NCC urges WhatsApp users to activate 2FA
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
WhatsApp users have been counselled by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to take steps to block criminals from hacking their data on the popular social media platform.
A statement issued by NCC Director of Public Affairs Reuben Muoka listed two major steps to be taken to ward off hackers.
The NCC in an advisory through its Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) recommended WhatsApp users “set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to avoid falling victim to account takeover by hackers.”
The advisory noted the messaging app, owned by Meta, is increasingly becoming a prime target for hackers and scammers looking for ways to gain unauthorised access to users’ accounts.
It described 2FA as an identity and access management security method that requires two forms of identification to access resources and data.
“In the world of messaging apps, one of the most popular and recognizable is WhatsApp. WhatsApp is 100 percent free to use, has a great mobile app, and supports audio and video calls,” the advisory said.
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Importance of 2FA
“Whether you rely on WhatsApp for all your messaging needs or just use it from time to time, it is recommended to set it up with two-factor authentication (2FA), the advisory stressed, per The Nation.
“With this enabled, you will need to enter a custom PIN every time you log in to WhatsApp from a new device, adding an extra layer of security to your account.
“2FA gives businesses or people the ability to monitor and help safeguard their most vulnerable information and networks. The 2FA is important because it prevents cybercriminals from stealing, destroying, or accessing your internal data records for their own use”.
“WhatsApp provides two-factor authentication so you can further secure your account using a PIN. It is an optional feature that adds more security to your WhatsApp account, so it is recommended that everyone installs 2FA.”
Steps to enable 2FA
The CSIRT listed ten steps to enable 2FA on WhatsApp, which include:
- “Open WhatsApp
- “Tap Settings
- “Tap Account
- “Tap Two-Step Verification
- “Tap Enable
- “Enter the Six-Digit PIN you wish to use
- “Tap Next, then enter it a second time to confirm it
- “Tap Next
- “Add an email address for extra security (this step is optional but it is an extra way to retrieve your account if you forget your PIN)
- “Then Tap Next
“For those concerned that their PIN might have been compromised or is easy to guess, they can change their WhatsApp PIN or email address by tapping settings.
“Two-Step Verification, tapping Change PIN or Change Email Address, Entering a new PIN or email address, and then tapping ‘next’ to effect the necessary changes.
“The CSIRT is the telecom sector’s cyber security incidence centre set up by the NCC to focus on incidents in the telecom sector and as they may affect telecom consumers and citizens at large.”