Hackers are everywhere: Here are 5 steps to protect yourself online
As the Philippines becomes more active in the digital space, hackers continue to advance their tactics to prey on financial institutions, government agencies, and regular Filipino consumers. But just how vulnerable the country is?
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| File photo: A smartphone with a pattern password |
Protect your data from hackers
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| Passwords are not enough |
According to the Global Data Breach statistics by cybersecurity firm Surfshark, the Philippines was the fifth country in Asia with the highest number of data breaches since two decades ago.
In the global arena, it was placed at 20th—an appalling information considering the study was conducted in 161 countries.
Since late last year, the current administration has been dealing with the so-called hacking spree of government agencies, including PhilHealth and the Philippine Statistics Authority. Attempted hacking was also recorded in other government units early this 2024.
Amid these cyber threats, the government was urged to further invest and beef up its defenses online. International think-tank Stratbase Institute previously said this should be part of the government’s priorities, with cyber criminals becoming more "cunning and sophisticated."
Several government officials, as well as organizations in the private sector, have been reminding the Filipino public to be vigilant when transacting online.
So how can you protect yourself from hackers' attempts to snatch your confidential information?
1. Don't post everything online - Be wary of making all your information—such as your whole name, birthday, and address—available on your social media pages, which can be visible to the public. These data can be used to attempt to access your financial accounts. Check your privacy settings and control who can see your posts.
2. Don't download mobile applications without scrutinizing their app permissions - You must pay attention before allowing them to access your information. Some apps in the market are now being used to phish or share data with third parties.
3. Recognize phishing scams - First, what is phishing? It is an illegal approach meant to deceive people into giving their personal information, especially financial data. If you receive a link, double-check if the URL is similar to the ones posted on the websites of your trusted companies. To avoid these scams, make sure to only transact with known institutions.
4. Update your devices and applications - Make sure that all the devices and applications you are using have the latest software. This would ensure that they are equipped with upgraded security features against vulnerabilities in cyberspace.
5. Pirated or illegal software should be a no-go - It was reported by Fox News in March that hackers now use pirated software to target Mac, Android, and Windows users. When you use illegal software, you are making yourself vulnerable to cyber criminals as they can easily penetrate the system.
If you happen to be a victim of a data breach or have encountered suspicious links, report these incidents to authorities and the National Telecommunications Commission.
A nationwide approach may be needed to curb these illegal attempts online, but making sure you are discerning online is already a huge step against cyber criminals.
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