With the growing number of computer and internet users, and India becoming the third country with the largest number of internet users, there has been a steep rise in the number of virtual offences. Called cyber crime, it is said to be the next big form of crime that even has minors involved. Technology evangelist Vijay Mukhi speaks to DNA about the new emerging cyber crime trends, and guides to how government and law enforcing agencies could tackle this issue. He also speaks about how parents and family members can stop children from falling prey to it.
What are the emerging trends in the cyber crime arena nowadays?
With a number of social networking sites coming up, and a subscriber base that is larger that the population of a few European countries, the cyber mafia is now targeting such sites. Those who are members on these sites should never entertain a stranger or follow any link suggested to them, one could lose confidential information.
Other than phishing, online lottery frauds and hacking, how is the Internet being misused?
The Internet has now become an easy recruitment platform for terror groups who, through the web, are propagating their views and ideologies to lure people into joining them.
How dangerous can a cyber attack be and what problems can it lead to?
From traffic signals going off to dams being opened remotely, banks wiped out of cash, ATM networks going dead and train and air ticketing systems going haywire leading to heavy losses.
What steps should the government take to deal with such serious problems?
The American government has already taken up the issue seriously. They have an officer of the rank of general appointed as in-charge of their cyber command. They expect that the next war would not be fought on the battlefield but through the internet. The Indian government should also have a specialised wing working on internet security 24/7. We should have 500 hackers on call working for the government.
In many cases like cyber frauds and online cheating, despite tracing the computer used by the accused, nothing could be done as it was from a foreign location...
This is a global problem. India should have bilateral ties with countries on this issue which would then help nab the accused and take action against them at both places.
How can we control the large number of minors getting involved in misuse of the internet and in cyber crimes?
We need a fast-track cyber crime court to get people convicted. As there is no action taken immediately we are encouraging people to get more and more into it. Also, people don’t file cases in this regard thinking action in the case would take a decade or
even more.
How can one make personal computers secure?
One thing to remember is that nothing comes for free. Whenever one downloads free music, free software or porn, there is some malware or spyware being dropped into computers. These viruses could be later used by the cyber mafia or virus attackers to get confidential details like bank accounts, passwords, credit card numbers of the user which could be then misused. One has to keep their computer healthy by regularly updating anti virus software and avoid accessing websites that lead to foreign links
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