Safeguarding yourself from hackers on messaging apps

In an era where digital privacy is increasingly under threat, taking proactive steps to secure your messaging apps is essential, JUSTICE OKAMGBA writes

The reality is that messaging apps have become the lifeblood of communication, offering unprecedented ease and accessibility. However, this convenience comes with a price: the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.

The recent leak of a private WhatsApp conversation between Nigerian musician Davido and his baby mama, Sophia Momodu, is a stark reminder of this risk.

The leaked chat, which appeared online amid their public custody battle, highlights the importance of securing your messaging apps to prevent private moments from becoming public fodder.

Momodu shared a WhatsApp chat in which she and the musician exchanged flirty messages as evidence of the child custody battle. This incident created an uproar online, showcasing the potential damage that leaked private messages can cause.

The incident serves as a wake-up call to prioritise the security of our digital Communications should be secured to avoid a fate like Davido and Sophia. To protect your reputation and sensitive information, embrace secure messaging practices.

Stop exchanging sexual messages

Messaging apps like WhatsApp can leave a permanent digital footprint, as messages can be saved, forwarded, or screenshotted without the sender’s consent or knowledge.

An Accounting student, Emeka Orji, acknowledged the risks, stating, “I have always been cautious about sending personal or intimate messages through apps; it is not worth the risk.”

He prefers phone calls, which are generally not automatically recorded or stored on devices unless explicitly recorded by one party, offering a sense of security and privacy.

Software developer Ifeanyi Ojukwu also highlighted the risks of using messaging apps for sensitive conversations.

According to Ojukwu, these apps can be easily hacked, allowing unauthorised access to personal information and private conversations.

“By using secure lines, such as encrypted apps or trusted networks, for phone calls, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of our conversations being intercepted or accessed by hackers,” he recommended.

End-to-end encryption

Meta is rolling out default end-to-end encryption for personal messages on Messenger to help protect user privacy.

This means that messages are secured with an extra layer of encryption from the moment they leave the sender’s device to when they reach the receiver’s device, ensuring that no one, including Meta, can access the content.

Users can set up secure storage by either creating a 6-digit PIN or storing a virtual key in their Google Drive or iCloud.

Meta emphasises the importance of secure storage to prevent permanently losing messages and media if a device is lost.

Enable two-factor authentication 

Boosting the security of your messaging apps is easy and crucial! One simple yet powerful step is to activate two-factor authentication.

Once enabled, WhatsApp will periodically prompt you to enter your PIN to help you remember it. This extra layer of security ensures that only you can access your account, even if someone else has your phone number.

On WhatsApp, enabling 2FA is a breeze: just navigate to Settings, select Account, and toggle on two-step verification. This simple move significantly strengthens your account’s defences, safeguarding your privacy and security.

Regularly update your apps

Developers frequently release updates to fix security vulnerabilities and improve functionality. Ensure your messaging apps are always updated to the latest version to benefit from these security enhancements. Enable automatic updates on your device to avoid missing any critical updates.

Be wary of phishing attacks

The National Information Technology Development Agency has issued multiple warnings to Nigerians about the increasing sophistication of phishing attacks and the rise of QR code scams in 2024.

NITDA advised users to exercise caution when scanning QR codes from unfamiliar sources or unsolicited messages, as scammers are exploiting QR codes for various fraudulent schemes.

Control privacy settings

A Facebook user wrote, “I have learned even more from David’s saga. My WhatsApp is always locked. I deleted sensitive messages after chatting, and I also activated the disappearing message feature.”

WhatsApp’s disappearing messages feature allows you to set messages to automatically delete after 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days in individual and group chats for more privacy, with some admin controls in group conversations.

You can choose to have messages disappear after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days in individual chats. The duration only affects new messages, not ones already sent or received.

Limit data sharing

Avoid sharing sensitive information such as passwords, bank details, or personal identification numbers over messaging apps. If you must share such information, consider using a more secure method, such as an encrypted email service.

“I do not give anybody my phone; I do not share anything via flash sharing or Bluetooth.” I also mind the kind of pictures I send to people. As long as it is sensitive, I am always cautious,” Emeka stated.

Education

Staying informed about the latest security threats and best practices is key to maintaining your digital safety. Educate yourself and those around you about the importance of cybersecurity and the steps they can take to protect themselves.