In 2024, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it monitors over two million cyber threats per day.

DICT confirms 'persistent' cyberattacks targeting offices under executive branch

So how can one prevent themselves from falling into the trap of online scammers?

In a video shown journalists at the celebration of Safer Internet Day 2025, Google Asia Pacific's Head of Trust and Safety Global Engagements Norman Ng shared tips on how users can protect their online accounts.

1. Double-check links from supposedly legitimate online sources.

Ng said users must take a closer look at the finer details of any legitimate-looking websites. "Why? Scammers have gotten so good at making links and fake websites look legitimate over the years," he said.

"We need to make sure we're inspecting everything closely," he added.

2. Downloading third-party apps from websites is not always secure.

While it may be enticing to download apps outside the Google Play Store, apps from other websites may contain malware that can hijack a device and steal a user's important information, Ng explained.

When downloading apps, users must make sure that these are highly rated, have a lot of downloads, made by credible developers, and have reasonable apps permissions.

3. Do not store your passwords in your Notes app.

"Imagine if I lost my phone and I did store it in my notes, someone finds my phone, imagine if they open this, all my passwords will be compromised," Ng said.

Ng advised netizens to use password manager apps, like Google Password Manager, to store passwords in. He noted that Google Password Manager locks the passwords behind a two-step verification and biometric passkeys.

4. Screen the members of your group chats.

Is there one person who's inactive in your high school batch's group chat (GC)? You might want to consider removing him from the GC already, Ng said.

"You don't know who's watching and exposing the contents of your group chat," he said.

"If one person in a group chat gets compromised or hacked, all the group chats they are in will be compromised," he explained.

LIST: Google shares tips for safer internet use this 2023

Ng's video is a collaboration between Google and TikTok educational content creator Lyka Marvilla to help promote Google's features that help protect internet users.

Google has previously collaborated with Ben&Ben to promote internet safety in the "new normal."