Overview
- ESET published a ten‑step, 10‑minute checklist that tells users to update OS and apps, enable a secure lock, remove unused apps, review app permissions, and disable unused connections to reduce attack surface.
- The checklist also urges enabling two‑factor authentication, verifying automatic backups in Google Drive or iCloud, and installing a trusted security app so users can recover data and block phishing and malware.
- WhatsApp has begun rolling out usernames that let people start chats without sharing phone numbers and enforces rules such as 3–30 characters, at least one letter, and only lowercase letters, numbers, dots, and underscores.
- Security specialists warn criminals can create look‑alike usernames to impersonate companies or contacts and advise choosing non‑identifying usernames, enabling Username Key when available, keeping the app updated, and verifying requests by other channels.
- Taken together, these developments show how simple user habits can lower everyday risk while platform controls and safeguards will be needed to limit new fraud that platforms and users must manage.