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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

Anglo Boer War: Book launched
2005-10-10

During the year end function of the Kovsie-Alumni Trust of the University of the Free State (UFS) this weekend, a book titled "Riders in the Night" written by Mr John Dyer, was launched.  The book deals with facets of the Anglo Boer War. Mr Dyer is an internationally recognised person in the world of conservation and a connoisseur of  African nature. Half of the South African sales of the book will be donated by Mr Dyer to the Kovsie-Alumni Trust.

 

 

From left Mrs Frances Hoexter, Mr John Dyer, Prof Leo Barnard (head  of the UFS Department of History), Judge Faan Hancke (chairperson of the UFS Council) and prof Frederick Fourie, (rector and vice-chancellor of the UFS).     

 

Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Strategic Communication Division
University of the Free State
PO Box 339
BLOEMFONTEIN, 9300
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Fax: (051) 444-6393
 

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