Key Points

References

Key Concepts

From a browser, access a Whatsapp contact by:

 open your favourite internet browser and type wa.me/************

then click Continue

try this in DuckDuckGo vs Chrome

Potential Value Opportunities

Potential Challenges

Best Free Android Anti-virus Software

https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/best-free-antivirus

I>> ALL Whatsapp versions in 2024 now require full access to your contacts to connect a chat !! 

in the past, the message yourself work around allowed entry of a new phone number WITHOUT connecting your contacts

In 2024 that no longer works so whatsapp is no longer an option

Whatsapp safety recommendations

https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/family-safety/how-to-be-safe-on-whatsapp/

As the most popular messaging app in the world with 2 billion active monthly users, it’s clearly a favourite for many of us who want to keep in contact with both our Apple and Android friends in a safe and encrypted fashion. 

all messages encrypted - WhatsApp’s default end-to-end encryption sets it apart from other messaging apps

you can limit notifications and block access to all your contacts in whatsapp using Android > Apps > Whatsapp settings

Account setup maps your chosen user name ( xx999 ) to your selected phone number

Start chats WITHOUT granting Whatsapp access to contacts

1>> From a browser, access a Whatsapp contact the phone number directly by:

It also works perfectly from the web client, https://web.whatsapp.com/

 open your favourite internet browser and type wa.me/************

then click Continue

try this in DuckDuckGo vs Chrome

2>> Message yourself feature

WhatsApp without having to add them to your contacts is by using the ‘Message Yourself’ feature. All you need to do is copy the number and open WhatsApp. Now, click on the message icon that appears at the bottom of the ‘Chat’ section and you will see the option to message yourself.

Here, paste the number of the person you want to want to talk to and

1. Open WhatsApp on your the Chats tab.
2. Tap the "new chat" icon.
3. At the top of the list of contacts, you will see your name with the text "Message yourself" under it.
4. Select your own contact to open the new chat.
5. A chat window will open just like a regular chat.
6. Here you can type and send messages to yourself.

3>> use 3rd party app "click to chat"

text someone on WhatsApp without adding them to your contact list is by installing an app on the Play Store called ‘Click to Chat’. Using WhatsApp’s public API, the app opens a chat window on WhatsApp as soon as you enter the number with its country prefix code. 

Tips To Stay Safe on Whatsapp

1. Turn On Automatic Updates

2. Be Careful What You Share 

Never ever share personal data or crucial financial information on the app, in case your device ends up in the wrong hands or it becomes infected with spyware or malware. And this goes for any app – keep your personal information nice and tight.  

3. Protect Your Device From Spyware 

4. Ignore Suspicious Messages 

5. Add a Pin Number 

Enabling 2 factor authentication is one the best ways to secure your WhatsApp account and ensure a hacker can’t download your account on their phone. Without your 6-digit pin number, a hacker can’t get into your account, even if they get their hands on the SMS code they need to activate your account on another device. And it takes 30 seconds to set up!  

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6. Be Aware Of The Most Common WhatsApp Hacking Strategy 

If you haven’t set up your 6-digit pin, then you are at risk at being ‘socially hacked’. This is how it works: a hacker, who has hijacked one of your friend’s accounts, will message you asking for the 6-digit code that’s just been sent to your account. They will say it’s meant for them. And as you ‘know’ this person, you are likely to send that code straight through without even questioning them. But in fact, the 6-digit code in question has been requested by the hacker for your account, so the minute you share it – you will be immediately locked out! So, never ever share your 6-digit code with anyone. No-one will ever have a legitimate reason to request it.   

But please don’t let these risks put you off this fantastic messaging app. I’m a big believer in understanding the challenges so you can prepare yourself, go ahead and enjoy! And I haven’t even touched on some of the more fun aspects of the app – the stickers & the status updates – they can be quite the conversation starter! So go ahead and enjoy but just make sure you’ve done your homework!! 

7. Better on a phone than laptop because there may be less to access there

8, Ensure you ran anti-virus software on the whatsapp device

Candidate Solutions

Step-by-step guide for Example

sample code block

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