Cybercrimes

Introduction

Cybercrimes are offences that may be committed against individuals, companies, or institutions by using the internet, computers or mobile technology. It is a crime consisting of computers and networks. This comprises a broad range of activities, from illegally downloading music files to stealing money from online bank accounts. Cybercrimes involve non-monetary offences as well.

• It can comprise frauds like job-related frauds, defamation of an individual on social media, matrimonial frauds, stealing and misusing sensitive personal data (Aadhaar details, credit/debit card details, bank account credentials, etc.) and distribution of computer viruses etc. 
• India ranks 2nd in terms of the highest number of Internet customers in the world after China. The number has increased 6-fold between 2012-2017, with a compound annual growth rate of around 44%. 
• India secures a spot among the top 10 spam-sending nations in the world. 
• India was ranked among the top five nations to be affected by various cybercrime activities, according to a report released in October 2020 by online security farm ‘Symantec’.