Econet Wireless has urged mobile users to strengthen the security of their WhatsApp accounts amid growing concerns over hackers and social engineering scams.
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Read E-PaperThe warning comes as WhatsApp users in different parts of the world, including Zimbabwe, report unexpected account logouts and difficulties logging back in.
The disruptions have raised concerns among users who rely on the platform for personal communication, business transactions and sharing important information.
WhatsApp has become an important tool for businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals, with many users depending on it to communicate with customers, share documents and manage daily activities.
Losing access to an account can therefore disrupt business operations and limit access to important conversations and information.
Econet has advised customers to remain vigilant and take steps to protect their accounts against unauthorised access.
Users are encouraged to keep their WhatsApp verification codes private and avoid sharing them with anyone, even if the person claims to be a trusted contact or a company representative.
They should also activate two-step verification, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a PIN when registering their phone number on WhatsApp.
Users are further advised to be cautious of suspicious messages, links and calls from people attempting to trick them into revealing personal information or account details.
The social engineering scams often involve criminals impersonating trusted individuals or organisations to persuade victims to share security codes or other sensitive information.
WhatsApp users experiencing unexpected logouts should follow the platform’s official account recovery process and avoid sharing verification codes with third parties.
While the reported disruptions have raised concerns, the cause of the widespread logouts has not been established in the information available. It is therefore unclear whether the incidents are linked to a single technical problem or separate account security issues.
Users have been urged to take precautionary measures to safeguard their accounts and reduce the risk of losing access to their personal and business communications.
