WhatsApp has finally added two-step verification in the latest beta versions of Android and Windows Phone apps. This adds more security to your account, says WhatsApp. When you have two-step verification enabled, any attempt to verify your phone number on WhatsApp must be accompanied by the six-digit passcode that you created using this feature.
You can also optionally add email address to your account which will be used to reset your passcode if you forget it and safeguard your account. But WhatsApp says that it does not verify this email address to confirm its accuracy so it is recommend you provide an accurate email address so that you’re not locked out of your account if you forget your passcode.
You can enable two-step verification by heading to Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable.
Regarding the two-step verification, WhatsApp on the official site said:
If you have two-step verification enabled, your number will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp without your passcode. Thus, if you forget your own passcode, but did not provide an email to disable two-step verification, even you will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp. After these 7 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. 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.