Using a file explorer app such as ES File Explorer, you can find WhatsApp’s ‘Images’ and ‘Videos’ folders and create a file within each called ‘.nomedia’. This will stop Android Gallery app from scanning the folder.

2. You can restrict access to your WhatsApp profile picture to people who’re in your phone’s address book. People who don’t know you can download your picture from your WhatsApp profile and, through Google Image search, can find out more about you if you use the same picture on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or your company’s website.

Set profile picture sharing to “contacts only” in the Privacy menu to enable this feature.

3. WhatsApp will never contact users through the app and does not send emails about chats, voice messages, payment, changes, photos, or videos, unless you contact their help and support.

Anyone offering a free subscription, claiming to be from WhatsApp or encouraging you to follow links in order to safeguard your account is definitely a scam and should not be trusted. These links could lead to websites that install malware and spyware or track your personal details.

4. If you lose your smartphone, it’s advisable to immediately activate WhatsApp with the same phone number on a different phone, with a replacement SIM.

One of the basic security measures that WhatsApp takes is that the app can only be used by one number on one device at a time, so by doing so you instantly block it from being used on your old phone.

If that’s not possible, WhatsApp can also deactivate your account.

5. How many times have you given your phone to your friend without worrying about exposing your private messages and picture?

While WhatsApp doesn't offer a built-in password or pin, you can use third party apps like Messenger and Chat Lock, Lock for WhatsApp and Secure Chat if you use an Android phone to prevent peeping toms.