How to Disable WhatsApp Link Preview: Safeguard IP Address

We know that WhatsApp conversations are end-to-end encrypted. No one except the parties involved in the chat knows about the chat’s content. That’s quite an assurance to secure the data you exchange over conversations.

However, all that security will be foiled if someone exploits your device’s IP address to hack it through link previews shared in your chat. Security researchers have said that sharing links with a preview feature can pose a threat, as your IP may be exposed.

This guide explains why you should turn off WhatsApp link preview on your . Also, you will learn the dangerous outcome of exposing your phone/computer’s IP address to cyber miscreants.

IP Address Exploitation through WhatsApp Link Preview

We need to understand what is a link preview is in WhatsApp.

When you share a webpage link with someone through a chat, a small thumbnail is created right above the link, showing the featured image for that article/site to which the link is pointing.

A link preview allows the recipient to understand what the content is about once they receive the link in the chat.

It has been noticed that when you tap on a link preview in WhatsApp, your device’s IP address can be revealed to the concerned site’s (in the link) web server.

Problem with IP Address Breach

With your IP address exposed, you may end up as a victim of a DDoS Attack, or your approximate/precise geographical location may be leaked.

You may receive spam messages/emails on your devices, and see unsolicited ads on web pages.

To make matters worse, your IP address can be misused to wrongly frame you for cybercrime or other criminal activities.

Sometimes, the IP address can be intentionally leaked on the dark web to subject you to cybercrime of various degrees.

Now, you know the dangers of allowing the link preview in WhatsApp chats.

I’m not implying that every website or its subdomains sent to you via WhatsApp link(with link preview enabled) will seriously hack your device or put you in trouble.

The chances of that happening are narrow. However, I’m suggesting keeping it safe.

Not to mention, we all know how personal data is subject to breach with Meta’s digital products.

Turn off WhatsApp Link Preview on Android

If you using WhatsApp on an Android device, follow these steps to turn off the link preview in Chats. The feature to disable link previews was integrated with the rollout of WhatsApp v2.24.8.11.

Launch WhatsApp on your Android phone.
Tap the menu button(3-vertical dots) and select Settings.
Under the Settings, access the option Privacy.
Scroll to Advanced and tap on it.
Press the toggle next to Disable Link Previews to stop the thumbnail preview of the linked article/site/webpage from appearing.

How to Disable Link Preview in WhatsApp for iOS

After learning of the possible exploit of IP address reveal to web servers through link previews, WhatsApp v24.7.10.76 was rolled out for iOS s. It offers the feature to turn off the link preview in the chats.

Go to the iOS App Library and launch WhatsApp.
Tap on Settings at the bottom .
Access the Privacy settings.
Scroll to Advanced and tap on it.
Press the switch beside Disable Link Previews.

Stop Seeing Link Previews on WhatsApp Web

Do you use WhatsApp Web on a PC browser? Follow the steps explained in this section to turn off the link preview on WhatsApp’s web app.

Launch web.whatsapp.com on your PC browser. [Mobile device must be linked to WhatsApp Web]
Click the gear icon on the left sidebar once the chats load.
Select Privacy in the Settings menu.
Scroll to the tab Advanced and check the box Disable Link Previews.

If you have already disabled the link preview from the WhatsApp phone application, it will reflect on WhatsApp Web as well, if it’s the same .

You don’t have to separately access the same on WhatsApp Web to turn off the link previews.

Disable Link Preview on WhatsApp Desktop App

WhatsApp desktop app s can turn off the link preview feature on their mobile devices. The change will reflect on the desktop client.

As of now, there is no exclusive setting provided on the desktop client to disable the link preview in the chats.

By visiting Settings > in WhatsApp for desktop, you can see that the privacy settings for your are managed from the WhatsApp settings on the phone app.

A Loophole in WhatsApp after Turning off Link Preview

Turning the link preview off surely saves your IP address from unauthorized access or being shared publicly.

When you share links in the WhatsApp chat, only the link will be shared, and no preview will be included.

This, however, allows cyber criminals and scammers to send you phishing links.

As you cannot view the thumbnail preview for a link, there is are chance of tapping the link and landing on a phishing webpage.

Just be mindful of who is sending you links via WhatsApp chat. Do not open suspicious links from WhatsApp s that are not in your list to avoid getting targeted by phishing scams.

If you feel your WhatsApp has been hacked, you can try this solution to safeguard yourself from potential damage.

Bottom Line

With link previews disabled, your IP address is now safe from being accessed by web servers or any third-party elements that could misuse it.

Update WhatsApp on your preferred platforms to its latest version to view the option for turning off link previews in the chat.

For more information, you may send an email to the official WhatsApp at @.whatsapp.com.

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