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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

University ready for 2013 registration process
2012-12-05

16 November 2012

Thousands of new first-year students are expected at the University of the Free State (UFS) in January 2013 and the University is ready to receive them. Everything is in place to allow the registration process to run smoothly for new, as well as senior students.

As in previous years, the Callie Human Centre will be the central point during the registration process. Students will get advice on registration, admission, academic programmes, class fees, residences and other information there.

New first-year students and their parents or guardians will be welcomed on the Qwaqwa Campus on 18 January 2013 and on the Bloemfontein Campus on 19 January 2013 by Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector. Four sessions are scheduled in which Prof. Jansen will spend time with new students of the different faculties on the Bloemfontein Campus. New first-year students will register from 21 to 25 January 2013.

Registration for senior students will commence on 14 January 2013. Those who do not live in university residences register from 14 to18 January 2013, while students who live in residences can register from 28 to 31 January 2013.

For further enquiries, contact the UFS Information Office on 051 401 3000. For more information on the registration process, visit our webpage and click on the heading More about us.

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