PLDT, Smart no letup on anti-smishing campaign, backs gov't digitalization

CEBU CITY – The PLDT, Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) continue to clamp down on malicious text messages by going after internet links that aim to defraud customers and is supporting the government's push to digitalize the Philippines.

PLDT and Smart are not letting up on the anti-smishing campaign through their Cybersecurity Operations Group (CSOG) has blocked from June 10-to 18, 2022, more than 100 URLs and domains tied to text scams bringing the total links blocked to 650 in the first half of 2022.

Angel Redoble, First Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer said, apart from blocking malicious text messages and SIMs, PLDT and Smart are also clamping down on URLs or domains that are often linked to ‘smishing’ activities.

“This adds another layer of protection for our customers and prevents access to these sites that target their personal data. The CSOG team explains that the internet is made up of three layers. The first layer is called the surface layer, is any site accessible to anyone. This constitutes about 10 percent of the internet,” Redoble bared.

‘Smishing’ or SMS phishing is a form of social engineering done through text messages that deceive customers into thinking that these messages were sent by banks, recruitment agencies, tour operators and other companies. These messages contain links to websites that lure victims into revealing their personal information, Redoble explained.

Samples of 'smishing' texts

Below the surface layer is the deep web which houses exclusive sites for specific groups or subscriptions that require login credentials. Hidden in the deep web and making up a small fraction of it, is the dark web which is a hotbed for illegal activities, Redoble added.

He said, the dark web does not appear on search engines and needs a special browser to be accessed, 90 percent of the internet is believed to be made up of the deep web and the dark web.

“Most phishing sites are tucked in the deep web. When cyber criminals have acquired the victim’s personal data, they use this to access the victim’s bank accounts or trade them in the dark web,” Redoble explained. 

He revealed that PLDT and Smart have been fortifying their cybersecurity infrastructure, investing nearly three billion pesos in 2021, to safeguard the public against emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities, including online fraud and other criminal activities.

The efforts of PLDT and Smart to detect and block malicious messages, including SIMs and websites tied to fraudulent activities are fundamental to the PLDT Group’s much broader program to elevate the quality of customer experience by protecting them from threats and attacks, Redoble stated.

Meanwhile, PLDT, Inc. continues to improve its availability and performance of digital services in the country by collaborating with the government in hastening its digital transformation to boost the country’s digital infrastructure.

Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT President and CEO cited PLDT’s investments in data centers like Vitro Sta Rosa and on international gateways like the Jupiter cble system that create the right infrastructure that will propel the Philippines’ digital transformation.

"These world-class infrastructures will build and drive the hyperscale ecosystem, which is a key economic ambition of the country.  We are committed to work with both public and private sectors to empower Filipinos with digital innovations that unlock and share their infinite potential," Panlilio added.

PLDT’s commitment to support the country's digital transformation is seen through its sustained investment in network-related initiatives that made up the bulk of the ₱89 billion spent for 2021, that brings PLDT’s total capex spent over the last 10 years to ₱518.5 billion.  Capex guidance for 2022 is at ₱85 billion, Panlilio bared. (Photos: PLDT FB/Google Images)