Cybercrime is criminal behaviour that involves gaining unauthorised access to computer systems. Here’s a brief on how to complain about cybercrime.
Cybercrime is any illegal act that uses a computer, a networked device, or the internet. Most cybercrimes are done to make money for those who do them, but some are done directly to computers or devices to damage or stop them from working. Others utilise computers or networks to disseminate malware, images, illegal information, or other materials.
Some cybercrimes target computers to corrupt them with a computer virus, spreading to other machines and, in some cases, entire networks.
Losing money is among the worst things that can happen because of cybercrime. Many profit-driven criminal activity types can get classified as cybercrime, including ransomware attacks, email and internet fraud, identity fraud, and attempts to steal financial accounts, credit cards, or other payment card information.
Cybercriminals may steal and resell an individual’s private information or corporate data. Let’s know in detail what cybercrimes are and how to complain about cyber crime in Mumbai.
Types of Cybercrimes
Botnets
Botnets are networks of compromised computers that hackers remotely control. Hackers in other places can then use these botnets to send spam or attack other computers. Botnets can also be used to perform malicious tasks and act as malware.
Identity theft
When criminals access a user’s personal information, they can steal funds, access confidential information, or commit tax or health insurance crimes. They can also get a phone/internet account, plan criminal activity, and apply for government benefits using your name. They may accomplish this by hacking into user accounts, obtaining personal information from social media, or sending phishing emails.
Cyberstalking
This type of cybercrime involves online harassment, in which the user gets bombarded with messages and emails.
Cyberstalkers typically use social media, websites, emails, and search engines to intimidate and fear a user. Typically, cyberstalker knows their victim and makes them feel threatened or concerned about their safety.
Social engineering
Social engineering is a way for thieves to get in touch with you directly, usually by phone or email. They try to gain your trust and typically pose as a customer service representative, so you will provide the necessary information.
The information asked is usually a password, the name of your employer, or bank information.
Cyber criminals will get as much information about you as they can on the internet and then try to add you to their friendliest social media accounts. They can sell your information or get accounts open in your name once they have access to your account.
Phishing
In this cyber attack, hackers use malicious email attachments or URLs to access users’ accounts or computers.
Cybercriminals are becoming more well-established, and many of these emails are not classified as spam. Users get tricked into selecting or clicking on links in emails that say they need to change their passcode or update billing information, and this gives criminals access to the user’s account.
Illegal/prohibited content
Criminals engage in this cybercrime by sharing and distributing inappropriate content that can be highly distressing and offensive.
Offensive content can incorporate but is not limited to sexual activity between adults, violent videos, and criminal activity videos.
Illegal content incorporate materials advocating terrorism-related acts and child exploitation. This content can be found on the regular internet and the dark web.
Internet scams
These are typically in the form of advertisements or spam emails with promises of rewards or offers of unrealistic amounts of money.
Scams on the internet include enticing offers that appear “too good to be true” and, when clicked on, can cause malware to interfere with and compromise information.
Exploitation kits
Exploiting kits require a vulnerability (a bug in a software’s code) to gain control of a user’s computer. They are ready-made tools that criminals can purchase online and use against anyone who has access to a computer.
The exploit kits, like regular software, are updated regularly and are available on dark web hacking forums.
What is cybercrime against the government?
Groups of people who intend to threaten international governments by using internet facilities commit certain offences. It includes the following:
Terrorism in the cyberspace
Cyberterrorism is a significant concern both at home and around the world. Terrorist attacks on the internet typically take the form of distributed denial of service attacks, hate websites and emails, attacks on sensitive computer networks, etc. Cyberterrorism activities endanger the nation’s sovereignty and integrity.
Cyber conflict
Cyber conflict refers to malicious hacking and spying for political purposes. It is information warfare sometimes compared to conventional war, though this comparison is debatable due to its accuracy and political motivation.
Pirated software distribution
This cybercrime entails transferring pirated software from one computer to another with the intent of erasing government data and records.
Unauthorised information possession
Terrorists can easily obtain any information using the internet and use that information for political, religious, social, or ideological purposes.
Cybercrime complain—The Process
The team of people who look into crimes has been setting up cyber crime cells in different cities in India. These cells handle reports of cyber crimes and look into them. At the moment, most Indian cities have cyber crime cells. You can talk to the cyber police or the criminal investigation department at any time, either in person or online.
The first and most important thing to get cyber crime punished is filing a complaint. You must send a written complaint to any jurisdiction’s cyber crime cell. You must enter your name, contact information, and mailing address in the written complaint. You should send the written complaint to the Head of the Cyber Crime Cell in the city where the crime happened.
According to the IT Act, cybercrime is subject to global jurisdiction. It means that a complaint about cybercrime can be filed with any of India’s cyber cells, no matter where the crime was initially committed or where the victim is currently staying.
How to file an FIR for a cybercrime?
If you can’t access any of India’s cyber cells, you can file a First Information Report (FIR) at your local police station. You can go to the city’s Commissioner or the Judicial Magistrate if they don’t take your complaint.
The IPC covers some types of cybercrime. To tell the police about them, you can file a cyber crime FIR at the nearest local police station. Per Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code, every police officer must write down any information or complaints about a crime, no matter where the crime happened.
How to file an online Cyber Crime Report?
A victim can file a cyber crime in Mumbai online at https://cybercrime.gov.in/Accept.aspx. It is a Government of India initiative which handles complaints about:
- Online Child Pornography (CP),
- Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), or
- sexually explicit content like Rape/Gang Rape (CP/RGR) content,
- as well as other cyber crimes like social media crimes, online financial frauds, ransomware, hacking, cryptocurrency crimes, and online cyber trafficking.
The portal also lets you anonymously report Child Pornography (CP) or other sexually explicit content, such as Rape/Gang Rape (RGR) content. If you wish to report a cybercrime online, you can do so by taking the steps below:
Step 1: Go to https://cybercrime.gov.in/Accept.aspx.
STEP 2: On the menu, click “Report other cyber crimes.”
STEP 3: Click on “File a Complaint”
Step 4: Look over the terms and agree to them.
Step 5: Register your phone number and fill in your name and State.
Step 6: Fill in the information about the crime.
Is hacking a cybercrime?
Although hacking is not always malicious, it is most frequently linked to cybercriminals’ online crime and data theft.
To Conclude:
Cybercrime has become a significant problem with the increased use of computers and the internet. The advancement of technology has rendered man reliant on the internet for all of his needs. The internet has provided man with access to everything sitting in one location. Social networking, online studying, online shopping, online jobs, and everything else that man can think of can be done via the internet.
Cybercrime is distinct from other types of crime that occur in society. It has no geographical boundaries, and the cybercriminals are unknown. It affects all stakeholders, from the government to businesses to citizens. With the increased use of information and communication technology in India, cybercrime is rising (ICT). If you or your near ones have been a victim of cybercrime in Mumbai or any other region, follow the steps mentioned in this article to file a cyber crime complaint.
