PLDT TWITTER ACCOUNT HACKED BY ANONYMOUS

“Watch out for urgent requests! Hackers may take advantage of the #COVID-19 emergency by sending suspicious emails and text messages. These can be used to steal money or get sensitive information. #Stayhome”

Two days after PLDT tweeted this message, the telecommunications company’s Twitter account was hacked.

The hackers changed PLDT’S account from “PLDT Cares“to “PLDT Doesn’t Care” with this message: “As the pandemic arises, Filipinos need fast internet to communicate with their loved ones. Do your job. The corrupt fear us, the honest support us, the heroic join us. We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.”

The tweet was accompanied by an image of the Guy Fawkes mask from the “V for Vendetta” graphic novels and film. The mask has become a symbol for the international hacktivist group Anonymous, the Occupy movement, and other protesters all over the world.

A couple of hours later, PLDT was able to recover the account, posting a statement that it was ready to serve again. “We would like to assure our customers that the issue was limited only to the Twitter account and did not affect PLDT’S network and services ... We are keenly aware of people’s need for internet services and that’s precisely why, when the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) was imposed in March, PLDT provided speed boosts for its Fibr customers and Smart increased data allocation for mobile phone customers. That’s also why, despite the restraint on movement and supply chain problems, we continue to invest heavily in our network rollout for fiber and LTE. As a result, our customers have been using more extensively a wide range of data and digital services that have helped them cope with life under lockdown.”