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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 provides an alternative route to a BEng degree

2014-06-04

Mr Louis Lagrange
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

The university is very excited about the establishment of a new study field at Kovsies – a BSc degree with majors in Physics and Engineering subjects. The course is presented in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Project EnSci was established at the UFS at the beginning of 2014. Twelve first-years and four second-years enrolled for the course this year.

“We replace the non-core Physics subjects with Engineering subjects. We also present all specialist Engineering subjects ourselves,” says Louis Lagrange, project manager of Projec EnSci – Engineering Science.

“There isn’t enough space at universities in South Africa to accommodate all students who are interested in engineering. The UFS course can thus be considered a fundamental engineering course. It equips a student in such a way that they will be able to specialise in various disciplines,” he says.

After completion of the three-year BSc degree at the UFS, students may choose to:

• graduate with a BSc degree majoring in Physics and Engineering subjects and enter the professional world.
• study further for an honours, master’s or doctoral degree in Physics.
• apply to register for a second degree – BEng or BScEng (for two additional years) at another university recognising the BSc degree with majors in Physics and Engineering Science. Acceptance is subject to certain requirements.

Matriculants interested in this field, must follow the application procedure of the UFS before 30 September 2014 and achieve the following in the final NSC or equivalent examination:

• an AP score of 34 or more is strongly recommended,
• cumulative AP score of 13 or more in Mathematics and Physical Science,
• completion of NBT tests and
• language of instruction – 4 or more.

These prospective students also need to complete and submit an application form. For more information contact us at engineeringsubjects@ufs.ac.za

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