What is cyber crime? - Hindusan Times - Mumbai - 07 May 08

Any act committed in violation of criminal or civil codes using electronic or digital technology for unauthorised activities and transactions. Cyber crime also consists of specific crimes dealing with computers and computer networks, such as hacking, and the facilitation of traditional crime through computers. Cyber crime is different from conventional crime because it can be transnational - the perpetrator need not be physically present at the crime scene. As different countries have diverse legal systems, it becomes difficult to gather evidence.
Types of cyber crimes They include hacking, virus dissemination, software piracy, pornography, credit card frauds, Internet extortion, phishing, spoofing, cyber stalking, cyber defamation, threatening e-mails, sale of illegal items - such as narcotics and weapons - online gambling and data diddling - using data to cheat people. How it can be tackled Though the Internet penetration level in the country is very low about 3.7 per cent India is ranked fifth in the world with five crore Internet users after the US, China, Japan and Germany. This has, however, also resulted in a steady growth in the number of cyber crimes in the country. "The foremost initiative required to tackle the menace is the willingness of victims to report such crime. There is also a need to set up more cyber crime investigation cells across the country," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Enforcement) Sanjay Mohite. Also specialised training of forensic investigation to officers and active coordination between the police and other law enforcement agencies is required, he added.
Any act committed in viola- tion of criminal or civil codes using electronic or digital technology for unauthorised activities and transactions. Cyber crime also consists of specific crimes dealing with computers and computer networks, such as hacking, and the facilitation of traditional crime through computers. Cyber crime is different from conventional crime because it can be transnational - the perpetrator need not be physically present at the crime scene. As different countries have diverse legal systems, it becomes difficult to gather evidence. Types of cyber crimes They include hacking, virus dissemina- tion, software piracy, pornography, credit card frauds, Internet extortion, phishing, spoofing, cyber stalking, cyber defamation, threatening e-mails, sale of illegal items - such as narcotics and weapons - online gambling and data did- dling - using data to cheat people. How it can be tackled Though the Internet penetration level in the country is very low - about 3.7 per cent - India is ranked fifth in the world with five crore Internet users after the US, China, Japan and Germany. This has, however, also resulted in a steady growth in the num- ber of cyber crimes in the country. "The foremost initiative required to tackle the menace is the willingness of victims to report such crime. There is also a need to set up more cyber crime investigation cells across the country," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Enforcement) Sanjay Mohite. Also specialised training of forensic investigation to officers and active coordination between the police and other law enforcement agencies is required, he added.