Is WhatsApp Safe from prying eyes......?

[ciscoxxx69]

I have a dilema and would like some advice...

I have an old Blackberry for my punting. Perfect for text and phone, small and discreet and I've got a system for keeping it hidden from Wifey.

I have an Android phone for normal life which i also run my Secret Twitter account from. All good, once logged out nothing can be traced.

Problem...
I am under increasing pressure from Wife and Friends to get WhatsApp installed on my Android phone.
I can undertsand that this a brilliant tool to stay in touch.....in ones NORMAL life Yes. But my secret life, it scares the shit outta me !!! 

I dont want this for several of reasons...
I dont really understand what it can and cant do. I dont want innapropriate messages accidentally turning up in my phone!
I dont want the human race to have access to my secret life.
I dont want all my movements to be seen. ie when I've read a message etc
I dont want to be swapping pics or asked to video call when I'm somewhere i shouldnt be.

In short I see it as a compromise to my privacy and security.

So far I have resited the requests but it is getting difficult to reason and justify my reluctance.

Any comments about how I may limit my risk will be greatly appreciated.....

[Donbe]

WhatsApp works using your phone number so your "normal" phone and punting phone have different numbers so won't be linked in any way.

[nodrah]

You could tell your wife that you have finally come to your senses and that you intend to delete Faecesbook, Twatter and all similar shite ' social media ' accounts from your life.

[Waterhouse]

You could tell your wife that you have finally come to your senses and that you intend to delete Faecesbook, Twatter and all similar shite ' social media ' accounts from your life.

Couldn't agree more. 

Never had any social media accounts outside of a FaceFuck account and I permanently deleted that well over two years ago. Never used it anyway and certainly don't miss any aspect of it whatsoever.

I hate social media with a passion.

[Winker121]

Couldn't agree more. 

Never had any social media accounts outside of a FaceFuck account and I permanently deleted that well over two years ago. Never used it anyway and certainly don't miss any aspect of it whatsoever.

I hate social media with a passion.

Sound plan that. I can't be arsed with wasting time on social media and it must be about impossible to tell what is just made up rubbish anyway.

[Fuzzyduck]

WhatsApp works using your phone number so your "normal" phone and punting phone have different numbers so won't be linked in any way.

+1

If your punting phone is separate then you should be ok. I understand the privacy (aka getting busted) concerns if, as a slight technophobe, you're worried about inadvertently giving the game away but I think the risk is low.

Whilst I tend to agree with the luddites who loathe social media platforms, WhatApp is a messaging platform and it's serves a useful function. Just think of it advanced text messaging with a bunch of other features e.g. video calls. It is a worry though that Facebook owns it and might fuck around with when they decide to try and make money from it, e.g. adverts. You can turn off the feature that allows people to see when you've read a message but you'll get asked why you've disabled it.

You can't tell where someone else is when you engage with them on WhatsApp unless they proactively tell or show you. If you're somewhere you're not meant to be, then shut down the app or turn the phone off. Presumably your wife has called you before when you've been punting so you've dealt with that situation in the past.

If you do get it, I'd not use it much for the first few weeks to establish a pattern of behaviour, e.g. you often don't read messages straightaway.

[ciscoxxx69]

+1

If your punting phone is separate then you should be ok. I understand the privacy (aka getting busted) concerns if, as a slight technophobe, you're worried about inadvertently giving the game away but I think the risk is low.

Whilst I tend to agree with the luddites who loathe social media platforms, WhatApp is a messaging platform and it's serves a useful function. Just think of it advanced text messaging with a bunch of other features e.g. video calls. It is a worry though that Facebook owns it and might fuck around with when they decide to try and make money from it, e.g. adverts. You can turn off the feature that allows people to see when you've read a message but you'll get asked why you've disabled it.

[ciscoxxx69]

Thanks Mr Duck
Thats more the response i was hoping for, rather than a judgement on my Social Media habits.
For the record, I don't do Facebook - I loathe it!
My only interest in SocMed is my 'Naughty' Twitter account, which I use to keep images and clips of my Filth, and to browse for potential sluts escorts and porn stars to engage with and fuck 

You can't tell where someone else is when you engage with them on WhatsApp unless they proactively tell or show you. If you're somewhere you're not meant to be, then shut down the app or turn the phone off. Presumably your wife has called you before when you've been punting so you've dealt with that situation in the past.

