Acmilah M. Macabuat, cybersecurity focal person of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-10, discusses the initiatives laid out by DICT-10 in the fight against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children. (Photo: DCC/PIA-10)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — With online threats and cybercrimes on the rise, the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT)-10 emphasized the importance of verifying information found on the internet.
Cybersecurity focal person Acmilah M. Macabuat emphasized that modern crimes do not require physical presence. “Anyone can access your information online, which can be used for cyberbullying, data theft, and online scams,” she said.
Macabuat explained that in the past, deception required physical interaction. However, with the rise of messaging apps, unsafe activities are now more common online.
She gave an example where a trusted relative might request money and stressed the need to verify whether the request is legitimate or if the account has been compromised. “Trust, but verify,” she advised.
To avoid unsafe websites, Macabuat recommended checking URLs. She said secure websites use “https” instead of “http,” indicating encrypted communication.
Users should also verify the spelling of website addresses to avoid falling for sites that imitate reputable companies.
“Search for websites through trusted search engines, and if something is too good to be true, it is probably a scam,” Macabuat cautioned.
She further stressed the need for users to stay updated with technological developments and best practices.
Cybersecurity support
DICT-10 extends support to government agencies with limited resources to address cybersecurity threats by providing training for computer emergency response teams.
“As of now, other government agencies do not have the capacity, and that is where DICT comes in. We provide the capacity to ensure that government agencies are aware of cyber threats. If they need assistance, we are here to help and refer them to the central office,” she explained.
DICT-10 is also tackling online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) by supplying resources and modules for local governments and agencies focused on prevention.
“Our focus in the region is on prevention. Together with local government units, we are intensifying campaigns against OSAEC,” Macabuat added.
