House vows to strike harder vs hackers
THE leadership of the House of Representatives has vowed to track down hackers responsible for defacing its official website whose operations were restored late afternoon Monday.
“The investigation into the unauthorized access is ongoing, and we are collaborating closely with relevant law enforcement agencies. Our aim is to identify and prosecute those responsible for this breach to the fullest extent of the law,” House Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” Sagun Velasco said.
After the House of Representatives issued a strongly worded statement late Saturday night criticizing former President Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte for allegedly maligning the legislative chamber, the institution’s official website or the URL congress.gov.ph had the message Sunday morning: “YOU’VE BEEN HACKED. YOU’VE BEEN HACKED. HAVE A NICE DAY” with a caricature of a laughing man.
The message also contained: “HAPPY APRIL FULLZ KAHIT OCTOBER PALANG! HACKED BY 3MUSKETEERZ 15-October-2023 || 11:31:24 AM.”
After one day of being deactivated, the operations of the House of Representatives website resumed.
“We are pleased to announce that the official website of the House of Representatives is now fully restored and operational,” Velasco said.
Velasco said the House of Representatives has been taking all necessary precautions in beefing up its defenses against cyber attackers. “We have taken comprehensive measures to enhance the security of our site, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of cybersecurity.”
“We would like to express our gratitude to the public for their patience and understanding during the brief interruption. We remain committed to transparency and open communication, and we have fortified our digital platforms to prevent such incidents in the future,” Velasco said.
“We encourage everyone to visit the website for updates and official statements from the House of Representatives. Rest assured, the safety and security of our digital resources remain a top priority. Thank you for your continued trust and support,” Velasco added.
