NBI intensifies drive vs cyber criminals

MANILA, Philippines - As the Supreme Court started oral arguments on the cybercrime law, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) renewed its strong warning against computer hackers that they would be dealt with accordingly.

An official revealed the campaign against cybercrime by the NBI remains amid the ongoing debates on the controversial law before the Supreme Court.

The official who requested anonymity said the NBI has not wavered in its stand in going after hackers and cyber criminals amid legal questions over the provisions of the law.

Based on the NBI Crime Statistics of 2012, computer hacking and Internet scam remain the top crimes investigated by the NBI.

The NBI said some of these offenses fall under Republic Act 9995, or an Act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Photo and Video Voyeurism.

Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III’s website had been hacked several times, his homepage defaced with offensive messages.

The most recent attack occurred a week before the oral arguments at the SC last Jan. 15. Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which defines and penalizes several Internet-related offenses, has been questioned before the Supreme Court.

Several groups have opposed the law over what they called vague, yet repressive provisions that call for stiffer penalties.

The high court issued a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the law for 120 days.

The NBI source said everyone could be a victim of cyber attack, much like Senator Sotto - email, the social media and websites of government agencies.

More often, computer hackers are found stealing and selling other people’s credit card and other financial information.

The official warned a more organized structure like a group of hackers could attack a corporate mainframe stealing personal information.

The NBI official suggested putting up firewalls, install anti-virus programs and change passwords more often.

The source said a diverse group of people often referred to as “hackers” have been stereotyped as unethical, irresponsible, and a serious threat to society due to their acts of breaching computer systems.

The official said hackers have recently raised serious issues about values and practices in an information society and now they became a threat to personal and national security.

Computers and telecommunication networks have become a substantial aspect of society and subsequently of people’s lives.

This type of technology can be used to carry out unlawful as well as legal activities, the source said.