In India, cyber laws are contained in the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) which came into force on October 17, 2000. The main purpose of the Act is to provide legal recognition to electronic commerce and to facilitate filing of electronic records with the Government.
Importance of Cyber Law in India
Cyber laws in India or cybercrime law in India are important because of the prime reason that cybercrime act in India encompasses and covers all the aspects which occur on or with the internet – transactions, and activities which concern the internet and cyberspace.
Types of Cyber Crimes
Different types of cybercrimes have different punishments in India.
- Identity theft – When personal information of a person is stolen with the purpose of using their financial resources or to take a loan or credit card in their name then such a crime is known as Identity theft.
- Cyberterrorism – When a threat of extortion or any kind of harm is being subjected towards a person, organization, group or state, it is known as the crime of Cyber Terrorism. Generally, it includes the well-planned attack strategies on the Government and corporate computer system.
- Cyberbullying – When a teenager or adolescent harasses, defames, or intimidates someone with the use of the internet, phone, chat rooms, instant messaging or any other social network then the person is said to be committing the crime of Cyberbullying. When the same crime is done by adults it is known as Cyberstalking.
- Hacking – The most common cybercrime is Hacking. In this crime, the person gets access to other people’s computers and passwords to use it for their own wrongful gain.
- Defamation – While every individual has his or her right to speech on internet platforms as well, but if their statements cross a line and harm the reputation of any individual or organization, then they can be charged with the Defamation Law.
- Copyright – With the massive surge in internet users, when the data/ information is distributed on all platforms, copyrighting your work aids you to restrict the use of your work. Any use of your copyrighted without your permission is a punishable offence.
- Trade Secrets – Internet organization spends a lot of their time and money in developing softwares, applications, and tools and rely on Cyber Laws to protect their data and trade secrets against theft; doing which is a punishable offence.
- Freedom of Speech – When it comes to the internet, there is a very thin line between freedom of speech and being a cyber-offender. As freedom of speech enables individuals to speak their mind, cyber law refrains obscenity and crassness over the web.
- Harassment and Stalking – Harassment and stalking are prohibited over internet platforms as well. Cyber laws protect the victims and prosecute the offender against this offence.
How to Prevent Cyber Crime?
No doubt that the cybersecurity laws or cyber laws in India provide protection from cybercrime. However, prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, one should take the following steps for preventing a cybercrime:
- Unsolicited text message – We all get text messages from an unknown number. One should be cautious and try to avoid responding to text messages or automated voice messages from an unknown number.
- Downloads on the mobile phone – Download everything on the mobile phone from a trustworthy source only.
- Rating and feedback – Always check for the seller’s rating and feedback of customers for the seller. Be sure that you are checking current feedbacks. Also, beware of feedbacks that are 100% seller favoring or have an entry on the same date.
- Personal Information Request – Everyone must have received a call or mail. In which, the person on the other side asks for personal information. This includes your card CVV or an mail containing an attachment, which requires you to click on embedded links. Be sure to never respond to such emails or calls.