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Cyber Crime, Cyber
Laws and Intellectual
property rights
Characteristics of Cyber Crime
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Borderless and A person in one country can target systems or people in
Transnational another country. This makes it difficult to control and
investigate these crimes.
Anonymity Cybercriminals can hide their real identities by using fake
names, addresses, or locations. This makes it difficult for
law enforcement to track and catch them
No Physical Presence They need not to be physically present at the crime scene,
Needed can be committed remotely. Only requirement is a
computer or a device connected to internet. Easy crime
hard to detect
Technologically Driven use special tools and skills to hack systems, steal data, or
commit fraud. Their methods evolve as technology
advances. This makes it hard for law enforcement to keep
up.
Rapid Evolution The nature of cybercrimes changes quickly. New threats
appear every day, such as phishing, hacking, identity
theft, and ransomware.
Characteristics of Cyber Crime
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Lack of Unlike traditional crimes they leave no physical evidence.
Evidence The evidence in cybercrimes is usually digital. This digital
evidence can be easily hidden, changed, or deleted.
Different Motive They commit crimes for financial gain, revenge, data
theft, spreading misinformation, or even political reasons
Complicated Jurisdiction Cybercrimes affect victims in different parts of the world.
Each country has its own laws. This makes investigating
and prosecuting these crimes difficult and complicated.
Targeting Everyone (Can target anyone) Individuals may face identity theft or
cyberbullying. Businesses can suffer financial fraud or
data breaches. Even governments are targeted for stealing
classified information or disrupting services.
Invisible Attacker Cybercriminals do not need to be visible. They attack
through malware, viruses, or phishing emails. All of these
can be done remotely. The lack of a visible attacker makes
it difficult to deal with cybercrime
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Scope of Cyber Crime
Cybercrime is broad and it include all illegal activities that target different aspects of digital
interactions
1. Cybercrimes Against Individuals : it includes crimes targeting people directly. It involves
activities like child pornography, online harassment, and the spread of obscene material or sending
abusive emails. They can severely affect the victim's privacy and safety.
2. Cybercrimes Against Property: mainly target digital assets or property. These include
computer vandalism, where a person destroys or damages someone else's digital property, or
spreading harmful programs like viruses and malware. Such crimes results in data loss or disrupt
business operations. Eg: Flipkart account hack via malicious apk
3. Cybercrimes Against Government: they’re aimed at harming government institutions or
systems. Cyber terrorism is a major example, involving hacking into government or military
systems. The goal is often to threaten national security or create fear among citizens. This type of
crime can have serious consequences, including threats to public safety and stability. Eg:
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) network was infiltrated using a powerful malware
Dtrack. (North Korea) – it was a targeted intrusion into nuclear facility.
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Motivations of Cyber Crime
Their motives can range from making money to causing harm for personal satisfaction.
1. Financial Gain: Criminals steal credit card details, personal data, or break into bank
accounts. For example, ransomware attacks are used to demand money from victims by
locking their files until they pay a fee
2. Political or Ideological Goals: Some cybercriminals have political or social causes.
They attack government websites to spread their message or leak sensitive information.
Their aim is to challenge authorities or bring attention to an issue.
3. Revenge or Personal Reasons: Some are motivated by revenge or anger. Individuals
may hack into systems or harass others online due to personal grudges
4. Corporate Espionage: Cybercriminals may hack into a company's system to steal
trade secrets. This is done to help a competing company gain an advantage.
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6. Curiosity and Challenge: Some people hack into systems out of curiosity or for the thrill
of the challenge. They may not intend to cause harm. For example, a young hacker might
break into a school's system just to see if they can do it. This often leads to serious
consequences, even if done for fun.
7. Personal Satisfaction (Gratification): Some commit cybercrimes for their own pleasure.
They get satisfaction from causing harm or controlling other people's data.
8. Terrorism: Cyber terrorists use digital attacks to create fear and panic. They target
important systems like power grids or communication networks.
Consequences of Cyber Crime
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Cybercrime has harmful effects on individuals, businesses, and governments. The impact can be
financial, emotional, or related to national security.
Financial Loss: Cybercrime results in significant financial losses for both individuals and
businesses. Individuals may lose their savings, while businesses face major losses due to data
breaches or ransomware.
Loss of Personal Data and Privacy: Cybercriminals steal personal data like passwords and
banking details. This can lead to identity theft. It causes long-lasting harm to victims' financial
stability and reputation.
Emotional Distress: Victims of cyberbullying and online harassment face serious emotional
problems. They may experience stress, anxiety, or depression. This emotional impact affects their
daily lives.
Damage to Business Reputation: Businesses suffer severe reputational damage after a cyber
attack. Customers lose trust in companies that cannot protect their data. This leads to financial
losses and loss of customers..
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5. Operational Disruption: Cyber attacks can disrupt the normal operations of businesses.
Denial-of-Service (DoS) or Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks can make websites or
services unavailable for hours or even days. This prevents customers from accessing services and
causes business losses.
6. Legal Consequences: Cybercrimes can also lead to legal problems for victims and companies.
Businesses that do not protect customer data may face fines and legal actions. Victims may have to
spend time and money dealing with identity theft or financial fraud.
7. Threats to National Security: Governments are often targets of cybercrime. Cyber terrorism
involves attacking government websites or critical infrastructure, such as power grids. These
attacks can disrupt essential services and threaten national security.
8. Social and Economic Impact: Cybercrime causes serious social and economic problems.
Businesses may need to cut jobs because of financial losses. The high cost of recovery burdens the
economy and affects overall productivity.
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Reduced Trust in Digital Systems: Increasing cybercrime makes people avoid using online
services. Many hesitate to use online banking or share personal information. This reduces the
growth of digital systems and limits technological advancement.
Increased Cost for Cybersecurity: To counter cyber threats, both individuals and businesses must
invest heavily in cybersecurity solutions. This adds financial strain, especially for small businesses
with limited budgets.
