What is Cybercrime ? | types of Cybercrime and what can we do for spot Cybercrime

 Introduction

• Cybercrime is the use of electronic medium like computers for criminal activities. In this technological world the criminals have also found a way to disturb the world though cybercrime. It is a serious problem that is growing on a large scale and needs to be checked urgently.

Recent Issues

• In India there is a cybercrime every 10 minutes.
• Cyberattacks are affecting individuals as well as organisations.
• 27482 cases of cybercrime were reported in India in a year.
• The years 2014-2021 have seen continuous increase in cybercrimes. During these years the National Crime bureau Records reported that 13 ATMs and 22 financial organisations were affected by 79 phishing incidents.
• Around 13653 credit card frauds were registered with the RBI in 2016-2017

Types of Cybercrimes Hacking

• Unauthorized encroachments into another persons computer or network is hacking. Between April 2017 and January 2018, about 22000 websites were hacked in India!

Virus

• Virus attach themselves to files and delete or alter the data. Virus attacks can affect the data of any individual or organisation hereby causing a loss.

Phishing

• Obtaining personal and sensitive information through messages and email spoofing is phishing. It further has types like clone phishing, spear phishing , whaling etc.

Software Piracy

• Creating and distributing copies of original programs and violating the copyrights and patents is piracy. The problem here is that often the users are not able to distinguish between the original and pirated versions.

Pornography

• Using the internet for any sexual abuse and acts is pornography. The situations have gone worse with increase in cases of child pornography.

Other Frauds

• Privacy intrusion, investment frauds, data diddling, cyber defamation etc are other ways of committing a cybercrime.

Cyberterrorism

• Cyberterrorism is the modern form of terrorism where terrorists use electronic media to complete their evil missions. It targets the population on a massive scale and is extremely dangerous.
• Information Technology Act 2000
• The Information Technology Act 2000 is an act of the Parliament that addresses the issues relating to cybercrime in India.
  
  
  
• In 2011, data privacy rules have been introduced in the Act.
• In February 2017, M/s Voucha Gram India Pvt Ltd an e-commerce portal www.gyftr.com filed a complaint against hacking and hackers were arrested for digital shoplifting under the provisions of the act.

What can be done

• Set difficult passwords but make sure you are able to remember them.
• Do not share OTP (One time password) and other cards related information with anyone.
• Keep your files in two locations and have backups.
• Do not talk to strangers online or share any kind of pictures, videos, personal information etc. with them.
• Do not click on random pop-ups.
• Use good quality anti-virus software.
• Buy original software and save yourself from pirated versions.
  
  
  
• There are a number of cybercrime investigation cells and cyber police stations in India. Immediately while a complaint in case of an issue.

Conclusion

• While for all of us technology is a boon but it also proves to be a bane when such cyber-crimes take place. The government needs to resort to strict actions and measures to check the growth of such crimes.
• Meanwhile, we should also keep our precautions and try to save ourselves from cybercrimes.