Statistics demonstrate that the more time spent online, the more vulnerable one gets. Filipinos spend an average of nine hours every day on the internet, including 3.75 hours perusing through social media. Every time someone goes online, their information is left vulnerable to hackers intent on obtaining and exploiting data for their own advantage.
According to a study, 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent daily (1 in every 4,200 emails is a phishing scam). In 2022 alone, there were 5.7 million reports of fraud and identity theft worldwide – with consumers losing $8.8 billion to identity theft.
When people click on links – even those that seem legit, most especially when sent by friends – malware can find its way into their laptops and their information may be exploited. This can result in data breaches that compromise personal information, including usernames, passwords, bank accounts, medical records, and other sensitive data – further leading to identity theft, financial fraud, and other damages once malicious hackers take control over anyone’s accounts.
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| Men on a mission (L-R): Questronix President Mike Dionisio, PLDT SVP and Head of Consumer Business Home, and Kaspersky Co-Founder and CEO |
The PLDT Group doesn’t treat this as new information, in fact, it has been investing billions of pesos to safeguard its customers from cyberthreats. As a result, in 2023, the company prevented 478 million SMShing messages from reaching PLDT and Smart customers and blocked more than 28 billion attempts at accessing malicious domains.
This year, the Philippines’ leading digital services provider PLDT Home levels up its cybersecurity efforts as it partners with premier global cybersecurity company Kaspersky. Starting June 2024, PLDT Home will grant a complimentary 24-month Kaspersky Premium Security license good for three (3) personal devices per active Fiber subscriber.
“When cybercriminals attack individuals, the inconvenience, financial loss, and potential embarrassment can be endless. That is why we believe that cybersecurity education and protection should start at home,” said Jeremiah de la Cruz, PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business - Home. “This partnership with Kaspersky allows our customers to gain another level of protection at home while enjoying the benefits of fast and reliable connectivity to enrich their lifestyle.”
Strengthened commitment to cybersecurity
Sixty-seven percent of Filipinos know about the importance of installing endpoint security apps, but only two out of every 10 Filipinos have one installed. Through this partnership with PLDT Home, customers will now have access to Kaspersky Premium Security, the brand’s “ultimate plan” – designed with award-winning antivirus, privacy and identity protection, performance boost, and other benefits such as unlimited VPN and password manager.
Kaspersky Premium Security employs a multilayered approach to cybersecurity, combining signature-based detection, heuristic analysis, behavioral monitoring, web protection, and automatic updates to provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of malware threats, helping secure customers’ devices from cyber threats. In 2022, Kaspersky blocked 52,914 financial phishing incidents in the Philippines.
Kaspersky Premium Security also provides real-time protection while devices are connected to the internet 24/7. It scans all files that are opened, saved, or launched on the computer and all connected drives, as well as incoming and outgoing email messages. It also intercepts and blocks the execution of scripts on websites if they pose a threat; and monitors all web traffic and blocks access to dangerous websites. It also protects the customers’ data when connected to unsecured Wi-Fi networks. It also enables users to remotely manage their computer from the My Kaspersky website.
Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky added: “The Philippines has been one of the countries with the highest number of online attacks detected and blocked by our experts since 2021. Our partnership with PLDT Home is a new step toward the Philippines’ cybersecurity, combining the expertise of a trusted and leading digital provider with our experience and advanced security solutions. Together, we are committed to enhancing digital safety and helping Filipinos navigate the online world with confidence, bringing on a safer future for their homes."
With the availability of Kaspersky Premium Security to all Fiber customers, PLDT Home helps Filipino homes mitigate online risks and fight against cybercriminals while enjoying the online world.
To know more about Kaspersky Premium Security available through PLDT Home, visit https://pldthome.com/.
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