It’s an optional feature, but in the interests of security, it’s worth it.

WhatsApp have officially rolled out an optional two-step verification feature on the messaging app, requiring a six-digit passcode for any attempt to verify your phone number on WhatsApp. Essentially, it will prevent anyone but you (or anyone you provide the six-digit passcode to) from verifying your phone number on the app, handy in case your phone would ever fall into the wrong hands. WhatsApp have been testing the feature in Beta mode since the tail end of last year but have now rolled it out officially and it is easily accessible in WhatsApp; simply open the app and go to: Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable. Once you’ve enabled the feature, an option is provided to enter an email address to further safeguard your account and to enable WhatsApp to send a link to disable two-step verification if you ever forget your six-digit passcode. WhatsApp do not verify the email address to confirm its accuracy and highly recommend you provide an accurate email address so that you're not locked out of your account if you forget your passcode. They also stress that if you receive an email to disable two-step verification, but did not request this, do not click on the link as someone could be attempting to verify your phone number on WhatsApp. Also, it’s worth bearing in mind that if you’re a featherhead and forget your passcode and haven’t provided an email address, then not even you will be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within seven days of last using it. “After these seven days, your number will be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp without your passcode, but you will lose all pending messages upon reverifying - they will be deleted,” a notice on the WhatsApp FAQ page reads. “If your number is reverified on WhatsApp after 30 days of last using WhatsApp, and without your passcode, your account will be deleted and a new one will be created upon successfully reverifying.” It’s all explained in further detail here, but if you want to keep your WhatsApp account as secure as possible (*cough whatever the reasons *cough), then it could be well worth taking a few seconds to activate.