By Catherine Cueto
 
PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications on Sunday advised their customers to practice caution in accessing sites so as not to fall prey to cybercriminals.

“Criminals can make it look like you’re downloading a legitimate program. But hidden in the software are viruses, Trojan files, or malicious codes that can invade your device, steal valuable data or wreak havoc in your device’s system,” warned Angel Redoble, FVP and Chief Information Security Officer of PLDT and Smart.
 
Redoble said digital technology now ingrained itself into the daily lives of every Filipino, proof of this are the numerous applications that are run on the smartphones or laptops to help with work, school, household tasks or personal endeavors.

“At some point, we will find ourselves installing a software to aid us in our everyday activities. But how do we ensure that we are only adding applications that are safe to use?” he said.

Thus, PLDT and Smart’s Cyber Security Operations Group (CSOG) shares tips on how to prevent malwares from invading your devices.

Make sure you are installing a reliable software. Read reviews about it. Listen to what experts say about it. Learn from the experience of actual users.

First, check the developer of the program. Is the company reputable? The internet is a good source of information that can help you check the legitimacy of a developer.

“If it ticks all the boxes, download the software from trusted sources. Most often, your operation system developer’s app store is the safest platform to get these tools from,” Redoble said.

When installing, before proceeding with the installation, read through the permission the software is requesting to find out what features of your device it will access once installed. As much as possible, grant the bare minimum permission for the program to adequately run on your device.

PLDT and Smart also encourage customers to update the software regularly to ensure that the latest security features are installed.

Finally, remove apps you rarely use or no longer need or those that have become obsolete. Not only will it free up your device’s storage, it will also eliminate vulnerable entry points to your device, and ultimately to your data. Catherine Cueto