If you do get it, I'd not use it much for the first few weeks to establish a pattern of behaviour, e.g. you often don't read messages straightaway.
[/quote]

[Fuzzyduck]

Thanks Mr Duck
Thats more the response i was hoping for, rather than a judgement on my Social Media habits.
For the record, I don't do Facebook - I loathe it!
My only interest in SocMed is my 'Naughty' Twitter account, which I use to keep images and clips of my Filth, and to browse for potential sluts escorts and porn stars to engage with and fuck 

 

Personally I'd be more worried about the twitter account than whatsapp.

[Happyjose]

I quite like Whatsapp, and use it frequently

The location function is useful and I don't worry about the security of messages shared with friends

However, the number of times I fuck up by sending a message meant for one person to the wrong person/group is reason enough to justify my punting phone, which of course is entirely separate to my normal phone and doesn't share contacts or other social media from there

.

[AllenTheMan]

WhatsApp runs an account linked to your phone number so as long as you *never* log in on your punting phone you will be fine. As above i'd think twice about that twitter account though, having anything punting related on your civvy phone is a risk IMO.

[ciscoxxx69]

WhatsApp runs an account linked to your phone number so as long as you *never* log in on your punting phone you will be fine. As above i'd think twice about that twitter account though, having anything punting related on your civvy phone is a risk IMO.

Ive learnt to be VERY careful with my Twatter account and will never stay logged in.....
Thanks for your concern 

[ciscoxxx69]

I quite like Whatsapp, and use it frequently

The location function is useful and I don't worry about the security of messages shared with friends

However, the number of times I fuck up by sending a message meant for one person to the wrong person/group is reason enough to justify my punting phone, which of course is entirely separate to my normal phone and doesn't share contacts or other social media from there

.

That frightens the life out of me! What location function....? 

[Fuzzyduck]

That frightens the life out of me! What location function....? 

A user can send their location (as a map) in real time to another user. You would have to take action do that. Another user cannot remotely find your location. I suggest you never do this. If you show you can do it, then it might be expected of you in the future. Best to play ignorant technophobe if anyone asks you to do it.
That said, if it gets to a point that your wife is demanding you send her your location via WhatApp because she doesn't believe you, then you've got bigger problems.

[Revolver69]

One other possible security issue to point out with WhatsApp, that Im not sure Ive ever seen mentioned on here, is the browser/web interface which you can use to access your account at  External Link/Members Only

If you (or anyone) has brief physical access to your phone they can set up web access to all the incoming/outgoing messages going through WhatsApp.   This is done by the generation of a QR code on the webpage, which you "scan" using your phone.   This then authorises the web app to be able to see the messages which would normally only be visible on your phone, to also be viewable on a desktop/laptop.

Something to consider, if you are using WhatsApp for "naughty stuff"/contacting WG's etc.

You can check whether this has been set up on your phone - see if other users are authorised on your account... but its buried in the settings, and would be a nightmare to be constantly checking this if you had a partner who was suspicious and tech savvy enough to set this up.

[ciscoxxx69]

One other possible security issue to point out with WhatsApp, that Im not sure Ive ever seen mentioned on here, is the browser/web interface which you can use to access your account at  External Link/Members Only

If you (or anyone) has brief physical access to your phone they can set up web access to all the incoming/outgoing messages going through WhatsApp.   This is done by the generation of a QR code on the webpage, which you "scan" using your phone.   This then authorises the web app to be able to see the messages which would normally only be visible on your phone, to also be viewable on a desktop/laptop.

Something to consider, if you are using WhatsApp for "naughty stuff"/contacting WG's etc.

You can check whether this has been set up on your phone - see if other users are authorised on your account... but its buried in the settings, and would be a nightmare to be constantly checking this if you had a partner who was suspicious and tech savvy enough to set this up.

Thanks.
This is exactly the hidden nightmare I suspected could be found and used somewhere.... 

[Fuzzyduck]

Thanks.
This is exactly the hidden nightmare I suspected could be found and used somewhere.... 

Mate you have bigger problems if this worries you. If you wife gets your unlocked phone then she has access to alot more than WhatsApp. If she's tech savvy enough to do this, there's probably GPS tracking of some sort she could enable. If you have something more than punting to hide from your wife, then you probably should bin the smartphone.

