Cyber Crime
Introduction: Cybercrime is a modern
term used in information technology. It is a crime connected with electronic
communication networks, especially the Internet. It is a dangerous crime. The
criminals involved in cybercrime are able to do more damage with a keyboard
than with a bomb. In Bangladesh cyber crime started with spam mail and Trojan
attacks. It is increasing day by day. Recently the government of Bangladesh has
set up a special tribunal in Dhaka to deal with cyber crimes.
Types of cyber crimes: Cyber crimes are
of different types and categories. It can be basically divided into three major
categories.
- Cyber crimes against the person: This type of cybercrime is done against an individual. An individual is affected by this crime.
- Cybercrime against property: This type of cybercrime is done against any property.
- Cybercrime against the government: Cybercrime against the government is conducted to humiliate or out any government. The government is affected by this crime. Criminals do this type of activity in various ways.
Hacking: The act of gaining
unauthorized access to a computer system or network and in some cases making
unauthorized use of this access.
Denial of service attack: In this case,
the criminals flood the bandwidth of the victim's network or fill his e-mail
box with spam mail depriving him of the services he is entitled to access or
provide.
Software piracy: Theft of software
through the illegal copying of any genuine program, or the counterfeiting and
distribution of products intended to pass for the original.
Credit and fraud: Credit card fraud is
increasing day by day throughout the world. The hackers or criminals stole
the credit card numbers of the users and misused these cards by impersonating the
credit card owner. The hackers withdraw money from the ATM by hacking the
credit card of other persons.
Pornography: It is a common cybercrime
all over the world and has become a global social menace. It is a deceptive tactic
and mouse-trapping technology. Pornography encourages customers to access
their websites. Anybody including children can log on to the internet and
access websites with pornography content with a click of a mouse.
Cyber defamation: The criminals send
emails that contain defamatory matters to all concerned of the victim of posting
the defamatory matters on a website. The criminals also send threatening emails
to the victims.
Cybercrime in Bangladesh: In
Bangladesh, cybercrime is increasing day by day and has drawn public attention
for the last couple of years. Cybercrime occurs mainly against individuals,
property, organizations, and society. Cybercrime against individuals can be
committed by spamming, e-mail spoofing, cyber definition and harassment, and
cyberstalking. Credit card fraud, intellectual property crimes, and internet
time theft are treated as cyber crimes against property. Cybercriminals can
commit various crimes against organizations through unauthorized access to
computers, denial of the services of virus attacks, e-mail bombings, Trojan horses, and
data bidding. Progeny and web jacking are treated as crimes against society. At
present logging and the Skype conversation are the burning issues in our
country. Pornography videos and picture uploads happen in our country on a
regular basis. Cybercriminals are engaged in carrying out harmful
activities against female students, society, state, and political and religious
beliefs using phones, websites, and different social networking sites.
Cyber tribunal: Cybercrime has become
a threat to the nation. It happens to the normal activities of the state. So it
should be controlled. Bangladesh's government has initiated a move to set up a
special tribunal called the ‘Cyber Tribunal’ in Dhaka to try to control cyber crimes
that include fraudulence, extortion, and the hacking of computer systems online.
The law ministry has issued a gazette notification on the establishment of the
tribunal under the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006 in Dhaka
to try online crimes in a speedy manner. Initially, one tribunal would be set up
in Dhaka covering the whole of Bangladesh. The law also stipulates that one or
more cyber tribunals will be set up soon.
Recommendations: Now we are living in a
cyber world. The Internet has become a part and parcel of our daily lives. So we
cannot avoid hi-tech benefits. Cybercrime is one of the few crimes that are
being spread out very quickly across the world. Since we cannot keep ourselves
away from the cyber world, we must keep ourselves safe from cybercrime by
taking the following precautions:
- Clear and self-explanatory standard operating procedures are to be imposed immediately for the cybercrime unit.
- A comprehensive induction programme should be developed for all the concerns of ICT on a pilot basis.
- A separate Cybercrime Protection Act is to be enacted.
- There must be a clear operating
procedure for cyber café and VoIP in
Bangladesh.
Conclusion: We all should be aware of
cybercrime. The Ministry of Information Technology along with the IT Professionals
and media personalities must work together to control Cybercrime. The young
generation must be conscious of this crime. Above all law enforcement
agencies must be sincere and vigilant in this regard.
