Is WhatsApp secure?
WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to keep data safe while it is transferred from sender to recipient. So is WhatsApp safe to use? Yes — texts sent through the secure messaging app will be encrypted while in transit, so only you and the person you’re messaging can see them. The same security applies to voice and video calls and photos sent via WhatsApp.
An end-to-end encrypted message cannot be viewed by anyone while in transit. The message is scrambled into indecipherable code while in transit, so only you and the person you’re messaging can see it.
End-to-end encryption is not unique to the WhatsApp messenger, of course. Other messaging apps, like Telegram and Signal, also offer this feature. However, WhatsApp is probably the most widely used service offering this level of security.
Let’s take a closer look at WhatsApp’s security, from the app’s ability to protect users from hackers to its safety for teenagers.
Is WhatsApp safe from hackers?
Before you install WhatsApp, you should be aware of how safe the app is from hackers. The good news is that with end-to-end encryption, your messages are protected from Wi-Fi snooping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
However, hackers could still try to hack your account by cracking your password. If you use a weak, easy-to-guess password, it could take seconds for a hacker’s brute forcing software to get through the login process. That’s why using a complex password containing at least 10 characters is essential for security.
You can set up two-step verification (also known as two-factor authentication) on your WhatsApp account, making it much harder for hackers to gain access to your profile. Two-step verification is an optional feature, but we strongly recommend setting it up.
Is WhatsApp safe for sending private photos?
WhatsApp encrypts your data while in transit, which makes the app a good option for sending private photos. While images and videos are moving between users, they are encrypted and cannot be decrypted until they reach their intended recipient. You can also set up your account so that photos cannot be saved through screenshots, making it easier to keep your images private.
With that being said, it is important to remember that the messaging app can still be hacked if you use weak passwords and don’t set up two-step authentication. Even if your photos are encrypted in transit, they could still be accessed through your account.
Is WhatsApp safe for kids?
WhatsApp is as safe for kids as most messaging applications. In itself, the app is not entirely unsafe and can be used to keep children in touch with parents and friends. However, as with any app of this kind, kids are at risk of being targeted by strangers, cyberbullies, and WhatsApp scams. For this reason, it is important to talk with younger users and make them aware of the potential risks.
Kids might also benefit from using the WhatsApp web interface, rather than a mobile app. This means they can use the service while on a family computer, making it easier for parents to keep an eye on their activities and limit risky behavior. But if you need to give your device to a child, make sure to learn how to lock the phone screen beforehand.
WhatsApp security issues
WhatsApp has some security and privacy issues that users should be aware of.
- Malware exploits: WhatsApp has been vulnerable to a variety of malware exploits in recent years. For example, in 2022, WhatsApp patched a vulnerability that could have allowed hackers to infect victims’ devices with malware via video calls. In 2025, the platform suffered from CVE-2025-30401 — a vulnerability where a crafted file with a mismatched MIME/extension let attackers run arbitrary code on Windows desktop devices when the user opened an attachment (leading to full device takeover). That same year, malicious actors delivered Graphite zero-click spyware through a PDF in a WhatsApp group chat. The spyware targeted over 90 journalists and activists, allowing device takeover and app data exfiltration. While this and other mentioned threats have been mitigated, they demonstrated the ongoing risks that malware poses to WhatsApp users.
- AI/agentic integrations and MCP attacks: Some AI “agent” tools can trick WhatsApp into sharing your chats and contacts via the Model Context Protocol (MCP), even though the encryption is supposed to keep them safe. In April 2025, cybersecurity expert Luca Beurer-Kellner and Invariant Labs discovered two ways to do it: one through a sleeper malicious MCP server that activates later, and the other through a pure prompt-injection message that directly manipulates data. These results further proved that you should never use AI agents that connect to WhatsApp through suspicious MCP servers, and always review the permissions of any automation plugins you use.
- Phishing scams: Like any messaging app, WhatsApp is often used for phishing attacks. These scams involve criminals sending links to potential victims that could infect their devices with malware. The attacker usually pretends to be a trusted contact and may even hijack the account of a friend or family member to do so. Once you click on the link, you’ll be connected with a server that installs malware onto your device.
- Privacy concerns: WhatsApp is owned by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, so users are right to be wary about their privacy credentials. In 2021, the WhatsApp privacy policy was changed to allow more user data to be shared with Meta, further underlining its close links with the notoriously data-hungry tech giant. In May 2024, the app’s engineers warned that while message content remains end-to-end encrypted, unencrypted metadata can be exposed, allowing traffic analysis to bypass encryption.
While these threats might make you want to delete WhatsApp, there are steps you can take to make your experience on the app safer.
How to use WhatsApp safely
Though end-to-end encryption can protect messages and calls, you can take steps to enhance overall safety on the app.
- 1.Use strong passwords. No matter how robust WhatsApp’s encryption is, you can’t keep your messages private if you don’t use strong passwords. While a short phrase might be easier to remember, it’s also easier to crack. Instead, use long, complex passwords with no recognizable words, combining letters, numbers, and symbols. The length of the password is key — a good password should be at least 10 characters long.
- 2.Enable two-step verification. With two-step verification, you protect your account with both a strong password and a private numerical pin. Even if a hacker cracks the password, they will also need your pin to access your account. Regardless of how strong your password is, you should always enable two-step verification for additional security.
- 3.Don’t follow links in messages. When someone sends you a link in a WhatsApp message, be on your guard. Even if you know the sender, double-check that it is really them and that their account hasn’t been hacked. Cybercriminals will try to trick you into clicking links and downloading malware, and the best defense against this threat is just avoiding message links. You should also consider installing malware protection on your devices, to add a further layer of defense against these attacks.
- 4.Review AI/third-party integrations. When using WhatsApp, only allow tools you fully trust. Carefully reviewing the permissions for third-party tools and AI agents and disconnecting unused MCP endpoints can significantly lower the chance of infecting your device with malware.
- 5.Enable encrypted cloud backups. WhatsApp launched encrypted cloud backups in late 2021, but the feature is turned off by default. To secure your chat histories, enable encrypted backups so they’d be safely stored in iCloud (iOS) or Google Drive (Android).
- 6.Only download WhatsApp from official sources. If the app stops working, don’t search for “new” versions. Fake builds often contain malware, so update or reinstall only via the official sources. If WhatsApp is down, wait for service to be restored.
