If the almighty creators of social media aren’t spared from the fury of hackers across the world, then a common man surely doesn’t stand. Consequently, hearing “My account has been hacked” has been a norm in this era of digitally powered lives. The harsh truth is (Arguably), no account is safe. Not even your bank account. Any kind of wrongful acts or a crime that is committed with the use of technology is considered to be an act of Cyber Crime.
With the government and our revered Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi, taking steps to make our country a digital one. Our lives are oscillating between, becoming sophisticated and easy due to the advancements in technology and leaning towards an advanced state of cybercrime.
Hence, it is important to know how to report a cybercrime incident once the breach has happened.
The cybercrime department deals with both online and offline complaints. The Cybercrime Unit of the police is especially trained to handle any matters regarding technology that contribute to causing digital damages.
Indian Government has enabled its citizens to make a cybercrime complaint, both online and offline. Similarly, one can simply call and register the complaint on (contact no), or use the online facility to register the complaint depending upon the urgency of help required for the victim.
Types of Cyber Crimes in India
We do get to see ample plenty versions of cybercrime in our country; however, the following are the six most prevalent that we get to hear about often.
- Hacking – The most common version of cybercrime that one registers these days is Hacking. When an individual or a group of people, break into someone else’s computer/system virtually to gain access to sensitive and personal information, it qualifies as hacking.
- Cyber Stalking – A crime which is usually committed against women, where they are harassed by obscene messages, images or videos. It’s the second most common kind of cybercrime to be registered in the county.
- Identity Theft – In this, money from the victim’s bank account is siphoned off by gaining access to victim’s personal bank accounts, debit card or credit card details.
- Cyberbullying – When any kind of digital medium is used to harass, intimidate or defame a person it is considered as an act of cyberbullying.
- Cyber Terrorism – When an individual or an organization is threatened or extorted for any reason it qualifies to be an act of Cyber Terrorism.
- Child Soliciting and Abuse – When a child is solicited with the purpose of making child pornography, it is considered to be a form of cybercrime as well.
How to report a Cybercrime in India?
The Cybercrime investigation department has been established in every city; however, there are some steps one needs to follow. Below mentioned is the procedure on how to report a Cybercrime.
- An application letter is to be addressed to the head of the cybercrime cell division, stating the facts of the complaints, along with the victim’s name, address and contact number.
- In order to register a complaint, certain documents need to be attached along with the complaint, stating the facts. The list of documents attached varies according to the nature of the cybercrime committed against the victim.
- Server Logs
- If a person if defaced on a website, a copy of the webpage in both soft and hard format needs to be attached.
- If the data of a person is hacked, on his server, computer or any other equipment, then a soft, as well as hard copy of the original document and the compromised version, is to be attached.
- The victim’s computer accessibility details or email is to be shared.
- A list of names that the victim suspects
- Some other questions that need to be addressed are as follows –
- What data was compromised by the hacker?
- Which individual or group could be responsible for the compromise of data?
- When was the system compromised?
- What could be the probable reasons for the systems to be compromised?
- Where would be the impact of the attack? Identifying the target system from the network?
- The number of systems that have been compromised by the attack.
Documents required for email abuse or vulgar email
- The header of the offending email
- Soft as well as a hard copy of the offending email.
- A copy of the offending email from the inbox as well as the hard drive.
Documents required registering a complaint against a firm that has committed online fraud or duped someone online
- Details of the purchase of the product/s
- The amount and date of the purchase
- Details of the company such as the name, website and contact details of the company
- Facts of how the company committed fraud against the victim
- Details of other people who have suffered the same fate at the hands of the company in question (If Available)
- Any other relevant information
Consequences and Solution for Cybercrime
It is important to understand that the consequences of Cybercrime are borne by the victim and hence it is important to know how to report cybercrime.
Given, in India, we follow different processes and procedures, it’s important to know the appropriate format in which the complaint should be made.
A complaint should be registered if the following consequences have taken place –
- Data and Revenue Lose– Cybercrime done against an organization of any stature, which has resulted into data breach and theft, virus attack, loss of revenue or any other security incident, should be reported immediately.
- Damage to Reputation – The reputation of an organization can be compromised after a security incident.
- The aftermath of a Terror Attack – One of the most serious attacks of cybercrime that has the capability to affect many people at the same time. It can strip a country of its resources; weaken its economy making it susceptible to a military attack.
Given the rise in the occurrences of security breaches that happen across the world, one must ensure they use a complete protection to safeguard the security and safety of their family, with organizations could preach the old adage of prevention is better than cure and find existing vulnerabilities in their network to plug it in, before a cyber-attack occurs.
In an unfortunate scenario, if a security breach still occurs, it is necessary to observe the above-mentioned steps to mitigate the damage done by the Cyber Criminals.
To register a complaint against any cybercrime click here
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