India, Jan. 5 -- Millions of people rely on WhatsApp to stay connected, but the app's popularity also makes it a target for hackers and scammers. Recent reports have exposed new security threats, including a tactic called GhostPairing, which tricks users into linking their accounts to an attacker's browser. Researchers have also shown how billions of phone numbers can be exposed through the app's contact discovery tool, along with profile photos and other personal data.

WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that only you and the person you're messaging can read your chats. It has also introduced passkey-protected backups and privacy-focused AI features. Beyond these protections, users can take additional steps to strengthen their...