Abstract
Cyber Crime is a crime done using a computer or a group of computers. With the passage of time, internet addiction, cyber crimes and steps taken for its security has become an issue not only for the government but also to a common man as well. In order to reduce the number of cyber crimes, we the people need to understand the security steps as well as the excess harm that is caused due to excess internet usage. This paper illustrates and enlightens the concepts and issues related to cyber crimes, it’s security and last but not the least, the internet addiction. The issue indeed has become the need of the hour. The motive of this research paper is to spread awareness regarding the cyber crimes, it’s laws among people of different age groups especially the teenagers who are more prone to such things via social modes or simply the social media. The research paper would not only make the readers aware of the issues that are present at hand such as cyber crimes and security but also suggests various ways by which it can be reduced.
Keywords for the research paper
Cyber crimes, security, cyber laws,, technology, computers, cyber technology, software
Introduction
‘The internet gave us access to everything but it also gave everything access to us.’[1]This quote firmly blends with today’s world’s scenario. A scenario where technology is growing at a faster rate, where people are busy in the rat race in the hue of surpassing the other.
There is no denial to the fact that human lives have become much easier with the arrival of the internet technology. Everything is available at a snap of fingers. But with growing needs we don’t even tend to realise the harm that Internet brings with us. As our needs increases so dies the addiction to the technological world and so does the crimes. Recent studies have shown that India witnessed a huge of 13.9 lakhs cyber Crime cases approximately in the year 2022, so it’s high time we realize the need of the hour. The growing internet usage by people around the globe for more than required hours have given rise to such crimes.
Research methodology
The paper for the research work titled- “Cyber crime, security and human psychology: Internet addiction, literacy on cyber Crime and Security” is of descriptive in nature and has used secondary sources such as magazines, newspaper, journals and books.
Review of literature
- Aparna and Chauhan (2012)[2]
In their respective work, the following authors researched about the seriousness of cyber crimes and further concluded that cyber crimes can only be reduced of one pays attention to the cyber crimes itself and this is not only the responsibility of the government but also of the users as well.
- Agarwal(2015)[3]
Similar to the work of Aparna and Chauhan, the author in her stated that it is the responsibility of the users to be aware of the cyber crimes and to take necessary precautions. The paper also discussed the different types of cyber crimes that exist.
- Mehta and Singh (2013)[4]
A survey was held specifically to see the seriousness of cyber crimes and it was concluded that awareness regarding the issue are different in men and women. Men basically are more aware of such issues as compared to women.
Meaning of cyber crime, security and Internet addiction.
- Cyber crime
Cyber crimes if in simplest of terms defined refers to the crimes that are caused using a computer. Cybercrime comes in different types of forms which involves harassing online users.
It is a punishable offence and the person found liable to it has to face charges. Cyber crimes is not the work of a single person but it is a group based crimes wherein people are operating with each other while sitting either overseas or in the remotest areas of the country so that they are difficult to find.
- Cyber security
Cyber security refers to the “protection” of computers and it’s users against various threats and different types of cyber crimes. Cyber security was basically invented and used in order to enhance the protection level of the users and promote smooth operation of all the tasks digitally. The steps related to cyber security keeps changing according to the requirement of the situation and needs. As the cyber crimes increases, it poses new challenges to the cyber security as well since cyber crimes occur in the most unbelievable ways.
- Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is a condition in which a person spends more than required time on the internet. It is a condition wherein a person feels the urge to spend more than required time digitally notwithstanding that the other areas of his life such as relationships, work-life etc. suffer. Internet addiction is common these days. It is especially common among the young teenagers who spend most of their time on social websites. Internet addiction has proved to be really harmful for the present generation. Not only does it affect a person’s physical health such as eyesight or posture defects but also affects them mentally. Issues such as inferiority complex, depression, anxiety or fear of failure have become really common. Studies clearly shows that people who are a victim of internet Addiction are more prone to suicidal behaviour than people who are not prone.
Why do cyber crimes happen?
Cyber crimes are usually done by people who think that cyber crimes are an easy way to make big money in a short span of time. Cyber criminals hence for this purpose target rich people, banks, casinos and many more. But with the introduction of much more advanced technologies, cyber criminals have dug various ways to commit cyber crimes. Earlier only the rich institutions such as stock markets, banks and casinos and rich people were the target but with the passage of time, even a poor person is not spared. Now a single link or a blank phone call can have an access to the person’s entire bank history or transactions. A single phone call can hack multiple bank accounts at a snap of a minute.
Poverty and unemployment also serves as one of the reasons as to why cyber crimes exists. Many young talented people who have the capability of serving the nation for a better cause are not given the opportunities for the same due to lack of unemployment. The increase in money prices and no source of income causes them to move to the criminal world since committing crimes looks as a much easier way to earn a rather fat income. Many talented youths fall to such traps hence defaming their subconscious as well as their identities.
