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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

Live a drug free life

2009-05-18

Rev. Ruben Sokana

Our university strives to be a robust university in all aspects, including the well-being of its staff and students. Recently Selloane Phoofolo, Social Worker on our Qwaqwa Campus hosted a drug awareness campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of a healthy life style. Also included on the programme was discussion on how to equip students with the skills and support necessary to make informed decisions about their health, personal lives and social development and encourage and enable those persons who are dependent on drugs to avail of treatment with the aim of reducing dependency and improving overall health and social well being.

Speaking at this occasion were Rev. Ruben Sokana from the Anti- Drug and Alcohol Abuse Forum (Adaaf), Captain Buti John Ramoshebi and Inspector Gysbert Du Plessis from the South African Police Service, Phuthaditjhaba (Dog Unit).

Rev. Ruben addressed the students about the dangers of drug abuse. He indicated that drug abuse is a major contributor to crime, poverty, reduced productivity, unemployment, dysfunctional family life, political instability, the escalation of chronic diseases such as Aids and Tuberculosis (TB), injury and premature death.

Captain Buti John and Inspector Gysbert had a discussion about the different types of drugs and the effects thereof. Amongst others they discussed sedatives, stimulants, and LCD.

For those staff members and students who were still not sure about the dangers of drug abuse, Thabo Moloi, a recovered drug addict shared his story of the struggle with a drug addiction. He strongly advised students and staff members to live a drug-free life.

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