Cyberattack on Nov. 5?

National

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has warned the public of a potential large-scale cyberattack expected to occur on Nov. 5, urging vigilance and calm amid what experts describe as a global wave of online disruptions.

In an advisory posted on its official Facebook page, the DICT said it was closely monitoring possible attempts to launch a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, also known as a “traffic flood.”

Such incidents overwhelm servers with excessive online traffic, causing websites or applications to slow down or become temporarily inaccessible to users.

The department clarified, however, that the anticipated event is not a data breach or hacking attempt.

“It will not involve theft of personal accounts, data, or funds,” the DICT assured, emphasizing that no sensitive information is at risk.

In a report by Philstar, ICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda explained that the potential attack is part of a global alert, with several countries also strengthening their defenses against coordinated cyber disruptions.

“There is a worldwide alert, not just in the country. We are ready,” Aguda said, noting that the agency has been working closely with international partners to ensure preparedness.

To mitigate risks, the DICT has activated Oplan Cyberdome, its comprehensive cybersecurity framework designed to safeguard critical information systems.

The operation involves coordination with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), law enforcement agencies, and private sector partners for rapid incident response.

The National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT) has also been placed on 24/7 monitoring to detect, analyze, and respond to any suspicious cyber activity.

The team will provide real-time updates and technical support should online disruptions occur.

The DICT advised the public to remain patient and cautious in the event of temporary online slowdowns or outages.

Users are encouraged to retry accessing affected websites later, rely only on official apps and status pages, and follow verified advisories from authorities and service providers.

Additionally, the agency reminded netizens to avoid spreading unverified information or engaging in any illegal online activity amid the heightened alert.

“Stay calm, stay informed, and trust only official updates,” the department said.

Cybersecurity experts note that large-scale DDoS attacks are often timed to coincide with significant dates or global events, targeting both public and private institutions.

While the intent may be to disrupt, they emphasize that preparedness and public cooperation are key to minimizing impact.(Xienderlyn Trinidad, USJ-R Comm Intern)