LTO disables USB ports of computers

The chief of the Land Transportation office, Virginia Torres, has ordered the disabling of Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports of all computer work stations in the agency to prevent the use of unauthorized flash disks to alter vehicle registration records.

In a recent memorandum addressed to all regional directors, assistant regional directors and LTO-IT systems users, Torres reiterated an earlier order after receiving and documenting reports of the unauthorized updating of LTO-IT database where USB ports were used as entry to the agency’s records.

“This is part of the continuous monitoring activities of the agency to protect the network from various threats,” said Torres.

“Compliance to this directive will be strictly followed in order to safeguard the LTO-IT system from unauthorized access and viruses, which could harm the entire system,” Torres said. Violators of the directive will be denied access to the LTO-IT system, she said.

Torres’ directive is also aimed at eradicating the use of illegal flash disks, just like the one exposed by an investigative television program on Monday.

“The disabling of USB ports on all computers is a big step to assure that the integrity of our database is protected,” Torres said.