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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

UFS awaits applications for a full scholarship

2013-01-07

The office of the Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, offers a full scholarship to one learner to study at the UFS in 2013.

This scholarship will cover the tuition, residence, stationery and any specified course-related costs.

All students who are passionate about education and wish to contribute towards developing the South African education system, are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. The student may choose which education course he/ she would like to study and will be advised by our Dean of Education, Prof. Dennis Francis.

The scholarship is a continuation of the Great Teachers Project headed by Prof. Jansen and research assistants, Nangamso Koza and Lihlumelo Toyana, who edited the book, Great South African Teachers.

The editors have decided to donate the proceeds from the book towards the scholarship, and in partnership with our Faculty of Education, produce the country’s best teachers.

This scholarship will also look at the holistic development of the learner, and thus award him/her with experiences of shadowing some of the country’s best educators, and take up internships in some of the country’s best schools in both the urban and developing communities.

To apply, learners should provide their June and December gr. 12 results and also write an essay of 1 000 words titled: Educating a South African Citizen in the 20th Century.

Applications must reach the UFS before 11 January 2013.
Please forward applications to: greatteachers@ufs.ac.za or fax to (051) 401 2705. Applications can also be mailed to: Office No. 26, Main Building, UFS, Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein 9301

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