[SN5]

Mate you have bigger problems if this worries you. If you wife gets your unlocked phone then she has access to alot more than WhatsApp. If she's tech savvy enough to do this, there's probably GPS tracking of some sort she could enable. If you have something more than punting to hide from your wife, then you probably should bin the smartphone.

Always always always keep the GPS turned off

[dieseldriver]

Why not be like me. Basic Nokia for personal use, and basic Nokia punter. Both obviously got different numbers. But both same phones. So if I leave punter somewhere and found, same as personal phone. I put a small dot using tipex on punter so know out the two what one it is. And its mostly kept in car. Wife has her own car, never uses mine.

Never use social media on phone, so don't need an android, smart, or whatever you call them.

[JonasG]

You'll be fine.

Totally different numbers.

[Happyjose]

That frightens the life out of me! What location function....? 

As explained it's a feature that you have to opt in to each time, and only for a set period, so little risk

But if you have this level of worry, then forget about apps - your smartphone will be tracking your location anyway and storing a record of your movements. If it's an iphone look up significant locations

[jeanphillipe]

Here is what to do :

1.) get a free sim, doesn't matter which network you just need to be able to receive a text message. (if your phone is not sim free make sure you get whatever sim is locked to your phone)

2.) Insert your new sim and setup watsapp to this number. once you have setup and got the text you can revert to original sim. keep the sim, the only reason you will ever need it is if you ever got a new phone and wanted access to watsapp backup ( watsapp bacup - backsup messages and pics in the watsapp folder )

3.) now nobody can watsapp you unless you message them first.

there is a genuine reason why people do this, watsapp can be intrusive, say this method means only people you want can watsapp you, which is the truth.

i have 2 watsapps, 1 my own number and one on parallel space, i have hidden parallel space and blocked notifications from it, so that i can only view watsapp messages when i phyically open the app.

on android there is useful feature where you can hide apps so if someone goes through your phone they wont see it. there are more secure apps you can get for this aswell, in case your OH is tech savvy and knows where to look

[SN5]

There are also apps for accessing a different WhatsApp, I won't name them. You can also password protect apps, and even download apps that allow you to change their icons and names.

As for location, just turn it off if you're not using it. I sometimes get notifications later in the day asking me to review my experience at [shopping centre] just because I parked there for a short time earlier that day, all because my location service was turned on.

[char45]

My phone shows when connected to WhatsApp web and you can also view devices that have logged in and log out of all. Not sure if someone could hide this from you if they had access to your phone for a time?

One other possible security issue to point out with WhatsApp, that Im not sure Ive ever seen mentioned on here, is the browser/web interface which you can use to access your account at  External Link/Members Only

If you (or anyone) has brief physical access to your phone they can set up web access to all the incoming/outgoing messages going through WhatsApp.   This is done by the generation of a QR code on the webpage, which you "scan" using your phone.   This then authorises the web app to be able to see the messages which would normally only be visible on your phone, to also be viewable on a desktop/laptop.

Something to consider, if you are using WhatsApp for "naughty stuff"/contacting WG's etc.

You can check whether this has been set up on your phone - see if other users are authorised on your account... but its buried in the settings, and would be a nightmare to be constantly checking this if you had a partner who was suspicious and tech savvy enough to set this up.

[ciscoxxx69]

There are also apps for accessing a different WhatsApp, I won't name them. You can also password protect apps, and even download apps that allow you to change their icons and names.

As for location, just turn it off if you're not using it. I sometimes get notifications later in the day asking me to review my experience at [shopping centre] just because I parked there for a short time earlier that day, all because my location service was turned on.

Thanks...
My Location is permanently set to off for this very reason!

