Cybercrime and Coronavirus: An Infodemic

In case u feel have encounter any cyberattack, report cyber police. 

Helpline Number – 155260 (09:00 AM To 06:00 PM)

Below given link provides contact information of cyber officer of different state/UT of India: https://cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/Crime_NodalGrivanceList.aspx

Introduction

COVID-19 pandemic continues to take hold of various geographical locations; it’s one of the parasites which have taken everyone by surprise by remarkably expanding across the globe. Parasite like Cybercrime is a predator preying on the fear of the corona virus.

Amidst the Lockdown, we are all heavily relying on technology and the internet for accessing information. Especially the workforce working from home and students. Hence, it is a golden opportunity for cyber-criminals to turn the tables in their favor; and that too at a time when we are in between the worst health crisis in recent history.

Cyber Threats

There are a variety of cyber threats by which cyber-criminals take advantage. It’s better to be aware of every threat and be cautious than finding a cure later on:

Zoom-Bombing 

Also, know as Zoom raiding. In quarantine, many new users started to use a tremendous amount of technology without even knowing the threats it bears. From office work to school classes, video conferencing is the medium in use; and Zoom application is not the only application for it. New surfers are using the application without knowing how to use it securely. Reports say that cyber-criminals gate crash video conferences and inject anything, usually pornography.

The Cyber Coordination Centre (CyCord) of the Ministry of Home Affairs claims that ‘Zoom is not a safe platform’. Further, the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-in) explained that the application has many weakness which make the users vulnerable to cyber attacks. The government advised to make a new password and ID for every time and keep the meeting URL private. It further advised to only share the screen with the host and disable joining before the host. 

Malware and Phishing Schemes

A variety of malicious campaigns used in the pretext of corona have seen a steep rise. ‘Phishing’ uses disease as to lure users into providing sensitive and personal information. Number of afflicted users increase on a daily basis. There are several register domains in the name of COVID-19 or Corona-virus which carry out spam campaigns to spread malware.

A campaign of emails pretending to provide information or advice on COVID-19 during the pandemic lured many users to download Trojan. Another pretended to be the email of a major bank to offer financial relief on credit card bills; and hence asked the users to provide card details. 

E-commerce Scam 

The online seller claims to provide the in-demand product. To place an order user has to pay online first and then wait for delivery. But the shipment never arrives. Internet surfers need to be aware that anyone can set up online shopping platforms, including scammers. Fraud schemes are on the rise in which people purchase goods such as masks, hand sanitizers, and also fake medicines claiming to prevent or cure. After payment, the goods never arrive.

Fake News 

The rise of fake news during the COVID-19 pandemic has taken many by surprise. These fake news consist of misleading health info and even communal rumors. The spread of such communal rumors appear mostly in April, after several members of the Tablighi Jamaat allegedly spread the virus on purpose. 

Misinformation circulates on the social media platforms to create panic, social instability and distrust in governments or measures taken via the health authorities. To guard citizens, Delhi Police launched a fake news verification module on their website for reporting such unverified news leakages. The cyber cell of Delhi Police analyzes the uploaded content, which examine the pattern of fake news and trace its origin. 

Charity Scam

The Lock-down in India extends with no end visible along with more than a quarter of India’s 1.3 billion people living below the poverty line. Many people are looking for a way of socially contributing to ensuring that the poor do not go to bed hungry amidst the nationwide lock-down. But cyber thieves are taking this generosity as a way to gain profit. This is one of the reasons people should research before giving charity. Money lost to bogus charities means fewer donations to help those in need.

Ransomware

It is a type of malware that makes users believe is a legitimate file and consequently download it. Amid COVID-19, digital thieves’ favorite targets are hospitals, medical centers, and public institutions for ransomware attacks. Since medical warriors are overwhelmed with the health crisis and cannot afford being locked out of their systems, they are more prone to pay than take time to recover from ransomware. Hackers perpetrated a similar attack to launch ransomware attacks to extort ransom against hospitals in Romania.

Provisions of law against Cybercrime Offenders

Ever since India become aware of cybercrime, a new law was introduced, called the IT Act 2000. It was enacted and amended in 2008, and comprises of a wide number of cyber laws against cybercrime in India.

Hacking (i.e. unauthorized access)

Section 43 of the Information Technology Act

Provides that if any person accesses a computer or computer network without permission of the owner or downloads any data or causes disruption, they will be liable to pay damages by way of compensation to the person affected.

Section 66 of the Information Technology Act

If any person commits any act referred to in Section 43, it will be punishable with imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years or with a fine up to 5 lakh rupees or both.

Phishing

Section 66C of the Information Technology Act

Uses to prosecute a person for a phishing attack; the person who uses the unique identification number of any other person, will be punished with imprisonment of up to 3 years and also liable to a fine up to 1 lakh rupees. 

Section 66D of the Information Technology Act

Provides that whoever uses computer resources for cheating by personification, will be punished with imprisonment of the term up to 3 years and also liable to a fine up to 1lakh rupees.

Malware(also include ransomware, virus or Trojan)

Section 43 of the Information Technology Act

Provides that whoever introduces computer containment virus to any computer resource without the owner’s permission will liable to pay damages by way of compensation to the person affected, may also be punished with imprisonment of the term up to 3 years and also liable to a fine up to 5 lakh rupees or both.

Fake News

Section 505(1) of Indian Penal Code, 1860

The punishment for making, publishing or circulating any statement, rumor or report which may cause fear or alarm to the public, or any section of the public, will be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 3 years or fine or both. 

Section 66D of the Information Technology Act

Whoever, by means for any communication device or computer resource cheats by personating, will be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.

Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005

Whoever makes or circulates a false alarm or warning as to disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic, will be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with a fine.

Recommendations and Prevention Tips

With increasing corona cases worldwide, government authorities encouraging citizens to stay home. To safeguard from digital thieves one needs to focus on cybersecurity, which has become an integral part of national security.

• Backup all your important files and store them into an external device.
• Disable 3rd party or outdated component on your device.
• Keep your information safe by not sharing with others.
• Ensure you have the latest antivirus software installed in your system.
• Download software from a trusted source.
• Aware your family members and colleagues about how to safely surf the internet.
• Always check for the seller’s rating and feedback of customers for the seller.
• Update your password from time to time and ensure they are strong (a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters).
• Do not click on a link or open an attachment that is not expected or is shared by a third-party.
• Cyber-criminals are taking advantage of newness and our lack of experience in this new normal. So, ‘be careful’. Don’t assume everything is safe.

Follow the above if you are an intensive web user.