WhatsApp steps up user security, begins rolling out two-step verification

WhatsApp today began rolling out two-step verification to its 1.2 billion worldwide users, making the process of account verification more secure. This feature can be enabled by going to Settings, Account, Two-step verification, and choosing Enable.

Two-step vericiation is optional, and when enabled any attempt to verify your phone number on WhatsApp must be accompanied by the six-digit passcode that you choose. You can also optionally enter your preferred email address, which will enable WhatsApp to email you a link if ever you wish to disable two-step verification in the event of a forgotten passcode. Note that this email address is not verified by WhatsApp, so it needs to be entered carefully.

A few safeguards have also been built into the system -- with two-step verification enabled, the number will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp without a passcode. So if you forget your own passcode but did not provide an email to disable two-step verification, even you will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp. After these 7 days, your number will be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp without your passcode, but all pending messages upon reverifying will be deleted. To further safeguard against misuse, if your number is reverified on WhatsApp after 30 days of last using WhatsApp, and without your passcode, your account will be deleted and a new one will be created upon successfully reverifying.

To help you remember it, WhatsApp will periodically ask to enter passcode when two-step verification is enabled.

Know more about WhatsApp two-step verification on their official FAQ here.