[ciscoxxx69]

Here is what to do :

1.) get a free sim, doesn't matter which network you just need to be able to receive a text message. (if your phone is not sim free make sure you get whatever sim is locked to your phone)

2.) Insert your new sim and setup watsapp to this number. once you have setup and got the text you can revert to original sim. keep the sim, the only reason you will ever need it is if you ever got a new phone and wanted access to watsapp backup ( watsapp bacup - backsup messages and pics in the watsapp folder )

3.) now nobody can watsapp you unless you message them first.

there is a genuine reason why people do this, watsapp can be intrusive, say this method means only people you want can watsapp you, which is the truth.

i have 2 watsapps, 1 my own number and one on parallel space, i have hidden parallel space and blocked notifications from it, so that i can only view watsapp messages when i phyically open the app.

on android there is useful feature where you can hide apps so if someone goes through your phone they wont see it. there are more secure apps you can get for this aswell, in case your OH is tech savvy and knows where to look

THanks.
Sounds complicated, but i will read again a few times and take it from there 

[The Lone Wolf]

Hi Cisco xxx69,
I know just how you feel. I'm paranoid of WhatsApp too and being outed by some tech savvy nosey bastard.  I have young kids who are pestering me to get on it.. they'll know exactly where I am at all times..(might even ring me mid punt..)..
I also have a regular asking me to get on it too.  I  sense potential trouble ahead..

Will the above tips work with a dual SIM phone?

[Happyjose]

I know just how you feel. I'm paranoid of WhatsApp too and being outed by some tech savvy nosey bastard.  I have young kids who are pestering me to get on it.. they'll know exactly where I am at all times..(might even ring me mid punt..)..

No they won't

[threechilliman]

No they won't

Thanks. You've answered a question I was about to ask.

[Waterhouse]

Will the above tips work with a dual SIM phone?

No.

A typical dual SIM mobile will use any account details available to identify you on both SIMs i.e. email name, facefuck name etc. They will be stored on the handset, not the SIM and made available to the handset AFAIK.

Also mobile data will only be enabled on one SIM, not both - at least that's been my experience of dual SIM mobiles.


Now that both Happy and I have helped you out, How about some reciprocation/contribution via a review of your regular?

 

[jeanphillipe]

Hi Cisco xxx69,
I know just how you feel. I'm paranoid of WhatsApp too and being outed by some tech savvy nosey bastard.  I have young kids who are pestering me to get on it.. they'll know exactly where I am at all times..(might even ring me mid punt..)..
I also have a regular asking me to get on it too.  I  sense potential trouble ahead..

Will the above tips work with a dual SIM phone?

Yes this is what I have done. Install parallel space, install watsapp on parallel space. When setting up watsapp use punting sim.

Dont forget to hide parallel space and turn notifications off

[sparkus]

Forgive me for being lacking knowledge in such matters, but what connects whatsapp, twitter and facebook? I'm more interested in terms of civvies.

[Waterhouse]

Forgive me for being lacking knowledge in such matters, but what connects whatsapp, twitter and facebook? I'm more interested in terms of civvies.

In theory they are not connected if you use a normal smart phone and separate logon accounts for each, but in the case of a dual SIM phone some account details i.e. default civvie email account, then the name can get stored on the handset and can be accessed by either SIM in the case of a dual SIM phone. This is classic and typical behaviour on the old Nokia and MS Windows dual SIM phones and also on some Android variants.  Always best to have two phones and ensure the P.phone is either a simple old-school Nokia type (calls and text only) or a dumbed down smarty with all the tracking and fancy stuff switched off or to a bare minimum at the very least.

What you may see sometimes is the option to set up an account or login to the likes of FaceFuck using your Google ID for example, this will then share details between the two accounts which is a definite no-no if you want to retain control and keep it all separate.

[The Lone Wolf]

Now that both Happy and I have helped you out, How about some reciprocation/contribution via a review of your regular?

 

What?  To be defiled by you jaded old pervs? No way!

Just kidding.. I am on a mobile phone at work posting inbetween breaks, but I will definitely post up some reviews of my exploits. Many thanks for the advice too Yondo and Happy hose,  my mind is a little more at ease... Had visions of the kids video chatting me mid punt asking " why you in Sheffield dad?

Cheers for that..

[sparkus]

Thanks Yondu.

[Scottish_Kara]

I have a dilema and would like some advice...

I have an old Blackberry for my punting. Perfect for text and phone, small and discreet and I've got a system for keeping it hidden from Wifey.

I have an Android phone for normal life which i also run my Secret Twitter account from. All good, once logged out nothing can be traced.

Problem...
I am under increasing pressure from Wife and Friends to get WhatsApp installed on my Android phone.
I can undertsand that this a brilliant tool to stay in touch.....in ones NORMAL life Yes. But my secret life, it scares the shit outta me !!! 

