Introduction
As Covid-19 has affected many countries and India being one of them. Cyber crimes are constantly expanding in these troublesome occasions and lockdown is the only prevention in this disease thereby we all rely more on the Internet, mobile devices, computer systems, etc. This becomes a major advantage for the cybercriminals to exploit people by hacking their data as well as they are developing a number of malicious websites that offer information or advice related to the pandemic.
According to the research, In mid February, numbers of domains that are related to coronavirus being registered and the phishing activities done by emails that induce individuals to reveal their personal information such as credit number, passwords, etc. and there are some websites from which malware is downloaded. In April, 17,000 domains had been registered and around 2% were found to be malicious and another 21% were doubtful and almost 68000 domains related to coronavirus had been registered since January.
Indian's National Cyber Crime Security Coordinator (NCSC) Lt. Gen. Rajesh pant, reported that thousands of fake websites had been launched by cyber criminals that tempt thousands of Indians to contribute or donate money. 'PM CARES FUND' was established by the PM and half of the dozen fake sites of the PM CARES FUND have been created by hackers . More than 8000 people had duped into giving money to these fake websites.
In Maharashtra, 400 cases filed of hate speech and communal harmony. Reports said that out of 400 cases , 324 pertain to some kind of hate speech that stem From the covid-19 linked to the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi. Maharashtra police came across malicious messages being circulated with intention to cheat people. Posting and circulating offensive, abusive, defamatory posts or messages is prosecutable under Information Technology Act,2000.
CYBER CRIME AGAINST WOMEN
As per National Commission For Women (NCW) data , there has been growing the rate of cyber crimes against women during lockdown . They received a total 412 complaints of cyber abuse , especially sextortion till April 25 and out of these ,396 cases were serious that included malicious emails, obscene pictures, offensive messages, ransom demands, blackmail etc. During lockdown, people are getting into online relationships and exchange their private images that lead to sextortion cases. According to the NCW, there is a racket going on where hackers send mails to the women that their phone and laptops have been hacked and in return, they demand money. Moreover, they threaten women that their morphed image will be shared in social media or with all your contacts.
CYBER CRIME AGAINST INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATION
Zoom app is introduced that avail the facilities of video calls that helps the organisation as well as educational institutions. Zoom app is an online platform which enables video conferencing and chat facilities. The use of this app increases due to the lockdown but this app intentionally leaks information or data to the third parties. It enables the hackers to get access in the meeting and collecting the data of the users and stores recordings and instant messages .It violates right to privacy under Article 21 of Indian constitution.
Plea In Supreme Court to ban 'Zoom' video conferencing application
- On 22 May, A bench with three judges headed by Chief justice SA Bobde issued a notice to the centre on this plea for the privacy concern of the users issued a notice to the centre to ban the use of video conferencing app 'zoom' for official and personal purposes.
- The petition filed by a Delhi resident Harsh Chugh a ban on the usage of zoom app as this app violates the privacy of the users by misusing their data.
- The plea said that Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)- the nodal cyber security agency, also warned about the cyber risks in using the zoom app
- The PIL also said that the CEO of zoom app , Eric S. Yuan had publicly apologized for routing traffic through China that monitored by the government.
- Various High Court still using this app for court hearings. The kerala High Court started live streaming of court hearings in this app . The Bombay High Court also decided to hear live matters on this video conferencing app - the plea stated.
- It has alleged that the app is falsely claiming that the video calls are end-to-end encrypted when they are not and it is violating the Information Technology Act,2000 and Information Technology (Procedure and safeguards for interception, monitoring and Decrypted of Information) Rules,2009.
Recent studies indicate that about 1/3rd of Indian business leaders of small and medium business fear that their business is likely to experience a serious cybercrime during Covid-19.
HOW INDIAN AUTHORITIES COMBATING THE SITUATION
- Under section 69A of Information Technology Act,2000 , the government has power to block the website or issue directions to report the URLS if they threatens the security, sovereignty, foreign relations, public order etc of the state. Government authority's request ISP to block the domain's website if it is illegal and it is added to the blacklist and also authorities can request ISP for blocking the full domain.
- Court order can also help for blocking of websites
CONCLUSION
Cybercrime is a global issue that is being faced by almost every country in the world. The rise in technology and modern gadgets have made the human work simple and lifestyle easy. The technology is truly a blessing for humans but yet the problem of its being misused making the use of it difficult and spreading the terrorism. Use of technology is easy and safe as far as we are using it with precautions but strict implications of law are in a strong need to remove the problem of cybercrime, as the rise of it will create problems and spread threat, dishonesty and chaos in the society.
About Author(s)
Name of the author :- Abhay Yadav
Co-author :- Muskan Sharma
College name: - Fairfield institute of management and technology (affiliated to GGSIPU).
Year of study:- 2nd year / BBA LL.B
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