New Delhi – WhatsApp has become the latest technology company to introduce an advanced security mode designed to protect high-risk users from sophisticated cyberattacks. The feature, called “Strict Account Settings,” positions Meta’s messaging service alongside Apple and Google in offering users enhanced protection options with certain restrictions that can be activated voluntarily.
Introduction of Strict Account Settings
The newly launched advanced security mode on WhatsApp provides a comprehensive one-click solution for users requiring extraordinary protection measures. This advanced security mode can be activated directly from WhatsApp’s settings, triggering a series of defensive mechanisms designed to shield users from potential surveillance and hacking attempts.
WhatsApp’s advanced security mode represents a significant step forward in user protection, particularly for individuals who face heightened security risks due to their professional roles or public profiles. The feature builds upon the platform’s existing end-to-end encryption by adding additional layers of security.
Key Features of Advanced Security Mode
The advanced security mode implements several critical protective measures once activated. First, it blocks all media and attachments coming from unknown senders, preventing potential malware or surveillance tools from reaching users’ devices through unsolicited files.
Second, the advanced security mode opts users out of link previews, which are thumbnail images that appear when a URL is sent in a chat. These previews have been identified as potential vectors for surveillance by advanced hackers, making their removal a crucial component of the advanced security mode.
Third, the advanced security mode mutes calls from contacts not saved in users’ phones. This feature prevents unexpected communication attempts that could be part of sophisticated hacking operations targeting high-risk individuals.
Target Users for Advanced Security Mode
WhatsApp explicitly stated in its blog post that while all users’ chats benefit from end-to-end encryption, the advanced security mode is designed for those requiring “extreme safeguards.” The company acknowledged that certain users—including journalists and public-facing figures—may need extraordinary protection against rare and highly sophisticated cyberattacks.
This targeted approach to the advanced security mode recognizes that not all users face the same level of digital threats. By making it an opt-in feature, WhatsApp allows users to assess their own risk levels and activate the advanced security mode accordingly.
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Expert Endorsement of Advanced Security Mode
Security researchers have praised WhatsApp’s introduction of the advanced security mode. John Scott-Railton, who works at The Citizen Lab and assists in defending civil society figures from hacking, called the rollout a “welcome development.” He expressed hope that other technology companies would follow suit in implementing similar advanced security mode features.
The endorsement from security experts underscores the importance of the advanced security mode in protecting vulnerable users who face targeted attacks from state-sponsored hackers or other sophisticated threat actors.
Meta Joins Industry Leaders
By launching this advanced security mode, Meta becomes the third major technology firm to offer enhanced protection specifically designed for high-risk users. This positioning demonstrates an industry-wide recognition of the need for specialized security features beyond standard protections.
The advanced security mode complements WhatsApp’s existing security infrastructure, which already includes end-to-end encryption for all conversations. However, the company recognized that encryption alone may not be sufficient for users facing advanced persistent threats.
Apple’s Lockdown Mode Precedent
Apple previously launched an “optional, extreme protection” feature called Lockdown Mode, targeted toward “very few individuals” who might face advanced digital threats. Apple’s advanced security mode allows users to disable most message attachments and link previews while offering restrictions on FaceTime calls and web browsing.
The similarities between Apple’s Lockdown Mode and WhatsApp’s security mode demonstrate a converging industry approach to protecting high-risk users through comprehensive restriction-based security features.
Google’s Android Advanced Protection
Alphabet’s Android operating system also rolled out an Advanced Protection Mode last year for users with “heightened security awareness.” This advanced mode restricts certain functions to offer enhanced protection, including disallowing downloads of potentially risky apps from outside the official Play Store.
The Android security mode shares the same philosophical approach as WhatsApp’s feature: accepting certain functional limitations in exchange for significantly enhanced security against sophisticated threats.
Identified Threat Vectors
The protective measures included in WhatsApp’s security mode specifically address vectors identified by security researchers as commonly exploited by advanced hackers. Media attachments, link previews, and unsolicited calls have all been used in targeted surveillance operations against journalists, activists, and other high-profile individuals.
By blocking these potential entry points, the advanced mode creates a hardened security perimeter around users’ accounts, making successful penetration significantly more difficult for even well-resourced attackers.
One-Click Activation Simplicity
A crucial feature of the advanced mode is its ease of activation. The one-click option in WhatsApp’s settings makes it accessible to users who may not have extensive technical knowledge but face genuine security threats. This simplicity ensures that the advanced security mode can be quickly deployed when threats emerge.
Future of Enhanced User Protection
The introduction of the advanced mode by WhatsApp, following similar moves by Apple and Google, suggests an emerging standard for protecting high-risk users in the technology industry. As digital threats continue to evolve, such specialized security features will likely become increasingly important for vulnerable user populations.
