsApp has no ability to see the content of messages or listen to calls that are end-to-end encrypted,” the Meta-owned company explained.
“That’s because the encryption and decryption of messages sent and received on WhatsApp occurs entirely on your device.
“Before a message ever leaves your device, it’s secured with a cryptographic lock, and only the recipient has the keys.
“In addition, the keys change with every single message that’s sent.
“While all of this happens behind the scenes, you can confirm your conversations are protected by checking the security verification code on your device.”
Picture Credit: WhatsApp / The Sun
But if the codes are different, it’s possible that someone might be intercepting your messages or impersonating the person that you’re trying to chat with.
If the code doesn’t match, you should check in with the person using a different contact method to see if there’s anything strange going on with their account.
They should make sure they have access to their account, and that they’ve got security features like two-factor authentication turned on.
CODE CHANGED!
Sometimes, your codes will change.
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In fact, it’s possible to even set up notifications for this.
Just go to Settings > Account > Security Notifications in WhatsApp, and then enable Security Code Notifications.
“At times, the security codes used in end-to-end encrypted chats between you and one other person might change,” WhatsApp explained.
“This is likely because you or your contact reinstalled WhatsApp, changed phones, or added or removed a paired device.
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“You can always verify that a contact’s security code is legitimate.”
If the code changes, it’s worth checking in with the other person to make sure everything still matches.
It’s worth noting that this security code is different from the short two-factor authentication code that you might receive for logging into your app.
You should never share that short code with anyone, or they can gain access to your account.
It’s also worth checking out another little-known WhatsApp trick that stops a devastating text attack.