WhatsApp enhances security with strict account settings and Rust integration

WhatsApp is introducing new Strict Account Settings to bolster the security of high-risk users against sophisticated cyber threats. This feature aims to provide enhanced protection for individuals who may be targeted by advanced attacks, according to a recent report by Security Affairs.

The Strict Account Settings function as a lockdown mode, applying the most restrictive privacy options available. This includes automatically blocking attachments and media from unknown senders, silencing calls from unfamiliar numbers, and limiting certain app functionalities. The feature can be enabled through the app's privacy settings.

In parallel, WhatsApp is integrating the Rust programming language into its media sharing features. This move is intended to strengthen the security of photos, videos, and messages against spyware. Meta is implementing a multi-pronged strategy for memory safety, which includes reducing the attack surface, enhancing existing C and C++ code, and prioritizing memory-safe languages for new development. Additional security measures such as control-flow integrity and hardened memory allocators are also being deployed.

Source: Security Affairs