Cyber Crimes

Cyber world is a term that generally refers to the use of the modern information communication devices like computer, Internet, mobile phone etc. All activities done using the information communication devices like mobile phones, computer, Internet, camera etc. which are against the law or which causes harm or defamation to persons, institutions, technical facilities etc. are considered as cyber crimes.

Let’s know about cyber safety

There is absolutely no need to mention the advantages of Internet and Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc. We have embraced their potential for communication, entertainment and information seeking.

But over the period, it is seen that a lot of teenagers are being harassed and fall prey to the abuse of Social Media. You can easily prevent yourself from being a victim, if you take a few precautionary measures while being online.

While using Mobile Phones….

• Using mobile phone while driving will lead to accidents. If you see someone using it while driving, remind them of this danger.
• Taking photos and sharing them with an aim to defame persons or institutions are offences. Remember that taking photos without one’s permission is also wrong.
• Messages which offer gifts, lottery etc. have chances of cyber spoofing. Don’t react to such messages.
• Creating false and fake messages which cause defamation to others or stand against national interest or generate rivalry among caste/religion/class is an offence. Storing such message in mobile phones, sharing them etc. are also offences.

How Social Networking sites can be dangerous

• Sharing and posting too much of personal information such as phone number, address, location, photos, etc., can be misused.
  Trusting strangers believing their profile to be true can be dangerous, as they may not be the same as stated.
• Snapshots of chats, photos, videos, etc., are saved and will be used for blackmailing and threatening.
• Being cyber bullied by posting negative, derogatory comments, posts, photos, etc. to tarnish one’s image.
• Lots of predators and adult criminals are lurking online to trap children.

Tips for safe Social Networking

• Always keep your personal information strictly personal.
• Customize your privacy settings so that others can see only the basic information.
• Just know about and manage your friends. Don’t trust all the online friends.
• Let your friends know that you are uncomfortable if they post something inappropriate about you.
• Do not publish any information that reveals your identity.
• Always use strong passwords. Don’t share them with others.
• Never share your pictures, photographs, email accounts, etc., with anyone.
• Keep your personal messages strictly personal. Once posted they are published for ever.

Things to remember while using social media

• What has been posted once cannot be taken back later on a second thought. Even before that is withdrawn, many people would have downloaded it or shared it with a number of people.
• Keep your personal information quite private. If anyone prompts you to share your personal pictures or other information, never yield to it.
• If any disaster happens in our locality we are not supposed to share any fearful or fake messages regarding them. It is offensive to create and forward fake messages.
• Strictly follow the instructions given by the Government through various media.
• Making vulgar messages and bullying are crimes as per law. Don’t get into such friendships.
• Bear in mind that those who commit cyber crimes cannot remain hidden for ever. They don’t get noticed in this huge network for a brief period only. If anyone reports such activities, the cyber police can easily track them down.
• Profiles that are put up in social media may sometimes be stolen. Someone else may use your profile to hide his/her identity. It could also be used to defame someone. If something like this comes to your notice, you can inform the police through your teacher and get them removed.

   

What arrangements can be made for the safe use of social media?

• Make maximum use of the safety systems in them and definitely configure privacy measures.
• Do not add as friends anyone you don’t know personally or trust. Remember what they reveal through the social media may not be their real self or character.

   

The Decent and The Obscene

We have seen that the Internet is a medium that works independently. We also know that many people are using its facilities for communication. A vast majority of them give correct and decent information. But it has misleading and obscene information too. Some countries, like India, restrict or ban such websites. All these controls have technological limitations. Therefore,
Decide what our needs are before connecting to the Internet. Think about the keywords that you want to search. Do not search the Internet without any specific needs.
Websites containing obscene information have many traps to attract and cheat us. Take care not to open such sites.

Security system called OTP

How can we ensure that our online transactions are secure? OTP (One Time Password) is a system for this. When our bank accounts are configured for online transactions, we have to give our mobile phone number also. Each time an online transaction is carried out, a password that can be used only for that transaction is sent to our mobile phone. The transaction can be completed only with this password.

Cyber crimes

Illegal activities or offences that are committed with the help of modern tele-communication networks such as computers, mobile phones, Internet, etc. are termed as cyber crimes. Exchanging or spreading messages, pictures or fake messages with an aim of disturbing the privacy of a person, trying to defame a person or to threaten the national security, through internet or any other social media, are grievous cyber crimes.

Cracking : A malicious act of breaking into a computer or a computer network with wrong intentions and tampering with the information in it is called Cracking.

Hacking : which examines the operating system or the software deeply and makes drastic changes in them is often wrongly referred as Cracking.
Phishing : It is an attempt to acquire sensitive personal information like password details, credit card details, etc. from a person through fake means.
Cybersquatting : It is an act of registering and using deceptive websites and address by pretending to be the official websites.
Pornography : It is an act of exchanging, exhibiting and trading obscene contents
with pictures and videos.
Cyber Terrorism : The act of using cyber technology to threaten the security, unity
and supremacy of a nation.

Cyber Laws

The cyber law that came into effect in India on October 17, 2000 is the IT Act 2000. This law was later amended in October 27, 2009. This law gives an exhaustive account of the penalties and punishment to be imposed for cyber crimes. The law is available in the link meity.gov.in/content/cyber-laws

If ever threatened or bullied seek the help of parents/teachers.