The Philippine  Internet Users  Society Inc. (PIUS)  supports  the initiative  of  I-CAFÉ  Pilipinas, a newly-formed  organization,  on its  recent campaign called  “Huwag Kang  Sasagot,”  an advocacy  against  cyber criminals.

PIUS  Chief Executive  Officer  Michael M.  Alunan  welcomed  the advocacy  campaign  of  I-CAFÉ  led  by  its  National  Advocacy  Officer  Gener Luis Morada,  claiming  that  this  will  forewarn  the 24  million  Filipino  Internet  users  of the  threats  of  cyber-crime  operators  now  invading cunningly   the  homes  of internet users, even   into the privacy  of  their  computer  files.

“The  No. 1  cryber  crime  is  being  committed  through  spam mail, one of  which  is  the  popular  “Nigerian Spam Main” which entices people to let  go  of  their hard earned money with the promise of generous returns. Many  have already  fallen for this trap,”  says  Morada  who  represents  the interests  of  the  widely dispersed 8,000  internet  cafe owners and shop operators nationwide which I-CAFÉ aims to organize.
There are  also  spywares,  malwares  and Trojan  viruses  that  penetrate  and destroy  computer  files and  systems,  some  of  which even  copy  email  addresses  that are used  illegally  to  send  fictitious  messages  like asking for financial  help   to  friends  within the same  networks. A common message sent  from  an email  address coming  from one’s  directory shows supposedly a  friend, stranded  abroad  and  needing  immediate  financial  help. Many  fall  for this trap, Alunan  said.  

He also noted the  crimes  committed  related to  pornography  and  related crimes,  thus  PIUS supports  the intent  of  the  Anti-Child pornography bill. On its  provisions calling for  a  blanket  government  regulation that will adopt  filtering  softwares that will  block  in the country  the proliferation  of porn sites, Alunan said  that,  at this point, PIUS  welcomes the healthy  debates  on its  merits and demerits,  including exploring  other alternative  but  equally effective  enforcement measures. Personally, there  is  legitimacy in the concern that  a  blanket  blocking software  may  be abused to  a  point  it may result  in  censorship, similar  to  what is done in China and some Muslim countries, which  may transgress basic rights  such as  press freedom and free speech, particularly  on legitimate free  flow  of  ideas.  

Morada said he has sought the support  of  the Commission on Information and Communication Technology  (COCT)  in  a  recent  consultative  meeting  with  CICT  Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim of the Cyber Services Group.

He admitted that because the Internet is a free world, where billions or trillions  of messages are communicated daily, which  even government  could hardly monitor, the only viable and effective  solution is  informing  Internet users about  the hazards and dangers  of  recklessly  opening  suspicious  spam  emails.

Morada  said they will encourage  all  internet  shops to  put up signs  giving  warnings to their  internet users.  He stressed,  however,  that  Internet café owners can only do so much  in pushing  its  awareness campaign.

Alunan agrees  with Morada  and declared  that “the  ultimate decision  will really  come  from the Internet user himself  who decides  whether to open and entertain  a  suspicious email  or message.”  He added that  PIUS  deeply  supports  the  appeal  and advocacy  of   I-CAFÉ,  claiming  PIUS will encourage  all  its  member  organizations  to also push  the  same  advocacy, at least in  their  respective websites.

As tips  to Internet users,   Morada  advised the  following:

1. Don’t ever respond   to  email  messages  offering  surprise  rewards, or seeking help  to facilitae  the transfer  of   bank deposits that  were  left  behind  by   a deceased depositor  without relatives;
2. Stop  sending  Chain  Email  messages,  some  may  even contain religious  messages,  or  the proverbial  wolves in sheep’s clothing.  This is actually  one strategy  where  unscrupulous  cyber criminals  get  your email addresses;
3. When your Email and Internet Messenger  accounts seem  corrupted, change  passwords.
4. Above all,  when it  doubt,   “Huwag Kang SaSaGot!”  (Don’t respond).