DICT identifies IP addresses in website attacks

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday the Department of Communications and Information Technology (DICT) has identified certain IP (internet protocol) addresses used in the failed attacks on the poll body’s website shortly before the May 9 elections.

At a press briefing, Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiango noted there were more than 20,000 “attempts to attack” their website and the website for election results since May 8 and 9 but these were stopped by the DICT.

“We had a meeting with DICT and they were proud to report that they were able to prevent or block more than 20,000 attempted attacks,” he added.

Laudiango said the DICT is bent on pursuing cases against those behind the attacks through a cybercrime investigation.

“They will be pursuing cases. They hope to identify each and every one of the (sources)… DICT is also continuously guarding our system and we are thankful for this,” he added.

Based on a government policy, DICT is the one hosting Comelec’s website.

“Now, the infrastructure of DICT is working for the benefit of the commission, for the hardening of the website,” he maintained.