If we spend many hours in front of the computer, it is most likely that if WhatsApp has become an important part of it or of our day to day, we will use the web version available or the application available for Windows. This can pose a privacy problem if we use this platform via the web, since if we leave the computer briefly, anyone can access our chats. Or at least it was so until now.
And we say that it was like this until now, because WhatsApp is testing a new function that we can activate without any problem by joining the WhatsApp Web beta program, a program that is not the same as the development of applications for iOS and Android. This new function allows us to configure WhatsApp Web so that, each time we access, it asks us for an access password, an access password that blocks access to the web version of WhatsApp and that, without a doubt, will be of great help in work environments. to protect our chats and even in the family environment.
How to protect WhatsApp Web with password
As we have mentioned above, this new function is currently only available to users who are part of the WhatsApp Web beta program. Fortunately, and, unlike the version for mobile devices, we do not have to go through any complicated process or wait to sign up for this program, we just have to check a box to start using the beta phase.
To join the WhatsApp Web beta program, we just have to access the configuration options, clicking on the three dots located on the right side of our avatar and access the Help section. Within this section, we must check the Join the beta version box. Automatically, once we have checked this box, we can now access this new function that will allow us to protect our web version of WhatsApp with a password.
Next, we return to the WhatsApp configuration options and access the Privacy section. Within the privacy options, we find an option that is not available if we are part of the beta program called Screen lock. By clicking on this function, we are shown a brief description of the function, a function that disables notifications with the lock screen and requires a password to access.
To activate it, we just have to check the Screen lock box and enter, twice, what is the password that we want to use to block access to WhatsApp Web every time we access it. The password must be composed of a minimum of 6 characters.
Once we have activated this function, the configuration options are shown, the time required for WhatsApp Web to block access once we have stopped using it. The available options are:
- 1 minutes
- 15 minutes
- 1 hour
From this moment on, we can close the web version of WhatsApp. The next time we access, if the established time has passed, we will be asked for the password we have established. If we forget the password, we just have to log out of the device from our mobile device or from the web version to re-enter a new one.
