Analysis and Prevention Techniques of Cyber Crime

Abstract
As we are all aware that in todays world most of things, whether it be online education or online
transactions, are done using internet. This internet technology has also been used by few people for
carring out criminal activities. Criminals that indulge in cyber crimes used their knowledge to gain
benefits quickly. They used their expertise to steal, deceive and exploit people as they find it easy to
earn money without having to do an honest day’s work. Though, various measures have been
provided including cyber law, for avoiding cyber crimes, there is no warranty that following these
measures will prevent one from being victim of cyber crime. To discuss the notion of cyber crime, this
essay analyzes the meaning, types, and ways to avoid cyber crime.
Introduction
Cyber crime evolved since 1990 when computers and networks came in to being. The types of
attacks gradually grew from “Morris code worm” in 1997 to “Torjan” in 2004 and to “Ransom ware “
attack in 2013. When computers and networks came into being in the 1990s, hacking was done
basically to get more information about the systems. Initially, these hacking attempts were brushed off
as mere nuisance as they did not pose a long-term threat. However, with malicious software
becoming ubiquitous during the same period, hacking started making networks and systems slow. As
hackers became more skillful, they started using their knowledge and expertise to gain benefit by
exploiting and victimizing others. Wherever the rate of return on investment is high and the risk is low,
you are bound to find people willing to take advantage of the situation. This is exactly what happens
in cyber crime. Accessing sensitive information and data and using it means a rich harvest of returns.
Catching such criminals is also very difficult. Hence, this has led to a rise in cyber crime across the
world. Today, criminals that indulge in cyber crimes are not driven by ego or expertise. Instead, they
want to use their knowledge to gain benefits quickly. They are using their expertise to steal, deceive
and exploit people as they find it easy to earn money without having to do an honest day’s work.
Meaning

The World Wide Web sounds like a vast phenomenon but surprisingly one of its qualities is bringing
the world closer making it a smaller place to live in for its users. However, it has also managed to
create another problem for people who spend long hours browsing the Cyber World – which is cyber
crimes. When any crime is committed over the Internet it is referred to as a cyber crime. Cyber crimes
have become a real threat today and are quite different from old-school crimes, such as robbing,
mugging or stealing. Unlike these crimes, cyber crimes can be committed single handedly and does
not require the physical presence of the criminals. The crimes can be committed from a remote
location and the criminals need not worry about the law enforcement agencies in the country where
they are committing crimes.
Types of Cyber Crime

People all over the world use the Internet to commit a host of crimes, some of which the public
doesn't even know are capable of being done electronically. The most common Internet crimes are as
follows:
1. Phising/Spoofing: Unlawfully accessing a computer without authorization and sending multiple e-
mails; resending multiple commercial email messages with the intent to deceive recipients; or
falsifying header information in multiple email messages.
2. Blackmail/Extortion: Using the Internet to threaten to cause damage with the intent to extort
from any person any money or other thing of value.
3. Accessing Stored Communications: Intentionally accessing, without authorization, a facility
through which an electronic communication service is provided.
4. Sports Betting: Engaging in the business of betting or wagering on any sporting event or contest
over the Internet.
5. Non-Delivery of Merchandise: Devising any scheme to defraud, or for obtaining money or
property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, or promises, and using the Internet for the
purpose of executing the scheme.
6. Electronic Harassment: Anonymously using the Internet to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass
the person who receives the communication.
7. Child Pornography: Using the Internet to transmit child pornography.
8. Prostitution: Persuading, inducing, enticing, or coercing any individual to travel in interstate
commerce to engage in prostitution.
9. Drug Trafficking: Delivering, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance by means of the
Internet.
10. Criminal Copyright Infringement: Infringing a copyright for financial gain...or by distributing a
work being prepared for commercial distribution on a computer network.

Avoiding Cyber Crime

Anti-Virus Software

In the 1980s, computer viruses were generally passed from one user to another user via floppy disks.
Hence, users in the 1980s did not need anti-virus software if they both (1) only purchased software
from reputable sources and (2) never copied programs from floppy disks provided by their friends and
colleagues. Three developments in the 1990s made anti-virus software essential for all computer
users:
1. It became common to distribute software and updates via downloads from the Internet,
2. Hackers developed viruses that were delivered inside macros for Microsoft Word, which
malicious macros could be hidden inside a document sent by e-mail, and
3. Hackers developed malicious computer programs that were commonly distributed as
attachments to e-mail: clicking on the attachment executed the malicious computer program and
infected the victim's computer.

