{"id":53300,"date":"2025-04-11T09:06:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T13:06:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/?p=53300"},"modified":"2025-04-11T09:06:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T13:06:06","slug":"messengers-101-safety-and-privacy-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/messengers-101-safety-and-privacy-advice\/53300\/","title":{"rendered":"Messengers 101: safety and privacy advice"},"content":{"rendered":"

How do you keep your chats private and protect your messaging account from being stolen or hacked? Here are 12 simple rules with brief explanations of why each one is important.<\/p>\n

Enable two-factor authentication<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> It keeps your account from being hacked or hijacked through SIM swapping<\/a> or some other technique. Turning on this setting requires entering your secret password in addition to the SMS verification code when signing in to the messaging app with your account on a new device.<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> Open the security and privacy settings of your messaging app, enter a secret password, and memorize it. You\u2019ll only need to enter it when linking a new device to your account. To make things easier, you can generate and store it in a secure password manager<\/a>, or test the strength of your password using our free Kaspersky Password Checker<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t share one-time passwords<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> If scammers want to steal your account, they\u2019ll try to trick you into giving them the verification code after you receive it in your messaging app.<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> Don\u2019t forward or dictate one-time passwords for signing in to chat apps to anyone. Your friends, support agents, companies, or banks will never need these codes. If someone is asking for a code, it\u2019s a scammer.<\/p>\n

Never scan QR codes outside of the messaging app<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> Some account hijacking schemes masquerade as invitations to join a group or chat<\/a>. You scan a QR code in an ad, but instead of joining a neighborhood or\u00a0class chat, you allow a scammer to link their device to your account.<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> If someone is asking you to scan a QR code, find the scanner in the messaging app \u2014 typically in the Settings<\/strong>. Don\u2019t use your camera or some other QR-code scanning app. Carefully read the prompts displayed by the messaging app: it\u2019ll tell you whether you\u2019re joining a group or channel, or linking a new device to your account.<\/p>\n

Carefully check new contact requests<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> Scammers typically imitate people you know: \u201cHi! Me again. I\u2019ve a new phone number\u201d. They may even know who your boss is<\/a>. Many scams that result in major financial losses start with requests from \u201cfriends\u201d or \u201ccolleagues\u201d. Another type of attack is a \u201cmisdialed call\u201d scam. \u201cIs this Hannah? It\u2019s not? Oh, sorry! I misdialed. Anyway, how are things?\u201d<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> If you see a new chat, but there\u2019s no history, stay alert! If this is supposedly an acquaintance, ask them about something only they would know. If your boss is texting you, it\u2019s best to confirm it with them directly through a different channel<\/strong>, such as their office phone, work email, or in person, before proceeding. If you get a message from someone claiming it was sent in error, ignore any enticing offers, especially if accompanied by links or files.<\/p>\n

Use the block feature<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> It\u2019s the best way to get rid of stalkers, scammers, and clinging exes.<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> Don\u2019t ignore spammers or scammers from the previous tip. Every chat app has a \u201cBlock user\u201d button \u2014 don\u2019t hesitate to press it! This will prevent the scammer from writing you again \u2014 or, after several reports, anyone else. This button is also a great way to minimize reminders of those unpleasant people from your past.<\/p>\n

Think before you open a link \u2014 even if it\u2019s from a friend<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> Your friends are vulnerable too. Scammers can compromise their accounts, then use them to send manipulative messages \u2014 pleas for help or provocations\u00a0\u2014 to everyone in their contact list, aiming to extort money or hijack further accounts.<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> Steer clear of suspicious website links, unfamiliar file attachments, pleas for cash, requests to vote in dubious contests, messages like, \u201cIs that really you in that photo?\u201d, and unexpected, too-good-to-be-true offers like free premium subscriptions<\/a>. To ensure you don\u2019t stumble into these traps, delete such messages on sight. If they appear to be from someone you know, reach out using another channel<\/strong>, and alert them to the suspicious activity occurring under their name. If you act quickly, you might be able to help your friends recover their accounts, as 24 hours<\/a> is often all there is to do so.<\/p>\n

Restrict access to your smartphone and messaging app<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> If your phone gets stolen, or you give it to a friend, coworker, or relative, access control will keep anyone from snooping on your chats.<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> Enable screen lock: fingerprint, Face ID, or a long PIN. Also, enable App Lock<\/strong> in the phone settings or messaging app itself. Your fingerprint or PIN will be required to open the app every time. Even if you give someone an unlocked phone, they won\u2019t be able to use the chat app.<\/p>\n

Turn off message previews<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> A locked phone screen may display highly sensitive data: from private messages to verification codes from the bank.<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> Disable message previews on the lock screen. You can do that in the \u201cNotifications\u201d section of the phone settings.<\/p>\n

Use disappearing and one-time-view messages<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> If you\u2019re sharing things like Wi-Fi passwords, booking details, or your home address, which are only needed for a moment, don\u2019t leave them in your chat history to haunt you later. What if one of you gets hacked?<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> When sharing sensitive data, apply either an auto-delete timer for messages or the \u201cview once\u201d setting, depending on the situation. If neither is an appropriate option, set a reminder to revisit the chat and delete the message for both users after an hour, day, or week.<\/p>\n

Added bonus.<\/strong> This looks cool and helps keep the chat uncluttered.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t send nudes!<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> Even if it\u2019s just a one-time view message, the picture might be shown to people around or screenshotted and then used against you.<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> Avoid sharing anything that could upset, embarrass, jeopardize, or open you up to blackmail if published. This is true for any private information, not just nudes. If your nudes have already been leaked online, there might still be a chance to get them removed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Be careful with group chats<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> You probably trust your friends. But how well do you know the people your friends add to groups?<\/p>\n

What not to do.<\/strong> Don\u2019t share your phone numbers, addresses, or other sensitive (your own as well as others\u2019) personal information in large chats.<\/p>\n

Limit your profile visibility<\/h2>\n

Why this is important.<\/strong> Neither scammers nor strangers need to see your profile photo or know when you were last seen online.<\/p>\n

What to do.<\/strong> Open the Privacy<\/strong> section in the chat app settings and choose who can see your \u201cLast Seen\u201d, \u201cProfile Photo\u201d, \u201cStatus\u201d, and so on. By default, this data is visible to everyone. Adjust the settings to your preference, choosing either \u201cMy Contacts\u201d or \u201cNobody\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read other stories to find out how to adjust security and privacy settings in specific messaging apps, and what to do if you\u2019ve been targeted by scammers or had your account compromised:<\/p>\n