Computer crime, or cyber crime, is a crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. 

Dr. Debarati Halder and Dr. K. Jaishankar (2011) define Cyber crimes as: “Offences that are committed against individuals or groups of individuals with a criminal motive to intentionally harm the reputation of the victim or cause physical or mental harm, or loss, to the victim directly or indirectly, using modern telecommunication networks such as Internet (Chat rooms, emails, notice boards and groups) and mobile phones (SMS/MMS)”. 

Such crimes may threaten a nation’s security and financial health. Issues surrounding these types of crimes have become high-profile, particularly those surrounding hacking, copyright infringement, child pornography, and child grooming. There are also problems of privacy when confidential information is intercepted or disclosed, lawfully or otherwise. Dr.Debarati Halder and Dr.K.Jaishankar(2011) further define cyber crime from the perspective of gender and defined ‘cyber crime against women’ as ““Crimes targeted against women with a motive to intentionally harm the victim psychologically and physically, using modern telecommunication networks such as the internet and mobile phones”.

Dr.Debarati Halder and Dr.K.Jaishankar(2011) further define cyber crime from the perspective of gender and defined ‘cyber crime against women’ as ““Crimes targeted against women with a motive to intentionally harm the victim psychologically and physically, using modern telecommunication networks such as the internet and mobile phones”.

Internationally, both governmental and non-state actors engage in cyber crimes, including espionage, financial theft, and other cross-border crimes. Activity crossing international borders and involving the interests of at least one nation state is sometimes referred to as cyber warfare. The international legal system is attempting to hold actors accountable for their actions through the International Criminal Court.

A report (sponsored by McAfee) estimates that the annual damage to the global economy is at $445 billion; however, a Microsoft report shows that such survey-based estimates are “hopelessly flawed” and exaggerate the true losses by orders of magnitude. Approximately $1.5 billion was lost in 2012 to online credit and debit card fraud in the US.

India has emerged as a favorite among cyber criminals, most hackers and other malicious users who use the Internet to commit crimes such as identity theft, spamming, phishing and other types of fraud.

As per the study’s findings, a total number of cyber crimes registered during 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 stood at 13,301, 22,060, 71,780 and 1,49,254 respectively.

“What is causing, even more, a concern is that the origin of these crimes is widely based abroad in countries like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Algeria, among others,” Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said.

Phishing attacks of online banking accounts or cloning of ATM/debit cards are common occurrences. The maximum number of offenders belong to the 18-30 age group, added the report.

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Content Courtesy: Wikipedia, Indian Express