In a bid to enhance user security, Meta has unveiled a new feature on WhatsApp designed to combat phishing attempts and protect its over 2.78 billion global users.
Users can now block suspicious contacts without opening their messages, streamlining the process and reducing the risk of falling victim to phishing or smishing attempts.
WhatsApp is also educating users on identifying phishing attempts by highlighting common signs such as spelling or grammar mistakes and advising against clicking on suspicious links.
With the rise in phishing and smishing attempts, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting WhatsApp users, urging them to click on urgent messages and share personal information, making enhanced security measures crucial.
In addition to the new blocking feature, WhatsApp has introduced other safety measures including silencing unknown numbers and reporting them, allowing users to block messages from unknown numbers directly from the lock screen.
This latest move by Meta is seen as a positive step towards addressing the ease of sending messages on WhatsApp with just a phone number, offering users more control over their contacts and enhancing overall security on the platform.