Security tips on protecting your instant messaging account | Information Technology Services Office

Instant Messaging (IM) applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, LINE and etc. have become essential tools for both business and daily communication. With insufficient security measure, hackers may easily take control of the vulnerable account, leading to personal information leakage or account identity stolen for other social engineering attacks.

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Here are some handy tips to protect your IM account.

1. Do not share the registration code with others

Hackers send instant messages to WhatsApp users requesting input of their six-digit verification code issued to their phones via SMS message by mistake. If you provide the verification code sent to your phone via SMS, the hacker will get control of your account. Then, the hacker may use the same approach to steal your contacts’ accounts or ask them to purchase gift card.

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2. Turn on Two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is a layer of additional security that acts like a password for your account. It contains risk of exposure when your account being compromised by someone obtaining your verification code.

Find out how to set up the two-factor authentication on the following IM applications:

Line

3. Log out your account from an inactive device

Most of the IM applications support web browsing. To ensure the others cannot read your conversations, you should disconnect the connection afterwards. It would be a good practice to review connected devices regularly and log out from inactive devices.