Receiving spam messages is never fun, but it is twice as much annoying to deal with on your primary messaging app. WhatsApp is no stranger to spam pushers and other malicious entities trying to scam you out of money. Once the WhatsApp notification pops up on your phone, your natural response is to click on it. Some scammers use this as a strategy to get you to click on phishing links. To combat this, WhatsApp now allows users to block spam senders from the lock screen itself. Today, we bring you the top 4 ways to block spam on WhatsApp.
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In This Article
What’s new on WhatsApp?
Over the last couple of years, spam and malicious scams have increased drastically on WhatsApp. Most of the extortion scams operate by either making you click on a malicious link or gaining access to your device by making you download an APK. If you receive a suspicious message from an unknown number, you should be mindful of how you interact with it. To tackle spam (and other kinds of malicious content) on the platform, do not hesitate to use the block button liberally.
Even though the security measures in place haven’t kept up with the volume of spam pushed on the platform, WhatsApp is taking steps to filter unwanted content. The messenger recently introduced a new feature that allows users to block unknown numbers directly from the lock screen. As soon as you receive a new message notification, you can expand it and hit the block button. This saves you from accidentally clicking on phishing links and other malicious content.
Block spam messages on WhatsApp directly from the lock screen
WhatsApp’s new feature lets you block spam messages directly from the lock screen. This feature is being rolled out in a phased manner so it may take some time to reach your device. Make sure the app is updated to its latest version on your device.
Step 1: Hit the arrow next to the message on your lock screen.
Step 2: Select Block from the list of quick actions.
Block a sender from the chat thread
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp and open the message from the unknown sender.
Step 2: Hit the Block button on the sender’s card.
Use the block button on the sender’s WhatsApp profile
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp and open the conversation thread with the person you want to block.
Step 2: Tap on their contact number/name at the top of the screen.
Step 3: Scroll down and hit the Block button at the bottom of their profile.
Silence WhatsApp calls from unknown numbers
Sometimes, spam pushers resort to calling you on WhatsApp. This tactic is also used by a lot of scammers. Luckily, WhatsApp allows you to silence all calls from unknown numbers. Once the call has ended, you will get a notification alert about the missed call. Here’s how you can enable this feature.
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp and hit the ellipses at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 2: Go to Settings.
Step 3: Select Privacy.
Step 4: Tap on Calls.
Step 5: Turn on the toggle switch next to ‘Silence unknown callers’.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the easiest way to block someone on WhatsApp?
Simply expand the new message notification on your lock screen and hit the Block button to block the sender. This only works for people who aren’t in your contact list.
How do I block calls from unknown callers on WhatsApp?
While you can’t block calls from unknown numbers on WhatsApp, the platform offers you the option to silence them. Go to Setttings>Privacy>Calls and turn on the toggle switch next to ‘Silence unknown callers’.
Where can I see my WhatsApp block list?
Go to Settings>Privacy>Blocked Contacts to view your block list on WhatsApp.
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Conclusion
These are the top 4 ways to block spam senders on WhatsApp. Despite your best efforts, spam has a way of creeping into your WhatsApp inbox. To reduce the volume of unwanted messages, don’t hand out your primary number to businesses and e-services. If you know any other way to tackle spam on the platform, let us know in the comments!
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