Cyber crimes: Law and practice

Cyber crime means any criminal activity in which a computer or network is the source,
tool or target or place of crime. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines cyber crimes as
crimes committed with the use of computers or relating to computers, especially through internet.
Crimes involving use of information or usage of electronic means in furtherance of crime are
covered under the scope of cyber crime. Cyber Crimes may be committed against persons,
property and government. The common types of cyber crimes may be discussed under the
following heads.

1. Hacking -

A hacker is an unauthorized user who attempts to or gains access to an information
system. Hacking is a crime even if there is no visible damage to the system, since it is an invasion
in to the privacy of data. There are different classes of Hackers.

a) White Hat Hackers -

They believe that information sharing is good, and that it is their duty to share their expertise by facilitating access to information. However there are some white hathackers who are just “joy riding" on computer systems.

b) Black Hat Hackers -

They cause damage after intrusion. They may steal or modify data or insert viruses or worms which damage the system. They are also called ‘crackers’.

c) Grey Hat Hackers -

Typically ethical but occasionally violates hacker ethics Hackers will hack into networks, stand-alone computers and software. Network hackers try to gain unauthorized access to private computer networks just for challenge, curiosity, and distribution of
information. Crackers perform unauthorized intrusion with damage like stealing or changing of
information or inserting malware (viruses or worms)

2. Cyber Stalking -

This crime involves use of internet to harass someone. The behavior includes false accusations, threats etc. Normally, majority
of cyber stalkers are men and the majority of victims are women.

3. Spamming -

Spamming is sending of unsolicited bulk and commercial messages over the internet. Although irritating to most email users,
it is not illegal unless it causes damage such as overloading network and disrupting service to sub
scribers or creates .negative impact on consumer attitudes towards Internet Service Provider.

4. Cyber Pornography -

Women and children are victims of sexual exploitation through
internet. Pedophiles use the internet to send photos of illegal child pornography to targeted
children so as to attract children to such funs. Later they are sexually exploited for gains.

5.Phishing

It is a criminally fraudulent process of acquiring sensitive information such as
username, passwords and credit card details by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

6. Software Piracy -

It is an illegal reproduction and distribution of software for business or
personal use. This is considered to be a type of in fringement of copy right and a violation of a
license agreement. Since the unauthorized user is not a party to the license agreement it is
difficult to find out remedies.

7. Corporate Espionage - It means theft of trade secrets through illegal mean
s such as wire taps or illegal intrusions.

8. Money Laundering -

It means moving of illegally acquired cash through financial and other
systems so that it appears to be legally acquired. eg. Transport cash to a country having less
stringent banking regulations and move it back by way of loans the interest of which can re
deducted from his taxes. This is possible prior to computer and internet technology, electronic
transfers have made it easier and more successful.

9. Embezzlement -

Unlawful misappropriation of money, property or an y other thing of value
that has been entrusted to the offender’s care, custody or control is called embezzlement. Internet
facilities are misused to commit this crime.

10. Password Sniffers -

Password sniffers are programmes that monitor and record the name and
password of network users as they log in, jeopardizing security at a site. Whoever installs the
sniffer can impersonate an authorized user and login to access on restricted documents.

11. Spoofing -

It is the act of disguising one computer to electro
nically “look” like another compute, in order to gain access to a system that w
ould be normally is restricted. Spoofing was used to access valuable information stored in a com
puter belonging to security expert Tsutomu Shimomura.

12. Credit Card Fraud -

In U.S.A. half a billion dollars have been lost annually by consumers who have credit cards and calling card numbers. The
se are stolen from on-line databases.

13. Web Jacking -

The term refers to forceful taking of control of aweb site by cracking the
password.

14. Cyber terrorism -

The use of computer resources to intimidate or coerce government, the
civilian population or any segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives is called
cyber terrorism. Individuals and groups quite often try to exploit anonymous character of the
internet to threaten governments and terrorize the citizens of the country



* Source:http://delhicourts.nic.in/ejournals/CYBER%20LAW.pdf