About protecting your account from malware

Android
iPhone
Malware is a software used with malicious intent to steal information, disrupt, and damage devices. It can be installed on someone’s device without them knowing it.
To better secure your phone and remove harmful software:
  • Always keep Google Play Protect enabled. To turn it on:
    1. Go to the Play Store.
    2. Tap your profile icon at the top right.
    3. Tap Play Protect > Settings.
    4. Turn Scan apps with Play Protect on.
  • Don’t use rooted phones.
  • Reset your phone to factory settings.
You may contact your Operating System manufacturer or phone service provider to learn how to remove harmful software.
Be alert and make sure to:
  • Never use unofficial versions of the WhatsApp app: Unofficial apps are fake WhatsApp apps, which means they’re developed by third-parties and violate our Terms of Service. These apps put your privacy, security, and safety at risk. If you’re using them, there’s no guarantee your messages or your data, like your location or the files you share, will be private and secure.
  • Remove untrusted apps: Apps downloaded from unknown sources might infect your device with malicious software.
  • Look out for suspicious links: When receiving links, carefully review the content of the message. If a link is marked suspicious, you can tap the link and a pop-up message will appear, highlighting the unusual characters within the link. Then you can choose to open the link or go back to the chat. Read more about this here.
  • Be careful of suspicious files: When receiving a file, you might get an error message. This could mean that there’s an issue with the format or that the file is malicious. Make sure you trust the sender before opening it. Learn more here.
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