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. This technology helps prevent snooping on your personal information by 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. 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. 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.
• 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. But if you know basic safety tips, you can enjoy the app without worrying about getting snooped and tracked online. And these tips are just 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. Create a complex and long password for your WeChat profile. Consider using a password manager to generate 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. For a safe use of WeChat via public Wi-Fi, consider using VeePN, a robust VPN app that will route your traffic through an isolated tunnel to a remote server. 

Share data carefully

Sharing data too carelessly is a common cybersecurity mistake, which is why we recommend you keep in mind the following rules: 

• Think before sharing. Be mindful of the information you share on WeChat, especially with people you don’t know well. Avoid sharing sensitive information 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 feature monitors whether your login credentials and other important data have been leaked. As soon as your information appears in leaked databases, you’ll get notified to take action. For more details, read our dedicated article on what to do if your device got 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. You can secure up to 10 of your devices with just one subscription.

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

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