Priya Patel
TLDR: Philippines Pummeled by Cyberattacks & Misinformation Tied to China
Key Points:
- The Philippines experienced a 400% increase in cyber attacks in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
- Resecurity researchers traced the attacks back to online infrastructures in China and Vietnam.
Philippines Pummeled by Cyberattacks & Misinformation Tied to China
A recent surge in cyber misinformation and hacking campaigns aimed at the Philippines has been linked to tensions between the country and China. The attacks, which include hack and leak, denial-of-service, and misinformation campaigns, target government and educational institutions in the Philippines, resulting in discontent in the country. The attacks have been traced back to online infrastructures in China and Vietnam. Cybersecurity experts believe that nation-state actors from China or North Korea are behind the attacks, rather than independent hacktivists. The escalating cyber threats have prompted the US, Japan, and the Philippines to form a cyber threat-sharing arrangement to combat attacks from nations like China, North Korea, and Russia.
In response to the increasing cyber threats, experts recommend accelerating digital identity protection for citizens, implementing web application firewalls, and creating fact-checking services to combat disinformation. By understanding the patterns of cyber activity and their relationship with the country’s internal forces, better defenses can be planned against cyber espionage.
