How to prevent strangers from messaging me in WhatsApp?

How to prevent strangers from messaging me in WhatsApp - briefly?

To prevent strangers from messaging you on WhatsApp, adjust your privacy settings to allow messages only from your contacts or specific people. Additionally, avoid sharing your phone number publicly to minimize the risk of unsolicited messages.

How to prevent strangers from messaging me in WhatsApp - in detail?

To prevent strangers from messaging you on WhatsApp, you need to adjust your privacy settings and take some additional steps to ensure your security. Here's a detailed guide:

1. Set Your Privacy Settings:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to "Settings."
   • Tap on "Account" and then "Privacy."
   • Under the "Privacy" section, you will see several options:
     • Last Seen: Choose who can see your last seen status. The "Nobody" option is the most private.
     • Profile Photo: Decide whether everyone, your contacts, or nobody can see your profile photo.
     • About: Control who can read your About information.
     • Status: Limit who can see your status updates.
   • For each of these settings, selecting "Nobody" will ensure that only you can view the information.

2. Block Unknown Contacts:

   • If a stranger adds you to their contacts and messages you, you can block them.
   • Go to the chat with the unknown contact.
   • Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the screen.
   • Select "Block" from the menu. Confirm your action when prompted.
   • Blocking will prevent the stranger from sending you messages or seeing your last seen status, profile photo, about information, and status updates.

3. Disable Read Receipts:

   • Go to "Settings" > "Account" > "Privacy."
   • Turn off "Read Receipts."
   • This setting ensures that strangers (or anyone) cannot see if you've read their messages, adding an extra layer of privacy.

4. Limit Who Can Add You to Groups:

   • In the same "Privacy" settings menu, look for the option "Groups."
   • Choose who can add you to groups: "Everyone," "My Contacts," or "Nobody."
   • Selecting "Nobody" will prevent strangers from adding you to unwanted group chats.

5. Use Two-Step Verification:

   • Go to "Settings" > "Account" > "Two-step verification."
   • Enable this feature by following the on-screen instructions.
   • This adds an extra layer of security to your WhatsApp account, making it harder for someone else to verify your phone number on WhatsApp.

6. Avoid Sharing Your Phone Number Publicly:

   • Be cautious about sharing your phone number on public platforms or with people you don't know well.
   • Strangers can use your phone number to find and message you on WhatsApp if it's linked to your account.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of strangers messaging you on WhatsApp. Maintaining a high level of privacy will ensure that only those you trust can contact you through the app.