Government offices vulnerable to cyberattacks – NorMin cyber cop chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 29, 2024): Government offices vulnerable to cyberattacks – NorMin cyber cop chief (By Nef Luczon)

Anti-Cybercrime Unit, Philippine National Police-10, Cagayan de Oro City. (PNA file photo by Nef Luczon)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The chief of the Northern Mindanao Police Regional Anti-Cybersecurity Unit (RACU-10) warned on Monday that even personnel and government offices are vulnerable to cyberattacks.

RACU-10 chief Col. Lemuel Gonda said the caution "think before you click" must be remembered when using gadgets or devices that are connected to the internet.

"We have victims of (online) financial fraud who are members of the banking (and) financial institutions. They are frequently reminded about cybersecurity, how much more ordinary people and those in government offices?" he said in a statement.

Gonda warned that "black hat" hackers, who uses ransomware and malware to penetrate a system, can obtain sensitive information of online users, including banking and financial transactions.

One of the common methods used by hackers is "social engineering," which involves tricking unsuspecting victims into providing sensitive information.

Other than dubious internet links, Gonda warns of free Wi-Fi and charging stations in the public, as these are also vulnerable to cyberattacks.

"The hackers will not stop. Even all your details, name, address, friends, how you call them, they will imitate that," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217806