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Don’t get hacked; protect your WhatsApp account

08 October 2020 Photo Istock

Whatsapp security — It is important to be safe when using WhatsApp. Do not leave your phone unattended when you are not close by.

There are 2 billion WhatsApp users in the world, and 1,6 billion WhatsApp users access their accounts on a daily basis.

However, it is important to also be safe when using this popular communication tool.

According to Cobus van Jaarsveld, Assistant Director: Threat Detection, Investigations and Liaison in Protection Services, it does happen that people’s WhatsApp accounts get hacked; this is a serious violation of privacy.

“It means a third party now has unlimited access to your personal chats, information, media – and in some instances, they can also masquerade as you by deleting your chats, replying to your chats, and committing crimes. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of how harmful it can be to get hacked,” says Van Jaarsveld.

He adds: “Hackers can access your WhatsApp data by various means, e.g. via WhatsApp web or registering your number on another device.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) provided the following tips to prevent one’s WhatsApp from getting hacked:

• Log out from all computers that you see in the list under WhatsApp Web. This will stop hackers from further reading your chats. However, this should be done every time you use WhatsApp web.
• Do not leave your phone unattended when you are out.
• Lock all your apps to prevent unknown people from accessing your apps.
• Do not connect your phone to unknown Wi-Fi connections, as hackers can also use the unique MAC address to access all your WhatsApp chats.
• In case your WhatsApp has already been hacked, deactivate your account by emailing support@whatsapp.com. Your account will be automatically deleted if not accessed for 30 days.
• Enable two-step verification under your WhatsApp account settings. This will add an extra layer of security to the app.
• Lock WhatsApp. It is imperative to have the AppLocker that will help you lock your WhatsApp. While WhatsApp does not offer this application per se, you can download it and the app will facilitate the use of your WhatsApp with a password or PIN. This will help to prevent anyone who has access to your phone from accessing your WhatsApp account, since they will require a password to open it.

News Archive

Shining as bright as her crown

2017-05-31

Description:Prudence Mahlaba first Black Rag Queen Tags: Prudence Mahlaba first Black Rag Queen

The radiant beauty, Prudence
Mahlaba, during a photoshoot
for her #PeopleOfKovsies billboard.
Photo: Sonia Small

The bubbly personality of Prudence Mahlaba gave us a peep into her life. Many may have seen her face on the latest billboard by the main gate of the Bloemfontein Campus, but today we take a look at the person behind the crown.

“I am a kind-hearted person. What you see, is what you get, no matter how bad a day I am having,” says Prudence Mahlaba, the first Black Rag Queen in the history of Kovsies.

Aspiring lawyer a role model for others

This fourth-year LLB student and residence committee member of Akasia, says she always presents her true self. “You are someone else’s role model, so you have to be affirmative.”

“I don’t say that I wanted to do it, but I did achieve to become the first black Rag Queen ever,” she says. Prudence knew that she would make a positive impact and achieve great things. She also hopes to travel as soon as she gets the opportunity. Her relationship with God provides her with a healthy lifestyle, and she confesses that she hardly ever sees the inside of a gym. She spends most of her free time on YouTube watching reality shows.

Empowerment of women important

“Seeing a person, especially a young woman, who is broken and lost, causes me stress and anxiety.” She believes in the empowerment of young women.

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