How to use a passkey on WhatsApp (Passkey)

Like any social network, the WhatsApp also has risks of account hack e phone cloning by criminals who are increasingly aware and have access to technological resources. A recent solution launched by the application is availability de access key on WhatsApp ( passkey, in English), which guarantees a lot more account security than validation codes via cell phone message box or generic passwords and other similar models in which you need to memorize or write down the pass to access your network.

If you seek more digital protection his WhatsApp, check out the following article and learn how to configure Passkeys on WhatsApp.

How does an Access Key or Passkey work?

Created in August 2019 by FIDO Alliance together with the Google — which became the first company to implement the new feature — the access key It is a technology that seeks greater protection of an account without the need for PINs or passwords, avoiding the need for memorization and eliminating the risk of forgetting, losing or even being discovered by third parties.

With a passkey, it is possible for the user to be able to log into their account on different devices, through a secure identity verification credential, through biometrics (facial recognition and fingerprint) or screen lock.

The credential is unique e registered directly on the smartphone, avoiding other major scams that use system hacking. It is important to emphasize that none of the companies where the accounts are located (in this case Meta, owner of WhatsApp) store your access key, only proof of validation of the passkey which releases access to the account.

With this, the user gains in convenience and time optimization, as it is no longer necessary to enter a secure password (which must be complex to reduce the risk of attacks) to access the account.

Step by step how to create access key on WhatsApp

Below we have created a tutorial for create access key on WhatsApp for Android and iPhone devices, check it out.

Android

To register a access key on WhatsApp on your device Android, it's quite simple. Just the application of WhatsApp is properly updated, as well as the device's operating system. The biometrics option is only valid for devices that contain this technology inserted into the cell phone.

Step 1: cease the three dots No. top right corner of the screen. When opening, select Settings and after that, Account Log In.

Step 2: Choose the option Access keys and, on the screen that opens, tap Create access key.

Step 3: your device's security authentication application, synchronized with WhatsApp, will ask you to register your biometrics as the identity verification credential. In my case, how do I use Samsung, Samsung Pass acted together. In case of Motorola, Is Smart Lock; already in Xiaomi is Xiaomi Account.

That's it, now your biometrics are linked to your WhatsApp. If you want disable this option or exchange for another key, just click on “Delete” that the registered credential will instantly be deactivated.

iPhone (iOS)

Now at iPhoneThe passkeys on WhatsApp are also available for registration, being able to integrate your Face ID, touch ID or the device code as a access key identity verification. It is worth noting that this feature is only available for iPhone 8 and above with the update iOS 16.

Step 1: Access WhatsApp settings in “Settings“, in the lower right corner.

Step 2: Within the initial settings, click on the “Account Log In";

Step 3: Then click on “Access Keys";

Step 4: Within the category, just click the button below “Create Access Key";

Step 5: iCloud will instantly open in the background, asking you to pair your biometrics — in this case, automatically your Face ID — with WhatsApp. Click in "Continue” and perform facial recognition.

And finished! Your access key will save in this field and will be synced with the app. If, by chance, you decide remove the access key, just click on “Delete".

Web WhatsApp

For now, the passkey feature is not available in WhatsApp Web mode. There are also no estimates as to whether the feature will be incorporated into the web version of WhatsApp, nor an arrival date.

Other ways to make WhatsApp more secure

One security does not exclude the other... there are other forms of protection included in WhatsApp that further help protect your conversations saved on the social network in addition to access keys. How about learning a little about this? Check out some tips to boost your security WhatsApp:

• 2-step verification: Being activated in the same “Accounts” field in the account settings, in the “Two-step confirmation” section, this measure, when activated, will send a PIN every time you confirm your phone number on WhatsApp again, when log into on another device.
• See control of your access: It's common to open WhatsApp Web on multiple computers, whether for work or personal use. But it is always important to check that when closing the tab you have also disconnected your account from the computer. You can see this by looking at the three dots in the top right corner, and then clicking on the “Connected Devices” option. If you find a connection that wasn't yours, just click on the option and then “Disconnect”.
• Have antivirus and firewall applications: Install reliable antivirus and firewall applications to protect malware, SQL and harmful files that you may encounter on websites and apps, such as Surfshark (link available in “See More”).
• Turn on security notifications: WhatsApp messages, files and calls are encrypted, meaning not even WhatsApp itself can access them. By enabling this feature also in “Account” in your WhatsApp account settings, you will always be informed if the security code for each contact's messages changes.

• Add trusted email to your WhatsApp: Another interesting feature is in “Email address”, within “Account” in the initial settings of your number. Enter a trusted and secure email address to link your email to WhatsApp to log into your account and upload your conversation files.

• Set up your unlock using biometrics: Biometrics are not only used for access keys, but also for locking the application screen when opening WhatsApp. You can define the time interval for each application lock, either every time you access the app (“Immediately”), after 1 minute of the previous lock or even after 30 minutes. The user can still answer calls from the app even if blocked. To enable the setting, go to the initial account settings, click on “Privacy”, then on “App Lock”, and finish by enabling the “Unlock using biometrics” option.

• Protect your IP during calls and disable link previews: In the same “Privacy” field in the account settings, in the “Advanced settings” section, you can enable the “Protect IP address on calls” and “Disable link preview” modes. The first ensures that the call transmission via WhatsApp is retransmitted through different WhatsApp servers, but reduces the quality of the call; The second prevents the preview of links from being prevented so that third-party sites do not discover your IP address.

• Block suspicious contacts: For people you know or don't know who send you unwanted messages, you can block them, preventing more messages from reaching you and the contact in question from being able to see your profile image, description and other information. To block a contact, go to the conversation, click on the three dots in the top right corner and click on the “Block” option. If you want to unblock, access the initial account settings, “Privacy” and “Blocked”, sequentially.

• Do not share your device and confirmation code with anyone: A measure that may be obvious, but many people forget to put into practice, is not to share your device and not to pass on your access confirmation code to anyone – remember that no WhatsApp employee or anyone regardless of your position will ask for your code, is strictly yours.
• Do not click on third-party links or download files from unknown websites: There is no point in downloading antivirus and firewall applications and downloading files from dubious websites. Working together with these applications, as soon as you notice a lack of protection on any website or in WhatsApp messages or files you receive, do not download them on your device.
• Message blocking: Newly enabled feature on WhatsApp, ChatLock (Chat Lock) allows the user to protect specific messages from contacts, which can only be accessed through fingerprint, facial recognition or screen lock. To find out more about how it works and how to activate it now on your WhatsApp, read the article below.

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Pig iron: Google, WhatsApp, PagSeguro , NordVPN, BBC News Brazil

reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 30 / 5 / 24.