What is Cyber Stalking and Cyber Security?

Cyber security is using of techniques to protect computers, networks, programs and data from unauthorised access or attacks that are aimed for exploitation. It also includes network security which is about protecting the usability, reliability, integrity and safety of the network. 

Image credits- ARDC India

In India, the first case related to stalking through the means of internet was reported by Ritu Kohli and the term Cyber Stalking was coined. Cyber stalking is basically the repeated use of electronic communications to harass or frighten someone, by sending threat messages or mails. The cyber stalker relies on the anonymity afforded by the internet to allow them to hide their actual information and do such crimes without having their real identity revealed. It also includes finding information about someone and watching their daily activities by illegal means or unapproved behavior with the help of electronic communication devices.

Sections that deal with Cyber Stalking-

1. 62A of ITA, publication of obscene information.

2. 67 of ITA, liability of a person.

3. 66 of ITA, hacking which was later amended as an unauthorised access.

4. 79 of ITA, Intermediary

 

Important Definitions-

The definitions are as per the IT Act, 2000.

1. Computer System- means a device or collection of devices, including input and output support devices and excluding calculators which are not programmable and capable being used in conjunction with external files which contain computer programmes, electronic instructions, input data and output data that performs logic, arithmetic, data storage and retrieval, communication control and other functions.

2. Access - with its grammatical variation and cognate expressions, means entering, instructing or communicating with the logical, arithmetical or memory function resources of a computer, computer system or computer network.

3. Intermediary- with respect to any particular electronic message, means any person who on behalf of another person receives, stores or transmits that message or provides any service with respect to that message.

Types of Cyber Threats-

a. Intentional: Theft of data, phishing, manipulating.

b. Unintentional: Earthquake, power failure.

c. Social Engineering Attacks: Manipulation of large number of people to download a certain application in the name of safeguard and then looting the data and thereby using it for further wrongful gains. This is known as the concept of Scareware.

Also read - Everything you need to know about Internet Governance