Cyber Crime in India its Laws and Applicability

BY VINITA MITTAL

What is Cyber Crime It is a criminal activity committed on the internet. This is a broad term that describes everything from electronic cracking to denial of service attacks that cause electronic commerce sites to lose money "The modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun. Tomorrow's terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb". It can be classified broadly into 3 categories: 1. Cyber crimes against persons. 2. Cyber crimes against property. 3. Cyber crimes against government.

Journey to Cyber Crime

The first recorded cyber crime took place in the year 1820! That is not surprising considering the fact that the abacus, which is thought to be the earliest form of a computer, has been around since 3500 B.C. in India, Japan and China. The era of modern computers, however, began with the analytical engineofCharleBabbage. In 1820, Joseph-Marie Jacquard, a textile manufacturer in France, produced the loom. This device allowed the repetition of a series of steps in the weaving of special fabrics. This resulted in a fear amongst Jacquard's employees that their traditional employment and livelihood were being threatened. They committed acts of sabotage to discourage Jacquard from further use of the new technology. This is the first recorded cyber crime!

Cyber Crime Investigation Cell

In keeping with the demand of the times, the Cyber Crime Investigation Cell (CCIC) of the CBI, notified in September 1999, started functioning w.e.f. 3.3.2000. The Cell is headed by a Superintendent of Police. The jurisdiction of this Cell is all India, and besides the offences punishable under Chapter XI, IT Act,2000, it also has power to look into other high-tech crimes.

Cyber Crime against Persons

Transmission of child-pornography Trafficking, distribution, posting, and dissemination of obscene material via internet Virus Transmission Cyber Harassment

Cyber Crime against Property

Computer vandalism Transmission of harmful programmes Destruction of others property through internet

Cyber Crime against Government

Threaten the international governments Terrorize the citizen Growth of Global Terrorism Cracking on Defense & government sites Intra-bank transfer of funds for terrorist activities

Basic role of Cyber Criminals

Unauthorized access: 1. To a computer or network 2. Creation and dissemination of harmful computer programmes

Script-kiddies 1. Planting Viruses 2.Get Root access of other computer system 3. Change the content & information of any website 4. Modify feature of any website

Cyber crime status in India

First Cyber law, the Information Technology Act in 2000 Act defines five cyber-crimes : Damage to computer source code Hacking Publishing electronic information which is lascivious or prurient Breach of confidentiality Publishing false digital signatures

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Conclusion
Cyber crime is a multi-billion dollar problem. Law enforcement must seek ways to keep the drawbacks from overshadowing the great promise of the computer age. The founding fathers of internet wanted it to be a boon to the whole world and it is upon us to keep this tool of modernization as a boon and not make it a bane to the society.