OVP confirms hack on website, says security measures being undertaken

The Office of the Vice President on Monday confirmed a hack attack that defaced its website Sunday, the first day of 2012, saying the attack left the site down for more than 15 hours.   In a statement posted on the OVP website, media affairs division head Joselito Salgado said the hack occurred at about 4 p.m.   "We have been informed that [the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology] is looking into the incident and will put in place the needed safeguards," he said.   He said the OVP website is hosted by the ASTI.   Salgado also chided the hackers from PrivateX, saying the attack "deprived" the public, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), of information on the OVP's programs, projects and services.   He added the website had also provided the public the opportunity to bring their concerns to the attention of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on OFW concerns.   "Unfortunately, the hacking incident has deprived the public, particularly our Overseas Filipino Workers with a channel to communicate with the Vice President," he said.   On Sunday, the OVP website was defaced, with PrivateX replacing the home page with a message on "information security." The hackers also appeared to taunt Salgado, embedding a video of a news clip that quoted him as denying a hack attack on the OVP website last year. — KBK, GMA News