Geofencing: Defending Filipino mobile users from rising cyberthreats

ON AVERAGE, Filipinos use 11 mobile applications per day — one of the highest rates in Southeast Asia. Smartphones have become central to everyday life as the nation undergoes a mobile-first digital transformation.

- By Jan Sysmans

Over half or 54.7% of mobile phone users in the Philippines prefer apps over websites for digital tasks, while 61.6% rely on e-wallets for payments, according to Appdome's 2024 Philippine Mobile Consumer Survey. This growing reliance on smartphones aligns with the country's Digital Transformation Roadmap, which aims to expand digital access and public services nationwide.

With increased usage, of course, comes increased risk. As mobile use pervades both urban and rural regions, the risk of digital fraud grows proportionally. In 2024 alone, the Philippines recorded P409 million in losses to online fraud - largely due to phishing, account takeovers (ATOs), and credential stuffing attacks. These threats underline the urgency for modern, context-aware security controls that extend beyond traditional methods.

One strategy is geofencing, a location-based security mechanism that uses geographic boundaries to implement access controls, detect anomalies, and deter fraud. As it is commonly associated with marketing or logistics, geofencing's use in mobile cybersecurity remains underleveraged. When implemented correctly, geofencing can be used to fortify mobile app security in the Philippines.

THE ESCALATING CYBERTHREAT LANDSCAPE

Cybercrime in the Philippines is rising at a staggering rate. Cybercrime complaints surged by 71.9% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year, jumping from 1,891 to 3,251 cases, according to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC). This increase underscores how cybercriminals are evolving faster than conventional security models can keep pace with.