Protect Yourself From Fraud: 3 Simple Settings

WhatsApp not only allows you to chat but also make phone calls. To create the cleanest and most stable connection possible, the messenger uses a so-called P2P (peer-to-peer) direct connection by default.

The problem: As Meta confirmed in a blog post, devices need to know each other’s IP addresses for this direct data exchange. This means that wiht every conventional 1-to-1 call, your IP address is technically visible to the other person.

You can think of the IP address as being similar to a postal address, from which your approximate location can be resolute – a potential concern for privacy and security.

Since late 2023, Meta has provided a setting to prevent your device from sharing your IP address directly with the caller’s device during a call. Calls remain secure, but you must enable this setting.

To do this,follow these steps:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⁝) in the top right.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Privacy.
5. Tap Advanced.
6. Enable Protect IP address in calls.

Now, your IP address is no longer directly forwarded to the other person’s device. Instead,as meta explains,it’s relayed through their servers,which provide the call with a separate IP address.

Ping Protection: Prevent Unnoticed Tracking with One Setting

In late 2023, researchers at the University of Vienna uncovered a potential privacy issue related to “pings” within WhatsApp. These pings can be used to determine when a user is online, potentially creating a profile of their activity. While not directly tracking *location*, it reveals usage patterns.

Developer Julian Ambrozy demonstrated how these pings could be exploited. The concern is that this information could be used for unwanted monitoring.

While an official patch from Meta is still pending as of February 2024, you can take steps to mitigate this risk. The most effective way is to limit which accounts can initiate pings to your device.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⁝) in the top right.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Privacy.
5. Tap Advanced.
6. Enable Block messages from unknown accounts.

This setting helps protect you from unwanted tracking by unknown contacts. It doesn’t eliminate pings entirely, but it substantially reduces the risk from unsolicited sources.

Conclusion: Enhance Your Privacy and Security with a few Settings

by enabling these settings, you address key privacy concerns within WhatsApp. This will help protect your digital footprint from potential attackers and unwanted trackers, and reduce exposure to spam and scams.