Users of the well-known messaging app WhatsApp are advised to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) in order to protect themselves from account hijacking by hackers.
The Nigerian Communications Commission’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) issued this advisory on Tuesday.
NCC-CSIRT noted that WhatsApp, a service owned by Meta, is increasingly turning into a top target for hackers and con artists who are constantly looking for ways to obtain unauthorized access to users’ accounts.
Two-factor authentication (2FA), according to the CSIRT, is an identity and access management security technique that necessitates two different forms of identifying in order to access resources and data.
According to the advisory, “In the world of messaging apps, one of the most popular and recognizable is WhatsApp. WhatsApp is 100 per cent free to use, has a great mobile app, and supports audio and video calls. Whether you rely on WhatsApp for all your messaging needs or just use it from time to time, it is recommended to set it up with two-factor authentication (2FA). With this enabled, you will need to enter a custom PIN every time you log in to WhatsApp from a new device, adding an extra layer of security to your account.”
The Team said, “2FA gives businesses or people the ability to monitor and help safeguard their most vulnerable information and networks. The 2FA is important because it prevents cybercriminals from stealing, destroying, or accessing your internal data records for their own use”. The advisory stated.
The recommendation further states that “WhatsApp provides two-factor authentication so you can further secure your account using a PIN. It is an optional feature that adds more security to your WhatsApp account, so it is recommended that everyone installs 2FA”.
”The CSIRT stated ten steps for enabling 2FA on WhatsApp, which include the following steps:
”Open WhatsApp, Tap Settings, Tap Account, Tap Two-Step Verification, Tap Enable, Enter the Six-Digit PIN you wish to use, Tap Next, then enter it a second time to confirm it, Tap Next, Add an email address for extra security (this step is optional but it is an extra way to retrieve your account if you forget your Pin) and then Tap Next.
”For those concerned that their PIN might have been compromised or is easy to guess, they can change their WhatsApp PIN or email address by tapping settings.
”Two-Step Verification, tapping Change PIN or Change Email Address, Entering a new PIN or email address, and then tapping ‘next’ to effect the necessary changes.
The CSIRT is the telecom sector’s cyber security incidence centre, set up by the NCC to focus on incidents in the telecom sector as they may affect telecom consumers and citizens at large.
The CSIRT also works collaboratively with ngCERT, established by the Federal Government to reduce the volume of future computer risk incidents by preparing, protecting, and securing Nigerian cyberspace to forestall attacks and problems or related events.