What is cyber crime? Its types and history

CYBER CRIME

New technologies create new criminal opportunities and new types of crime. One such form is the use of a computer to commit fraud i.e., cybercrime. It basically refers to any illegal activity carried out using the internet. The computer can be the source or target of crime. Most cybercrimes are attacks on information about individuals, corporations, business empires, intelligence departments, or governments. It poses an immense threat to a person’s or a nation’s security and financial health. An important aspect of cybercrime is its ‘Non-local character’. Actions can be carried from a vast distance.

When these crimes involve two or more countries, then it becomes a kind of ‘computer-oriented war’. These cross border cybercrimes involving the actions of nations are referred to as cyber warfare.

History of Cyber Crimes:-

• The hack of 1834:- Considered to be the first cybercrime in history, though not managed through a computer. Two thieves infiltrated the French Telegraph System and gained access to financial markets.
• In the 1960s and 80s phone hacking became popular.
• 2008 Russia Cyberattack:- On 20 July 2008, weeks before the Russian invasion of Georgia, the "zombie" computers were already on the attack against Georgia. The website of the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvilli was targeted, resulting in overloading the site. The site was taken down for 24 hours.
• 2015 Ukraine attack:- It is considered to be the first known successful cyberattack on a power grid. On 23 Dec 2015, hackers hacked the information compromises of the energy distribution of the companies of Ukraine.
• Sony Picture hack of 2014:- Hackers on 24 Nov 2014 identified by the name “Guardian of Peace” hacked and leaked the confidential data of the film studio.

The widespread adoption of social media in 2000 increased data theft.

As the IoT evolves and smart devices become popular, more and more everyday objects such as refrigerators, washing machines, heating devices, etc are becoming more vulnerable to cyber crooks. They gain increased opportunities to penetrate the security measures and commit crimes. In the last 10 years of malware infections have increased dramatically and are still growing.

Classification of Cyber Crimes:-

There are endless ways of misusing the boon of technology which has been bestowed on us. Some people utilize the so-called effective strata to cause innumerable problems for others of the community.

1. Computer Fraud/Internet Fraud:-

It is the dishonest representation of fact intended to let another to do or refrain from doing something which causes loss in this context.

It involves a common form of theft by employees altering the data before entry or entering false data.

It involves concealing unauthorized transactions or suppressing or stealing the output.

Deletion of stored data by illegally gaining access to someone’s account.

Identity theft, theft of classified information, etc. are also types of internet fraud.

The Creation of fake IDs, hacking into email accounts are also objectionable as deemed by the law. It results in the loss of private or monetary information.

2. Cyberterrorism:-

Government agencies and information technology specialists are basically vulnerable to this type of cybercrime. It is committed through the use of cyberspace or computer resources.

It maps potential security holes in the critical system. It involves a threat against the government to advance their social or political objectives by launching a computer-based attack.

It tends to cause fear amongst people by collecting sensitive information, blackmailing, etc.

3. Cyberextortion:-

It occurs when a website, email server  or computer system is subjected to or threatened with repeated denial of service or other attacks by malicious hackers.

Cybercrime extortionists are fervently attacking corporate websites and networks, crippling their ability to operate and then demanding payments to restore their services.

4. Cybersex Trafficking:-

It is the transportation of victims and then the live streaming of coerced sexual acts or rape on webcam.

Dating pages, online chat rooms, video conferencing sites etc. are used by perpetrators to perform such crimes.

5. Cyberwarfare:-

It involves the malicious use of cyberspace and computer networks to attack enemy countries.

6. Computer Virus:-

It is a type of computer program which when executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its own code.

They are capable of causing economic damage of worth billions of dollars every year, due to system failure, wastage of computer resources, corrupting data, increasing maintenance costs or stealing personal information.

7. Malware:-

It is a malicious software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer server, client, or computer network.

Types of malware which exist are:-

• Computer viruses
• Worms
• Trojan Horses
• Ransomware
• Spyware
• Scareware

8. Identity Theft:-

The deliberate use of someone else’s identity usually, as a method to gain a financial advantage or obtain credit and other benefits by misusing the other person’s name.

It might lead to the other person’s loss or disadvantage. 

9. Information warfare:-

It is the manipulation of information trusted by the target without the awareness of the target. It involves the management of information and communication technology in pursuit of a competitive advantage over an opponent.

10. Phishing Scams:-

It is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information or data such as usernames, passwords, credit card details etc.

11. Email Spam:-

Unsolicited messages sent in bulk by emails.

12. Cyberbullying/ Cyber harassment:-

Making use of cyberspace for the purpose of obscene harassment using electronic means. It is mainly carried out on social media sites.

13. Cyberstalking:-

Use of the internet or other means to stalk or harass any individual, group, or organization.   

Cybercrime is indeed wreaking havoc in everybody’s life. Nobody seems to be safe from the clutches of this heinous aspect. It has gripped almost every field, ranging from personal accounts to high profile and greatly secured government service accounts.

Looking at the increasing illegal cybercrime cases government has enacted many laws to stop and reduce the crime rates. The provisional laws are implemented that have a significant positive response in society and crime rates get reduced.