Hackers hit disaster info project website

MANILA, Philippines - The computer server of a government project that uses video footage to inform the public about disasters has been penetrated by hackers, with the website’s address directing its visitors to adult web pages.

The address of DINA (Disaster Information for Nationwide Awareness) Project <www.ocd.ndrrmc.gov.ph/index.php/project-dina> will bring mobile phone users to a website of Russian models or a pornographic video sharing page.

The problem came as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is stepping up measures to enhance awareness on disasters.

NDRRMC executive director Eduardo del Rosario said the public could access the DINA Project website through desktop computers or laptops while they are fixing the problem.

“Do not use mobile phones because government websites are being hacked now,” Del Rosario said during the launch of the DINA Project yesterday.

Fortunately, there were no glitches when the videos were presented during the project launch which, incidentally, was attended by minors.

Del Rosario said it is possible that Anonymous Philippines, the group behind the defacing of more than 30 government websites, is behind the technical woes.

DINA project features eight audio-visual presentations that tackle earthquakes, tropical cyclones, tsunami, floods, landslides, fires and emergency survival kits.

The videos seek to inform viewers about the nature of disasters as well as ways to prepare for them.

The project cost P1 million, with the government contributing P400,000 and Ube Media Inc. of the Lina Group of Companies shouldering P600,000.

“This is very important. We can now educate all of our countrymen who have Internet access,” Del Rosario said.