Categories of cyber crimes
The cyber crimes can be broadly classified into four categories based on their impacts and their targets. The categories are made so that it becomes easier for the people to understand as well as interpret. The categories are as follows:-
- Crime against property – these are the type of cyber crimes which target the property of an individual. Intellectual property crimes, cyber vandalism, hacking computer systems, computer forgery, transfer of viruses, different software that damage computers are some of the crimes against property. Cyber trespass, internet theft, robbery and stealing are some of its kinds.
- Crime against individual- Crime against individual are those types of crimes that are targeted towards a specific person. Cracking, hacking, harassment through emails, harassment through emails, cyber bullying, cheating and fraud, pornography especially the child pornography, assault by threat, transfer of obscene material, spoofing via emails, carding, service attack denial and many more comes under the category of crime against individual. Statistics have proved that close to 800-900 people die every year due to cyber crimes caused against individual.
- Crime against Firm/ Government/ Company/ Individual’s group- These types of crimes are targeted against a bigger population. Crimes such as cyber terrorism, possession of unauthorised information, software’s hacking, logic bombs, salami attacks, web jacking and many more are a part of such crimes. Through the commitment of such crimes, the cyber criminals want to scare the citizens of the country or wants their demands to be fulfilled.
- Crimes against society – All the above three categories somehow or the other affects the society either directly or indirectly. Therefore, any crimes under any category constitute crimes against society. It is because when a crime takes place, it not only affects the person who became a victim to such crime but also his family members, close ones sometimes the community is affected.
Literacy on cyber crimes : Indian perspective
Cyber crimes in India have almost replaced the traditional crimes. Fraud is now a common crime in the country. With the evolution of smartphones and technology, almost everything in the country ranging to payment of various bills such as electricity, gas, water or that of a multiplex to transfer of papers is now possible on the smartphone. Cybercrime is a world wide and a group crimes. Most of the times, the cyber criminals are sitting overseas and Kure common people into giving their confidential information to them. Although most of the people now use their smartphones and laptops for various transactions but most of them are not aware of the algorithms of the software as to what information do they need to share and what they do not have to share. Many people in the country are trapped in the disguise of various financial schemes that tempts them to get a huge amount of money in a short span of time. Once the people fall for such schemes, cyber criminals then asks them to share a specific OTP, or to click a specific link or sometimes just the call and voila! All your information invaded! These criminals do not just operate for the financial purpose directly sometimes people also become subjected to online blackmailing due to the obscene material or moments that were either recorded or were stolen once the system was hacked. Therefore, it’s not only the cyber crimes that needs to be taken seriously but also the methods pertaining to cyber security.
People in India are still ignorant of the importance of cyber literacy hence it becomes all the more important to look into the issue. If the people are aware of such issues then they would become more conscious and would take certain precautions for their own health care and safety thereby leading to reduction in the cyber crime rate.
Cyber laws in India
Laws that are concerned with the crimes that happens digitally via computers are collectively called as cyber laws.
To control such activities the Indian government introduced the Information Technology Act, 2000[5]. Here are some of the sections of the same that protects and safeguard the rights of the individuals:
- Section 65[6]: Tampering with computer source documents.
- Section 66[7]: Using password of another person.
- Section 66D[8]: Cheating using computer resource.
- Section 66E[9]: publishing private images of others.
- Section 66F[10]: acts of cyber terrorism
- Section 67[11]: publishing child porn or predating children online
- Section 69[12]: Power of the government to block websites.
- Section 43A[13]: data protection at corporate level.
Cyber security: Methods to be opted for its prevention
It is important to understand the need of the hour so following are some of the methods that needs to be opted for the prevention of such crimes-
- Always have a licensed copy of the software.
- Not only one should have the licensed copy of the software but also for the antivirus.
- People are required to always keep their software updated.
- Awareness should be made among youngsters regarding such crimes.
- Always have strong passwords for everything and change it often.
- Do not reply to unknown emails or do not pick calls from doubted numbers.
- Always update your browsers.
- Do not ever share personal information such as bank details, OTPs or any other relevant information online or on any other source. If such things are required, always confirm it first from the concerned authorities.
- Shut down your computer or web cam when not in use.
- Never download files or other documents or recordings from unknown websites, emails or numbers.
- Always check the spelling of the websites, their URL and their addresses.
- Install antivirus software in your phones and desktops.
Internet addiction and ways to prevent it:
Internet addiction has become a world wide issue. People spend more than required time on internet that may affect them negatively for the rest of their lives. Hence it is important for the people to understand the intensity of such addiction. It is the responsibility of the people as well as of the parents whose kids are a part of such addictions. There are some of the methods of precautions that can save a person from such fatal addiction. They are as follows –
- Awareness programs should be organised especially in educational institutions making the students aware of the cyber crimes, digital addiction and such related topics.
