Messenger security: Viber features for extra user protection

Rakuten Viber, the global leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, is highly focused on security in the application, thus, since armenia2016, core functions in the messenger are protected by end-to-end encryption by default: this includes personal chats (one-on-one chats and group chats) and one-on-one audio or video calls, private media sharing and linked devices. That means that Viber does not store messages on servers, and files are encrypted on the sender's device and decrypted on the recipient's device. Neither the messenger nor third parties can access the transmitted content. 

Besides the security features that are included in the messenger by default, Viber has a wide range of additional options to make it even more secure:

• Caller ID for incoming calls. The new feature of incoming calls identification in Viber messenger is available in Armenia (on Android). It alerts about scammers and spam calls, as well as helps not to miss an important call from a courier or an online store, where the user has placed an order. When Viber is installed, a person does not have to download another application to identify the phone number.
• 2-Step Verification. Thanks to the feature, Viber messenger users can additionally protect their accounts with a PIN code and email. To activate two-step verification, users need to create a six-digit PIN and confirm their email address. PIN will then be required to sign in to Viber on a mobile device or PC. If you forget it, you will be able to sign back in using your verified email address. In addition, unauthorized users will not be able to deactivate your Viber account on a PC. Anyone attempting to deactivate a Viber account via desktop will need to use a PIN.
• Hide 'Seen' Status and 'Online' Status. Viber allows you to hide your message viewing status and your current status in the app. You can adjust the visibility of these parameters in the "Settings" of the messenger in the "Privacy" section.
• Disappearing Messages in private and group chats — The feature is available in private and group chats. With it, you can set a self-destruction timer for the selected message, and at the appointed time, the sent content will disappear. You can send messages, photos, videos, or other types of files in privacy mode and set the timer for 10 seconds, a minute, an hour, or a day. The automatic countdown to delete the message will start as soon as the recipient sees it. What's important: if your conversation partner or a member of a group chat makes a screenshot of such a message, Viber will notify you about it. To activate the option, you need to open the chat, click on the stopwatch icon on the bottom panel and select the time the message disappeared. 
• Message Requests. On Viber, invitations to join a group chat or a channel from unknown users are automatically placed in the Message Requests folder. The user can always "accept" the invitation, after which the chat will be moved to the screen of all chats. In Viber, this feature is enabled "by default". 
• Hidden Chats. Viber allows you to hide certain chats from the general chats list. You can access them only by entering a predefined PIN code. The function will be useful if the mobile device, on which the messenger is installed, is used by several people. To keep the chat out of sight on Android, you need to click a long press on the chat you want to hide and select the appropriate option. On iOS you need to "swipe" the message to the left and in the appearing list of actions select the option "Hide" and set the PIN code. 
• Viber screen lock code for the PC version. Viber allows you to set a PIN code on the desktop version of the application to prevent anyone from accessing a user's conversations in situations where other people have access to his or her computer (or, for example, if the user decides to secure his or her account on the work computer). To set a password, open Viber on your PC, click on the three dots in the top left corner of the window and select "Set Viber screen lock ". 
• Control Who Can Add You To Groups — The ability to limit the range of people who can add a user to groups.
• Don't show your photo to users who aren't in your contacts. You can make your profile picture invisible for other users in the messenger. To do this, disable the option in the Privacy settings of the application: section "More" — "Settings" — "Privacy" — disable the parameter "Show Your Photo".

Viber uses the highest security level for users by default. However, it is also important for users to comply with digital security rules. Do not send your card details (CVV code, PIN code), username and password from Internet banking, 3D Secure password, SMS password, even if they are requested by a person who introduced himself as a bank employee.