CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has reminded the public about the risks of sharing personal information on social media, aiming to prevent online scams, phishing attacks, and other forms of cyber fraud.
During the Philippine Information Agency Calabarzon’s Usapang PIA radio program, DICT Laguna Provincial Office Cybersecurity Focal Ruth Antonette Mores emphasized the importance of protecting sensitive personal details, such as birthdates, addresses, contact numbers, and financial information, which may be exploited for unscrupulous activities.
“The common online threats that netizens face include hacking of their social media accounts and online identity theft. This is why we urge the public not to share excessive information on social media; over-sharing provides hackers with enough details to commit identity theft,” Mores said
Mores added that, as social media becomes an integral part of daily life, many users unknowingly expose themselves to cyber threats by oversharing personal data. She noted that hackers and cybercriminals exploit this information for identity theft, account hacking, and fraudulent transactions.
Mores highlighted that cybercriminals often employ tactics such as phishing, where attackers disguise themselves as legitimate entities to deceive individuals into revealing personal information.
“These attacks usually come in the form of fake emails, direct messages, or links that appear to originate from trusted sources. Once this information is obtained, it can be used to access social media profiles, email accounts, or even banking information,” Mores explained.
In response to this cybersecurity concern, the DICT is launching a public awareness campaign featuring webinars, infographics, and advisories aimed at educating the public about cybersecurity. These initiatives are part of the government’s effort to create a safer online environment for all Filipinos in celebration of the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October.
Mores elaborated: “We are continuously conducting seminars and training sessions for various sectors of our community, including schools, local governments, and private companies. These programs aim to provide accurate knowledge about cybersecurity threats and how to avoid them. We also train local government units (LGUs) and other organizations on using the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) to enhance the security of their digital transactions.”
The DICT Laguna Provincial Office encourages individuals to report any suspected cybercrime activity to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) through its hotline number 1-3-2-6 or their online platforms. This will aid the government in tracking down cybercriminals and ensuring the safety of online users. (AM/PIA-4A)
Usapang PIA is a weekly radio program hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Laguna. It airs every Friday from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM on DZJV 1458 kHz Radyo Calabarzon and is streamed live on the Philippine Information Agency CALABARZON and PIA Laguna Facebook pages.
