WhatsApp Enhances Account Security With Alphanumeric Passwords and Multiple Passkeys

WhatsApp announced on Tuesday a series of updates designed to strengthen account security for its more than 3 billion users worldwide. The new features include an upgraded two-step verification process that now supports full alphanumeric passwords and the ability to link multiple passkeys to a single account. The platform is also enhancing call identification for unknown numbers to provide users with more context before they answer.

The most significant change to two-step verification replaces the previous six-digit PIN with the option for a longer, alphanumeric password that can include special characters. This upgrade is intended to make accounts harder to compromise. WhatsApp stated that the new password option is "longer, alphanumeric, and even with special characters to make it harder to guess." The company added a direct message to users: "If you've been using 123456, this is your sign to upgrade."

The update to passkey support allows users to link more than one passkey to their account. This is particularly useful for individuals who use both iOS and Android devices, as they can now create a separate passkey for each platform. Passkeys, which WhatsApp first introduced in...