Facebook Inc.-owned messaging service WhatsApp is providing the ability to enable additional security for your account.

Last April, WhatsApp rolled out end-to-end encryption for all its users by default. The feature ensures all messages, photos, videos, files and voice messages sent on the service are protected from any third parties, including WhatsApp.

The latest optional WhatsApp security feature ensures that any attempt to verify your phone number on WhatsApp will need to be accompanied by a six-digit passcode created by you when you first enable the feature.

WhatsApp two-step verification

Open WhatsApp on your device, tap Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification. Tap Enable > enter a six-digit passcode.

At this stage, you will also have the option to enter an email address. It is important that you provide an accurate email address as WhatsApp will use it if you forget your passcode and want to disable two-step verification. You will click on the link in the email and be able to disable two-step verification and access your WhatsApp account.

Note: WhatsApp does not verify the email address that you enter to confirm that it is accurate, so make sure you double check the email address before enabling the feature.    

If you choose not to enter an email address when enabling two-step verification, you will be locked out of your account for seven days if you can’t remember your passcode. Any messages sent to you during that seven-day period will not be delivered.

After seven days, WhatsApp will allow you to re-authorize your account without your passcode.

To ensure you remember your passcode, WhatsApp will ask for it periodically.

Image via WhatsApp