PLDT, Smart block 1.5 billion attempts on opening malicious domains in January, reinforcing safer spaces online

PLDT and wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. remain relentless in protecting customers against cyber-attacks. PLDT and Smart’s Cyber Security Operations Group (CSOG) prevented 1.5 billion attempts to open malicious domains in January. The group also repelled more than 32 million cyber-attacks and attempts to breach PLDT and Smart’s digital infrastructure. 

“PLDT and Smart’s cyber warriors keep a close watch on emerging threats. As attackers get sophisticated, we are keeping a step ahead of them to strengthen our cyber defenses and address potential vulnerabilities,” said Angel Redoble, FVP, and Chief Information Security Officer at PLDT and Smart.  

 

In support of government efforts to curb the proliferation of text scams and other mobile phone-aided criminal activities like the mandated SIM card registration, PLDT, and Smart also prevented more than 3 million fraudulent messages from reaching customers in January. To further protect the public from text scams, Smart also blocked more than 20,000 mobile numbers involved in phishing, SMShing, and Vishing activities in the first month of 2023.  

PLDT and Smart continue to create a safe digital space for children. In January, the Group’s pioneering Child Protection Platform blocked more than 200,000 attempts to open uniform resource locators (URL) that host child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM). Thanks to PLDT and Smart’s membership with the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation and Project Arachnid of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, as well as their close collaboration with like-minded non-profit organizations and government agencies, the platform has blacklisted more than 600,000 domains linked to CSAEM from the PLDT Group’s network.  

  

PLDT and Smart’s initiatives to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure is grounded in their customer-centric ideology that aims to deliver meaningful connections and experiences for their customers to live a fuller life.  

  

This customer obsession drives the two companies to beef up their digital infrastructure as part of a broader effort to elevate the Filipinos’ experience by keeping customers, especially children and the country safe from threats and attacks. These initiatives highlight the Group’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG No. 9 on Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG No. 16 on ending the abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.