Information Officers from different government agencies in MIMAROPA and media practitioners in Oriental Mindoro underwent Cybercrime Security Orientation during the 3rd MIMAROPA Communicators Network meeting held recently in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
Danreb L. Polinag from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) MIMAROPA, who led the discussion, reported that the number of internet users increases yearly.
Consequently, the number of cyber criminals and cybercrimes increases as well, he said.
Polinag discussed different methods in doing cybercrimes, namely phishing, vishing, and identity theft, where criminals hack their victims’ personal information, IDs, and passwords.
He encouraged the use of two-factor authentication and to avoid using common passwords to buffer cybersecurity.
Moreover, he warned the public not to give a one-time PIN (OTP) to other people or click on suspicious links sent through emails or text messages as it can be used by criminals to hack information.
He explained that the elderly and children are more vulnerable to identity theft and scams.
Also, parents are encouraged to be careful in posting photos of their children online as it can be used by criminals for child pornography.
Hancy Mayoralgo, a media practitioner from KALAHI FM, said that capacitating the media people on cybersecurity can amplify information dissemination on the matter.
“Makakatulong siya kasi syempre…kung kami malilinawan, mas mae-explain namin nang ayos doon sa listeners namin at mas mapapaabot namin yung mga kailangan talagang information lalong-lalo na sa cyber security. kasi lahat tayo ay maaari nang makaranas nitong cyber, yung mga pabibreach ng cybersecurity na to kasi nga halos lahat naman tayo talaga ay nasa internet na,” Mayoralgo said.
Lorraine Arreza from DOLE MIMAROPA shared that the training is timely, as there are instances where fake information about government programs easily circulates online, misleading people.
“So ito pong mga ganito pong klase ng advocacy o information dissemination ay napaka-helpful po hindi lang para sa aming mga info officers and hopefully ma-disseminate din siya sa pubic kasi po through this information dissemination campaigns po natutulungan tayo on how to check, validate, and verify and check the veracity of information especially po posted online kasi po kapag posted online napakalaki na po ng reach niya,” she said.
The DICT reminds the public to be careful with their internet activities as their digital footprints may be used for cyber crimes.
Polinag advised the public to seek guidance from PIA or DICT whenever they receive suspicious texts or emails to avoid becoming prey to cyber criminals. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA-Occidental Mindoro)
