Wednesday, September 2, 2020

This ain’t coincidence! Netizens suspect hacking as GMA, ABS-CBN news websites become inaccessible

Netizens suspect something fishy as the news websites of GMA Network and ABS-CBN became inaccessible on Thursday morning (September 3).

Error notices appear on the webpages of the two sites when Politiko visited them around 10 a.m. Part of the notice read: “Your connection is not private. Attackers might be trying to steal your information from https://ift.tt/3hTMw5J (for example, passwords, messages, or credit cards).”

Twitter user @monroyandoyan suspects the news websites of the two broadcasting giants were hacked.

“Methinks the websites of @gmanews and @ABSCBNNews were hacked! Both are down right now,” he said.

Methinks the websites of @gmanews and @ABSCBNNews were hacked! Both are down right now.

— Ramon Royandoyan (@monroyandoyan) September 3, 2020

Netizen @rosscercado tweeted: “ABS-CBN News (https://ift.tt/2JRHmaz) and GMA News (https://ift.tt/31XUxRL) are both down. This can’t be a coincidence.”

ABS-CBN News (https://t.co/GxEqf0D5lu) and GMA News (https://t.co/XalS72hhcW) are both down.

This can’t be a coincidence.

— RD Cercado (@rosscercado) September 3, 2020

Twitter user @anime94 said the sites appeared to have been non-existent due to the error messages.

“@gmanews @ABSCBNNews are your news sites down? I am checking my daily news dose but I was instead redirected somewhere like saying those domains/sites do not exist yet,” he said.

@gmanews @ABSCBNNews are your news sites down? I am checking my daily news dose but I was instead redirected somewhere like saying those domains/sites do not exist yet.

— Red Sparrow (@anime94) September 3, 2020

ABS-CBN Head of News Digital Lynda Jumilla said they’re having the matter checked. She said users can still access ABS-CBN news app for mobile phones and tablets.

“Users reporting internet services of #PLDT, #Globe, #Converge down in several areas in Metro Manila. You may experience problems accessing our news site, http://news.abs-cbn.com. if you’re using these providers. Please be patient; we’re having it checked from our end. Thanks,” she tweeted.

GMA Network, for its part, has yet to release a statement on the issue. No official has also given an explanation for the error messages as of posting time.