Since everyone uses e-mail and nearly everyone will download executable software from the Internet,
everyone should have a good anti-virus program running on their machine. As a virus, worm, or other
malicious program can be transmitted via an attachment to e-mail, one should rigorously follow three
rules:
 1. Never open an executable attachment.
2. Never open any attachment from an unknown source.
3. Be cautious of any attachment that has a double file extension, especially when the rightmost
file extension is an executable file type.

Firewall

It is good practice to erect a 'firewall' between parts of a computer system that an external user can
access (e.g., via modem or Internet or voice mail) and parts that are supposedly accessible only by a
local user. Many hackers run programs that randomly search the Internet and probe ports on
computers that are connected to the Internet. If the hacker finds a port that is 'open', the hacker might
be able to access that computer and view/alter/delete files on that computer. Worse, hackers may
also hijack the victim's computer and use it to launch their illegal attacks on other computers.
Avoiding harassment

For casual on-line activities, you can establish a free e-mail account at Yahoo, HotMail, or some other
provider, and use an alias for that account. If someone harasses or stalks you, then you simply close
that account and chose another alias. In other words, you adopt a disposable identity for your life in
cyberspace. Never give out your real name, address, city, telephone number, or other identifying
information to a stranger in a chat room, computer bulletin board, or other public place. The only
connection between phishing and computers is that modern phishing uses e-mail and a bogus
website to get a gullible person to disclose personal financial information to criminals. That having
been said, it is worthwhile to alert people to the existence of phishing. People first encounter phishing
when they receive a fraudulent e-mail that typically purports to be from a bank, credit card company,
or other financial institution. The e-mail might mention something about your account is suspended
until you 'verify', 'update', or 'validate' some information. The e-mail invites you to click on a link in the
e-mail. The link typically takes you to a webserver located in a foreign country and operated by
criminals, who display webpages with the logo and trademarks of a bank, credit card company, or
government agency, which makes the webpage appear legitimate. The bogus webpage asks you to
supply your account numbers, passwords, and other personal information (e.g., Social Security
number, date of birth, mother's maiden name) that can be used to fraudulently access your financial
accounts and perpetrate identity theft crimes.
Backups

If a computer virus or an invading hacker deletes your files, or either one corrupts your files, the
easiest way to restore your computer may be to reformat the hard drive(s) and then copy files from a
recent backup. Backups also offer protection from more common (and less exotic) threats such as
accidental deletion of a file by an authorized user or failure of a hard disk drive.
Cyber Law
Cyber Law took birth in order to take control over the crimes committed through the internet or the
cyberspace or through the uses of computer resources. According to Wikipedia “The Information
Technology Act, 2000 (also known as ITA-2000, or the IT Act) is an act of the Indian Parliament (no
21 of 2000), it was notified on 17th October 2000. It is the most important law in India that deals with
the digital crimes or cyber crimes and electronic commerce. It is based on the United Nations Model
Law on Electronic Commerce 1996 (UNCITRAL Model) recommended by the General Assembly of
United Nations by a resolution dated 30 January 1997”.
Conclusion
To conclude the essay, cyber crime has become great threat to mankind. Protection against
cybercrime is a vital part for social, cultural and security aspect of a country. The Government of India
has enacted IT Act, 2000 to deal with cybercrimes. Any part of the world cyber crime could be
originated passing national boundaries over the internet creating both technical and legal complexities
of investigating and prosecuting these crimes. The international harmonizing efforts, coordination and
co-operation among various nations are required to take action towards the cyber crimes. There is no
warranty that following these suggestions will prevent one from being a victim of computer crime, but
at least one can make it a little harder for a criminal, and maybe the criminal will find an easier target.
References
https://www.slideshare.net/bharadwajchetan/an-introduction-to-cyber-law-it-act-2000-india
https://cybercrime.org.za/definition
http://www.cyberlawsindia.net/cyber-india.html
Dorothy E. Denning, Information Warfare and Security, Addison- Wesley Publishing Co., 1998.
Dorothy E. Denning and Peter J. Denning, Internet Besieged, Addison- Wesley Publishing Co.,
1997.
Peter J. Denning (editor), Computers Under Attack, Addison- Wesley Publishing Co., 1990.
Peter G. Neumann, Computer –Related Risks, Addison – Wesley Publishing Co., 1995.

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