The convergence of computer networks and telecommunications facilitated by the digital technologies has given birth to a common space called ‘cyberspace’. This cyberspace has become a platform for major human activities which converge on the Internet 21st Century . The cyberspace has, in fact, become the most happening place today. Internet is increasingly being used for communication, commerce, advertising, banking, education, research and entertainment. There is hardly any human activity that is not touched by the Internet. Internet has something to offer to everybody and in the process it only increases …show more content…
As a result, a cyber-crime may invite the application of not the cyber-crime specific legislation, which is the IT Act, but also general criminal legislation, which is the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Other laws will also be applicable depending on the nature of the crime, for example, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 will be applicable to a case of online money laundering.
Cyber-crime has a widespread adverse impact, especially in view of the indispensability of the Internet in everyday life. The targets of cyber-crime include any device which can access the Internet, like a computer, Smartphone or laptop, any activity that is conducted using IT. Cyber-crimes like phishing, spamming, credit card frauds and identity theft now affect between 1-17% of the population, as compared to less than 5% for traditional crimes like burglary, robbery and car …show more content…
Apart from isolated individuals committing cyber-crime, the realm of cyber criminals has expanded to include organised and professional hackers and crackers, the ‘cyber mafia’ , and the conduct of cyber war ,cyber terrorism and cyber espionage by governments against each other. It is estimated that up to 80% of cyber-crimes today, which are involved in malware creation, botnet management, harvesting of personal and financial data, data sale, etc., are a result of organised activity. The Europol has warned of the huge potential of increase in the volume of organised cyber-crime, especially with respect to the possibility of creation of botnets of mobile phones and the vulnerability of the corporate world due to the number of private devices (individual mobile phones, laptops, etc.)