Advocacy, Current Events

COMELEC Database Hacked: What To Do To Protect Yourself

Official seal of the Commission on Elections (Wikipedia)
Official seal of the Commission on Elections (Wikipedia)
[Updated version; as of 22:57 H, 2016-04-22]

What To Do To Protect Yourself If Your Personal Info Is Compromised Due to the Recent COMELEC Database Hacking Incident

“Your personal data is out… now what? My friends and I have been compiling a list of things that you may do to protect yourself from identity theft. Feel free to share with your friends as well.” – Jon Limjap

You probably know by now that your personal data has been compromised when COMELEC’s voter database has been hacked and stolen. Some people have confirmed that their personal data has been compromised by the website (wehaveyourdata.com), but PLEASE REFRAIN from using this site as you may expose yourself to further risk.

[As of 10pm, April 22, the website wehaveyourdata.com has been confirmed to be offline/unreachable. The domain name’s server DNS address could not be found.]

[The Commission on Elections says the United States Of America Department of Justice helped in taking down the website that leaked voters’ data. US aids Philippines in containing data leak – Rappler]

A variety of personal data is included in the site: full legal name including your mother’s maiden last name, full birthdate, permanent addresses, and even the image of your fingerprints. OFWs are even more adversely affected as it contains passport information and their address abroad. All of these information can be used against you in the form of identity theft.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?

If your personal information is compromised, here are the possible things that might possibly happen to you:

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Gadgets, Technology

Broadband Internet Access in the Philippines: Slow and Expensive Because Reasons

“Here’s one thing that the Philippine media won’t tell you: Why Internet access in the country is still crappy, slow and expensive. It’s because of our protectionism and restrictive economic policies that repel or scare foreign investors and benefit only the oligarchs, cronies and politically connected corporatists.”

Broadband Internet Access in the Philippines: Slow and Expensive Because Reasons
Photo by Church Aldaba

Between 2010 and 2013, a handful of articles about the molasses-like state of Pinoy broadband have been published. Various forum topics on it have also been discussed. Since others have already done their homework and come up with very detailed TL;DR posts, here’s a shortlist of the more popular ones:

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Website Development, Design

Local Pinoy Domain Name Registration and Web Hosting

Local Pinoy Domain Name Registration and Web Hosting
Local Pinoy Domain Name Registration and Web Hosting

Web hosts that I have had past experience with:

  • Heyey! – “Fun and serious hosting”. Srsly, I had fun exploring, experimenting, and playing around with web hosting stuff there. I was sad to have to leave.
  • Fiestahosting, Wyldnation Web Hosting and Design, Tahanan.net – I have moved on from these providers.

Domain name registration and web hosting providers in the Philippines that are currently in operation:

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Advocacy

On Maali the Elephant: Deconstructing PETA’s Arguments, Piece by Piece

On Maali the Elephant: Deconstructing PETA's Arguments, Piece by Piece
On Maali the Elephant: Deconstructing PETA’s Arguments, Piece by Piece

“Just a note: we have received a warning from Facebook that they want us to DELETE the post (see below) refuting the arguments of PETA because they claim it violates community standards. That is CENSORSHIP. The truth needs to be told, irrespective of whether or not PETA agrees with it. [Share this and help spread the truth!] They want to abuse us and say all kinds of things, but they are hurt when their arguments are refuted? NEVER!”

– The We Love Maali Facebook Page

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