- Parents should keep a check on the internet timings of their children and should install kids friendly software in the smart phone.
- Parents who are working and are not able to give their times to their kids should take out some time from their busy schedule and should talk to their children or take them out for other recreational activities.
- Consult a therapist and talk to them if you are facing such issues.
- Always have your goals set. Make it clear in your head what you are trying to achieve but are unable due to the excess time that you spend on the internet.
- The best way to stop yourself from getting again on the internet is to make a plan.
- Write down your plans and try to achieve them.
- Make sure you start out small. One should always set a achievable goal at the beginning so as to remain motivated and then stretch your limits later.
- Try to get a social support. Take help from your family, colleagues, friends or teachers.
- Try to spend more time socializing on site rather than online.
Symptoms of internet addiction:
Often it becomes difficult to find out whether a person is really a victim of internet addiction or not. So here are some of the symptoms that are enlisted that might help to solve the issue. The symptoms are as follows:
- You no longer enjoy the activities that once you enjoyed.
- You spend most of the time online.
- It has become your habit to lie about your internet usage.
- You become confidential when it comes to your internet activities.
- You become frustrated or agitated when you do not have access to internet.
- You feel lonely when you are among the people but you feel yourself, extrovert when you are online.
- You do not have a proper sleeping or eating schedule because of the long hours that you spend on the internet.
Suggestions
As a growing teenager myself, I am well aware of the fact that it is definitely not easy to prevent yourself from getting too attached to the internet world where the social media life tend to appear more glamourous than what we actually get in our real lives. For instance, social media has really acted as a catalyst for cyber crimes. People in order to compete with the better and a more flamboyant lifestyle which is present on social media gets motivated to achieve the same not realising the fact that what actually are they craving for is everything but the reality. This negative approach towards that more glamourous lifestyle made them the victims of inferiority complex, or anxieties, depressions, less concentration towards studies and many more. Many youngsters or sensitive teenagers with less than required self esteem fall into such traps with the wrong people and are then subjected to blackmailing, child pornography and other such heinous crimes. According to a McAfee Intel Security report of Indian tweens (8 to 13) and teens (13-17) in cyberspace, close to 70 percent of kids surveyed spend more than 5 hours on the Internet in a normal week.[14] Hence it becomes more necessary to look into the need of the hour as the small step taken today would surely turn into a larger step for a better future tomorrow.
Conclusion
Cyber crime has indeed become one of the most practiced and one the most serious crimes not only in India but world wide. Cyber crimes not only affects the financial status of a person but may also affect the privacy of that person and most importantly the mental health of that person.
Cyber crime ruin lives. A person who has toiled his entire life loses his entire savings just a click of an anonymous link or the mental health of the person is destroyed because their privacy was invaded since they fell into some honey trap on social media. Statistics have shown that most of the people remain unaware of such crimes. About 48% of the population only knows about the viruses and other such hacking software and approximately about 55% of them have accepted that they have shared their personal details with unknowns either on websites or on calls. There are many organisations that are actively working to promote awareness among the people regarding cyber crimes, cyber security and Internet addictions across the nation.
Even the government is actively working to reduce the number of crimes that have outnumbered the recent years’ records. The government has made various laws on issues related to cyber crimes and security. The Information Technology Act 2000 (IT)[15] states about such cyber crimes.
It is the need of the hour that cyber crimes needs to be stopped at all cost. Although it is somewhere true that a crime cannot become extinct but it can definitely be reduced if number of measureable steps are taken for the situation at hand.
Although the government and the organisations are actively working against the issue but it should also be the responsibility of the people not only of the Republic of India but also world wide to remain aware and stay protected of such crimes because Bruce Schneier has rightly said “ An amateur hack system, professionals hack people.”
Aaliya Fatima
Third year BALLB HONS
University of Lucknow
[2] APARNA AND CHAUHAN, Preventing Cyber Crime: A Study Regarding Awareness of Cyber Crime in Trinity International Journal of Enterprise Computing and Business Systems,459-464 ( 2012)
[3] Vol 2 Issue 8, AGGARWAL, General Awareness on Cyber Crime. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering (2015)
[4] MEHTA, SAROJ and SINGH, VIKRAM, A Study of Awareness about Cyber laws in the Indian Society, (2013)
[5] The Information Technology Act, 2000
[6] The Information Technology Act, 2000, § 66
[7] The Information Technology Act,2000, § 66D
[8] The Information Technology Act, 2000,§ 66E
[9] The Information Technology Act, 2000, § 66E
[10] The Information Technology Act, 2000, § 66F
[11] The Information Technology Act, 2000, § 67
[12] The Information Technology Act, 2000, § 69
[13] The Information Technology Act, 2000, § 43A
[14] SHRUTI DHAPOLA, Indian teens on social meeting strangers, lack of privacy are rampant, First Post(2014)
[15] Id at 5