Activating SMS spam filters on devices helps reduce spam and scam messages

Are you getting flooded with unwanted text messages? You can block these with a few easy steps.

Globe is encouraging customers to take advantage of tools available on their personal devices, such as built-in SMS spam filters or blockers, to fend off spam or scam messages from unknown senders.

“While our cybersecurity team continues to work on anti-spam and anti-scam initiatives on the network side, customers can also make use of tools on their own devices to help protect themselves,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe Chief Information Security Officer.

Android phone users can set up spam filters on their Android devices. You can do this by following these simple steps:

1.       Download Google’s "Messages" app

2.       Set it as your default Android SMS messenger

3.       Go to Settings and enable Spam Protection

Should spam messages still get through, customers may report these to Globe via https://www.globe.com.ph/stop-spam or directly to the National Telecommunications Commission.

Bonifacio also reminded the public to never open or click on links from unknown numbers nor engage these spammers by replying with personal information.

Globe continues to boost its customer protection and Internet safety initiatives amid increased online activity brought about by the pandemic. The company blocked a total of 1.15 billion scam and spam messages, around 7,000 mobile numbers linked to scammers, and 2,000 unofficial social media accounts and phishing sites in 2021.

Globe blocks spam messages through a series of filters and threat intelligence systems which monitor traffic to find current campaigns and active spammers both on-net and inbound.

Within the first quarter of 2022, Globe has already blocked 203 phishing sites including 112 bank and 91 GCash phishing sites pretending to be from the legitimate pages of these organizations.

Globe’s anti-spam efforts are part of its goal to protect technological innovations, which are critical to economic growth and development. This is aligned with its commitment to infrastructure and innovation targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.