Google warns some ABS-CBN employees of possible hacking attempts by 'gov't-backed attackers'

Arlene Burgos, who secures her account with a multi-layered authentication, received an alert from the tech giant that state-sponsored attackers may have tried to steal her password.As head of audience development of news.abs-cbn.com, which is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp, her account is linked to the site's social media pages.

Web developer Regie Francisco, who helps monitor and maintain the operation of the news website, also received the same warning.Monitoring site HaveIBeenPwned reported that his account has been exposed to potential data breach 16 times, he said."There's a chance the alert is a false alarm. However, we believe we detected activities that government-backed attackers use to try to steal a password or other personal information," Google said about the warning.

Users may have received emails containing harmful attachments, links to malicious software downloads or links to fake websites."We can’t reveal what tipped us off because the attackers will take note and change their tactics. If they're successful, they could access data or take other actions using the user's account," the California-based tech firm added.

Google has been alerting users of government-backed hacking attempts since 2012 "out of an abundance of caution.""The notice does not necessarily mean that the account has been compromised or that there is a widespread attack," the company said, adding it does not indicate who is responsible for the incident.

Sought for comment about the incident, Google Philippines said "it doesn't have a statement for this at the moment," but referred ABS-CBN News to several links for support.Tech expert Art Samaniego said several "influencers" had also reported possible hacking attempts last week.

"They have noticed suspicious website traffic, but hackers were not targeting a specific group," he told ABS-CBN News.By masking their location using a proxy server, hackers conduct "campaigns" to steal information for a profit, Samaniego said.

"Some sold the breached accounts while others do it to spread their cause," he said. Read more: ABS-CBN News Channel »

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gretchenho Imposible yan. Kayang maghire ng I.T expert ang Abs Cbn to protect ang system nila. Tigilan niyo na ang fake news! Badtrip na badtrip nako sa inyo! mor1019chacha Mag ingat! proof of actual hacking? logs? alerts from your firewalls, security devices? traced the origin of the hacks? naaaahhh this is too gimicky

mor1019chacha HOAX! Its a warning. Sympathy again?! Ayayay. intheserviceURASS Ancalerts ano pang mga tactics gagawin ng abs to condition the mind of the people hahaha...nxt please abscbn Grabe naman ang pa-project ni Martin Andanar Kwento mo sa pagong Exhibit A grabe..anong klaseng Pinas meron tayu! Omg! Grabe na talaga ang ginagawa sa ABS-CBN!

what? Looks like the International Community is on the move.

Dominguez sees boost in investor confidence if allegations vs ABS-CBN provenFinance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III says investors will see that the government is upholding the rule of law if the allegations against ABS-CBN are proven. Word play. Galing umiwas! Habulin nyo yung POGO! Paano? Haayyyssss... What happening is different...government attacks to companies and unlawful government policies makes investors moved out. Is there anybody who can relay the status of $PSEI to this SecSonnySays. I think he is blind

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Cable operators oppose ABS-CBN franchise renewalGood job - kuya kim 🤣 obviously palace controlled congress Ayaw nila suportahan dahil sila ay mulat sa katotohanan , wala kang maloloko ,dapat ay ikaw ang umalis sa kongreso sa pagbulagbulagan at pag bingi-bingihan sa tunay na kahangalan na ginagawa sa taong bayan, kung saan ginagamit ang media para isuwalat ang kagandahan sa kamalian

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Bato on ABS-CBN fate: What’s is 11,000 jobs lost compared to the whole Filipino nation?Nearly 11,000 regular and non-regular employees and talents may lose their jobs if the broadcast giant is forced to cease operations without a renewed franchise where does this police chief turned politician gets his logic from crybaby bugok Sen. Bato has no economic vision - and pity to the ABSCBN 11,000 employees their families who will be displaced including people who are linked to media industry eg advertising ,PR, tourism, food, travel etc.We are sad with a leader’s myopic view of the issue. iamkarendavila