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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Globe blocks 32.2M scam texts in 2 weeks

Globe blocks 32.2M scam texts in 2 weeks

Published Oct 24, 2022 10:15 am

Globe Telecom Inc. blocked over 32.2 million scam and spam text messages with clickable links in just two weeks after enforcing its measure against all person-to-person Short Message Services (SMS) with Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), or web addresses.

The figure covers September 28, when the telco started enforcing the measure, until October 13.

This means Globe blocked an average of 2.4 million SMS with clickable links every day within that period.

Overall, the telco has blocked a total of 1.3 billion spam and scam messages from January to September, 2022.

“The amount of text messages with clickable links we blocked within just two weeks shows the staggering number of spam and scam SMS that disrupt and threaten customers every day," stressed Anton Bonifacio, Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer.

"This is empirical proof that our security measure was warranted,” he maintained.

Globe started blocking SMS with clickable URLs in the last week of September in response to growing concern over escalating spam and scam messages, particularly those containing mobile users’ full names.

The measure was a first in the industry, making Globe the first and only telco proactively blocking all person-to-person SMS with clickable links.

It will remain in effect until the SIM Registration Act is implemented.

Globe blocks 32_2 million SMS with clickable links in 2 weeks

Meanwhile, Globe's total of 1.3 billion blocked spam and scam messages in the first nine months of 2022 has exceeded its 2021 full year (January to December) total of 1.15 billion.

The monthly total of blocked SMS has also seen a steep rise of 295.74 percent over 9 months, from 68.34 million in January to 270.5 million in September.

Under Globe's new security measure, all person-to-person SMS with clickable links from all networks are blocked.

This has forced fraudsters to find new ways to craft their scam messages, showing that the blocking measure has been effective.

“We reiterate our call on our customers to remain vigilant as fraudsters will continue to find ways to circumvent measures that aim to thwart them. Do not engage with SMS from anonymous sources making enticing offers,” Bonifacio warned.

Todate, Globe has spent $20 million or P1.1 billion to step up its spam and scam SMS detection and blocking system.

Its Security Operations Center works round-the-clock to filter out unwanted messages, including app-to-person and person-to-person SMS of international and domestic sources.

Globe also arms customers with know-how to better protect themselves.

Earlier this year, it released an instructional video on Facebook to teach Android users how to install spam filters on their devices.

Its Digital Thumbprint Program offers free e-modules on workshops where students, teachers and parents can learn how to be responsible digital citizens.

Globe also continues to operate its #StopSpam portal, where customers may report spam and scam messages they receive.

Customer reporting helps Globe block more sources of spam and scam messages and contributes to the decline of these unwanted messages.

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