Is WeChat Safe? Evaluating Security and Privacy Risks

How safe is WeChat?

To understand how safe WeChat is, let’s discuss its main security features. They are the following: 

• Encryption. WeChat encrypts all traffic while it’s moving between your device and the platform’s servers with AES 256-bit standard. The technology is used to avoid snooping on your personal information by the third parties. 
• Two-factor authentication (2FA). Two-factor authentication requires a code from your phone in addition to your password when logging in your WeChat account. Simply put, 2FA adds an extra layer of security. 
• Regular security updates. The app gets regular security updates which aim to fix safety gaps and loopholes, ensuring WeChat doesn’t have any vulnerabilities. 

But even though WeChat provides these security measures, there are still many issues that don’t make the app entirely safe. With that said, let’s discuss some WeChat security concerns. 

WeChat security concerns

Before using this app, you have to know about several WeChat security issues this application implies: 

• Extensive data collection. WeChat gathers a lot of your data, including personal information, contacts, location, and even chat history, which means it can access user data far beyond basic account details. In fact, other messaging apps such as Signal or WhatsApp commonly don’t collect so much information.
• Unclear data sharing policy. WeChat might share your personal information with third parties or even governments, and this data access may also extend across affiliated services. In fact, WeChat shares the same servers with Weixin, which is a China-based service. Even though WeChat and Weixin are considered by Tencent as two separate entities, some of Weixin features are available via WeChat which means the app might share its data to Weixin in one way or another. 
• No end-to-end encryption. Unlike apps such as Signal, WeChat doesn’t use end-to-end encryption. This means all traffic gets encoded only during transfer, but can potentially be accessed by WeChat’s servers, including user communications and data stored in the cloud.
• Chinese surveillance regulations. Since WeChat is subject to Chinese laws, there’s a possibility that the government obliges the platform to collect and share your personal information according to the local surveillance regulations.

These privacy and security concerns may scare you away from using WeChat. However, when you are aware of simple safety measures, you can use the app without fear of being snooped and tracked on the web. And these suggestions, that is only one scroll down! 

How to use WeChat safely?

There are three major considerations when using WeChat: securing your profile, careful data sharing, and use of a virtual private network (VPN) app. Let’s review each of these safety practices: 

Secure your account

You can secure your WeChat account with these simple actions: 

• Create a strong password. A password manager can be considered as a tool to create and store strong passwords. 
• Enable 2FA. If this feature isn’t active in your WeChat app, it’s time to turn it on. Sure, it will take a little bit more time to log in to your account, but 2FA will guarantee your login credentials won’t leak. 
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi hotspots are commonly less secure than private ones and can be accessed by anyone, so hackers and snoopers can easily steal your sensitive information over such unprotected networks. To ensure a secure use of WeChat over the generic Wi-Fi, you may adopt VeePN a powerful VPN application that will force your traffic into an isolated tunnel to a distant server. 

Share data carefully

One of the most frequent cybersecurity errors is being overly careless when sharing data, that is why the following rules are the ones that we suggest that you remember: 

• Think before sharing. Be mindful of the information you share on WeChat, especially with people you don’t know well. Avoid sharing sensitive user data like your home address, financial details, or private documents.
• Limit the app’s permissions. Check what permissions WeChat has on your device. Access to geo-location information, your media storage, and other information may lead to leakage of these sensitive data to third parties. It’s better to disable relatable permissions to stay on the safe side. 
• Consider using a separate device. You can just use a separate and “clean” device for using WeChat, so that it doesn’t store any sensitive information you’re concerned with.  

Use a VPN app

A VPN app is a good security solution for using WeChat safely because it transitions all your Internet traffic through an isolated “tunnel” to a remote server. This means you can’t be tracked online and stay anonymous as nobody will be able to see your personal information. 

However, we need to warn you against using free VPN services as they commonly sell user data to third parties to earn revenue. Instead, try a premium VPN app like VeePN as it offers a range of security features: 

• Enhanced IP address masking. VeePN has 2,500 remote servers in 89 locations, which means you can easily connect to any server to conceal your identity and real location. Additionally, this feature can help you with accessing your favorite streaming services while traveling abroad.  
• Double VPN. To take your Internet privacy to the next level, Double VPN passes and encrypts your traffic through two remote servers, making your personal information almost impossible to intercept and read.  
• Kill Switch. In case VPN connection drops, this feature will automatically block access to your device, so nobody will be able to use this situation for stealing your sensitive data. 
• No Logs policy. Unlike free VPN apps, VeePN doesn’t collect your sensitive information or sell it to third parties such as advertising agencies. By using VeePN, you can be sure you are secure not only from prying eyes, but also from annoying ads and spam calls.   
• Breach Alerts. This functionality keeps track of whether your log in information among other valuable information has been compromised. As soon as your data is leaked into the databases, you will receive a notification to act. To get the details, visit our specific article on what to do in case your device has been hacked.

In addition to these features, VeePN is extremely easy to use. Just check this short guide below! 

How to use VeePN for WeChat

1. Subscribe to VeePN at https://order.veepn.com/pricing/
2. Sign up and log in to your account.
3. Download and install VeePN on your device.  
4. Open the VeePN app.
5. Choose a remote server you would like to connect to. Also, you can select an Optimal Location to connect to the nearest remote server with the best connection available. 
6. Connect to the server you’ve chosen.
7. Enjoy using WeChat safely!

Compatible with the majority of operation systems and devices, VeePN can become your reliable protection while using WeChat. With a single subscription, you are able to secure 10 or more of your devices.

Get VeePN right now and have a 30-day money back guarantee!

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.

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