Online safety 101: 7 ways to stay safe on the internet
By Sonny Daanoy
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Cybersecurity issued tips for the public on Wednesday, Feb. 7, to ensure a safer cyberspace.
This initiative aimed to be disseminated after various cyberattacks targeted agencies, specifically the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) domain.
In a social media post, DICT-Cybersecurity shared seven tips for the public to enhance their personal cyber postures and safeguard against cyber perpetrators.
DICT-recommended tips
The agency urged the public to "use strong passwords" for their online accounts to enhance cybersecurity.
It advised that the password should be "a complex, unique phrase, as it protects your data better than predictable words or birthdays."
The agency also emphasized to cyberspace users to "beware of ads" and "never click on suspicious links."
DICT-Cybersecurity warned the public about online advertisements, urging caution before clicking, as it could lead to encountering malware, counterfeit websites, or unintended purchases. They also advised users to "avoid suspicious links that might steal your data or unleash malware."
Moreover, the country's ICT department reminded the public to "secure payments only," "only connect to trusted networks," and "only use trusted apps" when entering cyberspace.
Furthermore, the DICT reminds the public to "always check the URL (Uniform Resource Locator)," double-checking for misspellings, strange symbols, or unexpected domains.
Thwarting cyber attacks
On Feb. 3, the DICT confirmed that they successfully thwarted a cyber attempt targeting the OWWA domain.
The agency emphasized that the IP address of the perpetrators was traced back using the state-owned Chinese Telecommunication Company, "Unicom.”
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/5/we-are-safe-dict-assures-public-cybersafety-after-recent-hacking-attempts
However, the DICT assured the public of the cybersecurity measures in place despite the recent cyberattacks.
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