Converge blocks 183B illegal site access, up 18-fold

Converge ICT Solutions Inc., a telecommunications provider in the Philippines, reported blocking 183 billion attempts to access illegal websites last year, marking an 18-fold increase from previous years.

The majority of these blocked attempts were related to child sexual abuse materials and online gambling, with nearly 98 percent classified as OSAEC (online sexual abuse or exploitation of children).

Converge added 150,000 new URLs into its system last year based on reports from government agencies and private entities.

The surge in unauthorized access attempts is attributed to AI-driven hacking methods, with traditional manual approaches no longer effective.

Despite the growing use of AI for operational efficiency, Converge emphasizes user education as a primary defense against illegal activities facilitated by AI.

Converge has partnered with NGOs, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to raise awareness about OSAEC and enhance security measures.