WhatsApp
WhatsApp has just become safer thanks to its new two-step verification feature. YouTube/CNET

Since November of last year, WhatsApp has been testing a new security feature that would strengthen the protection of its users from hackers or people who want to pry on other people’s personal business. It appears that the company has already wrapped up testing as it is currently rolling out this new feature to both iOS and Android users.

WhatsApp surprised its clients this week when it launched a newer version of the app to its supported platforms, namely: iOS, Android and Windows. While the first two are getting the two-step verification update, the latter is receiving a new look and a bunch of new functionalities.

For Android and iOS users who are getting the update, they’ll have the privilege of being able to use the new security feature of the application. To activate this feature on the iPhone or any Android smartphone, one should launch the app and look for Settings. From there, one should click Account and find the Two-step verification option. Then, all that needs to be done is press Enable.

By enabling this optional security feature, WhatsApp users will be asked to encode their email address. The two-step verification feature involves the use of a custom-generated six-digit passcode. Providing an email address is therefore important, for this would serve the vital role of receiving the “disable WhatsApp two-step verificatio” link in case the six-digit passcode is forgotten. as per MacRumors.

“We do not verify this email address to confirm its accuracy. We highly recommend you provide an accurate email address so that you’re not locked out of your account if you forget your passcode,” WhatsApp explained on its own website.

Of course, WhatsApp has also thought that using a passcode could be tricky to some people, especially those who easily forget things. To help users memorize or remember their passcode, the app will periodically require them to encode the digits. For clients who are pretty sure that they’ll never forget the passcode however, there is an option to disable this periodic check-up.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp for Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 also got a new update this week. MSPowerUser learned that the update brings a new design that conforms to Microsoft’s standard Windows app design. In addition, the limit to sharing images within the app has been increased. Before, users only had the capacity to share up to 10 images. Starting this week, they will have the ability to share up to 30 images.