DOJ warns vs Internet-related crimes

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) advised the public yesterday to be cautious about the people they meet online, as it warned that Internet crimes have been on the rise.

In a 10-point advisory, the DOJ said public awareness and participation is crucial in the government’s campaign against computer crimes.

“For law enforcers to be able to focus their attention and resources to Internet crimes of serious gravity, the public should do their part in preventing other Internet crimes which are within their power to detect,” the DOJ advisory said.

Around 87 percent of Filipino Internet users have been victims of Internet crimes, according to a 2010 study conducted by Symantec, an Internet security company entitled The Norton Cybercrime Report: The Human Impart.

Internet users should also be cautious in giving information online, the DOJ said.

“Never part with your money online unless absolutely certain of the legitimacy and integrity of the transaction” and “be wary if an offer or advertisement seems too good to be true,” it added.

“Consider using debit cards instead of credit cards when making online purchases,” it said.

The DOJ said parents should likewise do their part to ensure that their children will not be victims of Internet crimes. It cited the need to use blocking or filtering software to protect children from harmful websites.

Parents were also asked to “avail of free educational materials online that provide information on how to protect children from Internet crimes.

Online users should “be circumspect in downloading and installing computer programs or even in clicking forwarded links,” it added.

The DOJ urged the public to help law enforcers by reporting incident of Internet crimes to the National Bureau of Investigation’s computer crimes unit at 528-8231 local 3455 or the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) cybercrime unit at 7261575.

The PNP earlier launched its “Project Angel Net,” a 24/7 operation center and website aimed at fighting online sex predators and cyber bullies.

The website www.-cidgangelnet.ph will serve as a complaint center where people can directly report incidents of child abuses related to the Internet.