With nearly two billion monthly active users, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging services in the world. This success is largely due to its ease of use, which allows you to stay in touch with loved ones and share photos or videos. Meta's application also stands out for its end-to-end encryption and, more recently, the integration of the Meta AI assistant.
However, a feature enabled by default in WhatsApp, automatic media downloading, leaves you vulnerable without your knowledge. It allows you to save all photos, videos, and documents received, which poses two major problems. The first is seeing your storage space decrease day by day, but that's not the most serious. Indeed, this feature presents major risks by leaving the door open to cyberattacks via infected files (viruses, phishing).
Why does WhatsApp activate by default?
Meta's messaging service emphasizes user experience and activates automatic media downloading by default. This choice allows users to instantly access photos and videos shared by their contacts. However, this automation represents an opportunity for malicious actors who can more easily distribute files containing spyware or malware. These can be seemingly innocuous images, PDF documents, or other formats supported by WhatsApp.
When media is automatically downloaded to a device, it can compromise sensitive personal data, such as login credentials or banking information. Phishing attacks, in particular, often rely on the mass sending of these types of booby-trapped files, taking advantage of the automatic download to infect as many unwary users as possible. In most cases, you won't realize you have malware on your phone until it's too late.
WhatsApp: How to Disable This Potentially Dangerous Feature?
Fortunately, you can limit the risks by disabling this feature. The procedure only takes a few seconds from the WhatsApp app and will strengthen the security of your device.
To do this, simply go to the app's Settings, then to Storage and Data. In the Auto-download media section (abbreviated as Auto-download media), you can precisely define under which conditions (mobile data, Wi-Fi, roaming) photos, videos, documents, and audio files can be downloaded. For optimal protection, it is strongly recommended to choose the No media option for each category. Note that this action does not prevent you from manually downloading the desired files. It simply gives you back the power to choose what you want to save on your phone.
By making this change, you also preserve your smartphone's storage space. Photos and videos can quickly clutter your device and the Photos app, especially if you're in active groups. With one simple tweak, you'll hit the jackpot by strengthening your security and controlling what's on your phone.
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