I dont want this for several of reasons...
I dont really understand what it can and cant do. I dont want innapropriate messages accidentally turning up in my phone!
I dont want the human race to have access to my secret life.
I dont want all my movements to be seen. ie when I've read a message etc
I dont want to be swapping pics or asked to video call when I'm somewhere i shouldnt be.

In short I see it as a compromise to my privacy and security.

So far I have resited the requests but it is getting difficult to reason and justify my reluctance.

Any comments about how I may limit my risk will be greatly appreciated.....

I wouldn't use you civvy phone for a secret twitter account. It takes all the phone numbers from your phone and you will appear as a suggested friend to any one in your contacts list who is also on twitter.

[redveee]

Depending on your handset you can have two WhatsApp identities on one handset if you use a dual sim or CloudSim app.

[Cambridgy]

For those of you who want a properly secure messaging app - try Signal - it’s what WhatsApp would have been had they not sold out to Facebook. External Link/Members Only)
We’ll probably all be using this when the tossers at FB merge Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram.

[Waterhouse]

Depending on your handset you can have two WhatsApp identities on one handset if you use a dual sim or CloudSim app.

Are you sure about that? In my experience mobile data is only allowed on one SIM in a dual SIM handset.

[Avg_Joe]

Whatsapp is owned by Facebook..... so in short, NO, it's not likely to be safe or secure and will only be a matter of time before shit starts getting leaked.

And as with arsebook, i suspect your details are never really "forgotten"

[BBC_Delivery]

Couldn't agree more. 

Never had any social media accounts outside of a FaceFuck account and I permanently deleted that well over two years ago. Never used it anyway and certainly don't miss any aspect of it whatsoever.

I hate social media with a passion.

Been longer than that for me Facebook is shit

[jeanphillipe]

Are you sure about that? In my experience mobile data is only allowed on one SIM in a dual SIM handset.

Yes, you can have as many watsapps as you want. The only time you need to sim is to receive the setup text message. You dont even need the sim after that. You dont need a dual sim phone.

[Waterhouse]

Yes, you can have as many watsapps as you want. The only time you need to sim is to receive the setup text message. You dont even need the sim after that. You dont need a dual sim phone.

Whatsapp uses data though, not SMS, so you would need a SIM and with mobile data enabled in order to send and receive via Whatsapp, unless you were always connected to a WiFi network which is unlikely while wandering around town or driving/travelling. Fine for a phone that was always kept at home and connected to the home WiFI (I do this with an old work phone for group chat) but not otherwise.

[MrMatrix]

As you've identified there is a risk with watsapp if you are careless. I was with an escort in Reading sometime ago and she mentioned she had photos of her clients and also those she had rejected. I asked further and she showed me her mobile and watsapp. There were literally hundreds of numbers with face pictures and some not.  So yes I had a look at some- I was stunned that there were all these photos of these punters.
I would like to have watsapp on my punting phone- and did have some time ago when it was my main phone. It no longer has watsapp on it. I also have a Nokia which is my main punting phone. It makes and receives both calls and texts and thats all I want a punting phone to do.

[jeanphillipe]

Whatsapp uses data though, not SMS, so you would need a SIM and with mobile data enabled in order to send and receive via Whatsapp, unless you were always connected to a WiFi network which is unlikely while wandering around town or driving/travelling. Fine for a phone that was always kept at home and connected to the home WiFI (I do this with an old work phone for group chat) but not otherwise.

What I mean is, for additional watsapps.

The other instances of watsapp get data from wifi or sim1.

[latecomer]

I'm worried by this talk about having 2 SIMs -  1 normal and 1 punting - that you'd put in the same phone.  The usual (well meant) advice is: just - yes, just - always make sure you've got the right SIM for the purpose in your phone.  I guarantee that one day under stress you'll eventually end up making just one call with the wrong SIM in the phone.  To me it's just not worth the risk - always keep a separate punting phone.  They don't have to cost that much.

[SN5]

Forgive me for being lacking knowledge in such matters, but what connects whatsapp, twitter and facebook? I'm more interested in terms of civvies.

Your phone number. If you're going to have social media, keep your phone number out if it and just verify yourself via email instead.
If you want to use WhatsApp for punting reasons, verify it with a different SIM card and number and phone. Obviously access to a secret smartphone is what works best, and don't cross anything over.