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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider NPC issues digital safety tips vs cybercriminals this holiday season

NPC issues digital safety tips vs cybercriminals this holiday season

Published Dec 21, 2019 12:00 am
By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat The National Privacy Commission (NPC) is reminding shoppers and travelers to be extra vigilant against cybercriminals this Christmas season. During the Data Privacy Stakeholders’ Assembly on Thursday, held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro said it’s that time of the year again when consumers are most prone to getting victimized online by unlawful elements, as many tend to overlook danger signs while shopping for gifts for their loved ones or availing of vacation services. NPC has come up with 12 tips to protect your personal data as you shop, purchase gifts, and book your travels. First, Liboro advised individuals to think before plugging in. “It may be the season of sharing but be always mindful when sharing digital files,” said Liboro. To guard against personal data theft, NPC advised to ensure that your USB flash drive is malware-free by scanning it first with an up-to-date antivirus. Second, always make sure you gadgets are fully charged. The busy holiday season means constant correspondence with your friends and loved ones, as well as surfing online shops to buy presents. This drains your battery, and though it’s tempting to charge your device in the nearest public charging station, it’s better to charge your phone using your own power bank or plugging your charger into an AC outlet. Third, install legitimate apps only. “Fake apps use up your phone's resources by displaying unsolicited advertisements on your device, or worse, obtain your payment information or other personal data without your knowledge,” said Liboro. Aside from searching the official application source (App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android), also check the developer’s name indicated below the title of the app and the app’s description for spelling, grammatical, or technical errors. Take the time to examine the number of downloads and read positive reviews.
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