Remember Two Step Verification Before Click 'OK' From WhatsApp Notification

WhatsApp application illustration (Photo by Rachit Tank on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Recently on social media, information has circulated about viral messages that are widely spread on WhatsApp. Where many of them reportedly received a warning message that the numbers and accounts being used had been hacked.

Through Twitter, netizens share a warning notification message saying that their WhatsApp account is no longer registered and is being used by another device. This message has also gone viral on a number of WhatsApp groups.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if a message appears on your cellphone like the one above, please DO NOT OK, but click on verification. That is a sign that your cellphone will be hijacked. If it has been hijacked it can be used to borrow money etc. above. name Mr / Mrs. Please be careful. Thank you, "read the message.

In the message, a link from WhatsApp is also included which informs you that the phone number has been used for another device. And the user is currently asked to verify and agree to the notification message.

Help info please. If suddenly a notification appears what should I do? He said that if you take part in the verification you will get hijacked? Now whatsapp can't be accessed. pic.twitter.com/nq2D62mNku

- Kalong dawn 🦇 (Rohmanstwn) May 10, 2020

Most likely, the viral message is a security notification feature from WhatsApp which informs you that the user has accessed another device with the current number and account. This usually happens when the user is trying to migrate their data and accounts to a new device.

On the other hand, this notification can also be interpreted if there are other parties out there, who are trying to access your WhatsApp account. Where, when the user presses the 'OK' button, your WhatsApp account will immediately switch to another device.

Instead, what you have to do when you receive the message is press or select the 'Verify' button. Where WhatsApp users can re-verify the account on the cellphone or device that is being used, by sending a six-digit authentication code via SMS or telephone.

Two Layers of Security

In fact, WhatsApp has provided security features that are tight enough to prevent hacking, to take over accounts. In addition to encryption technology to secure messages, there is also a Two Step Verification feature, which can be known as two layers of security.

This feature allows users to set a security code, which will be asked every time you log in with your WhatsApp number on a new smartphone or device. This method is also an attempt to detect if someone tries to log into your WhatsApp account.

Starting today, Android users can add another layer of security to their WhatsApp messages with fingerprint lock. 🔒 Learn more about how to enable the setting here: https://t.co/biwzjhTwop pic.twitter.com/mVDoE4gurk

- WhatsApp Inc. (@WhatsApp) October 31, 2019

The form of this feature is usually sending an OTP (One Time Password) to the user's mobile number. This code will only be sent to the registered account number, by confirming via SMS or telephone.

To activate this feature, users can enter the menu in the form of three dots in the upper left corner of the screen. Then select "Settings" and enter the "Account" menu.

After that select "Two-step verification" by pressing the "Enable" button. Later the user will be asked to enter a PIN in the form of a number that only you know, and an e-mail to verify it.

Now WhatsApp also supports a fingerprint scanner feature to access their account. This additional feature is also possible, not just anyone can log into your WhatsApp account.