‘Over 60% of online frauds are done through mobile platforms’

Dimapur, May 24 (EMN): A one-day awareness and training programme on “Cyber crimes, Cyber Laws in India & Electronic Evidence” was held at NEILIT, Meriema, Kohima on May 24.

Organised under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority in collaboration with Alliance Law Office, New Delhi, and National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology, Nagaland, well known lawyers — advocate Manish Manocha, Supreme Court of India and Advocate Meena Bhandari, Supreme Court – were roped in as the resource persons, informed an update from the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA).

Opening the training session, Bhandari said that cyber space, which is like an open book, needs to be taken cognizance of as internet and technology is “spinning at a very high speed, while the wheels of justice against cyber crimes is seen to be lagging far behind the evolution and by the time laws or policies are implemented, it will become outdated.” So, she called for a reactive and proactive approach towards this.

While pointing out that internet and cyber space has given the people the advantages of creating knowledge base; preserving central database of criminals; getting quick and timely response using information available on internet; and keep oneself abreast with important and latest judgements, Bhandari said “increased rate of crimes, security of database reposes equal questions of security.”

Speaking on cyber terrorism, publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form or child pornography, Bhandari noted that those associated with such crimes are “way ahead and very intelligent.” She added that cyber stalking is a huge cause of concern today and told the attendees that there is punishment for such crime though such cases are underreported.

Manish Manocha, delving on cyber attacks, said that by 2020, 25 percent of cyber attacks against enterprises will involve IoT devices and 63% will be due to compromised user passwords and usernames. He also said that over 60% of online frauds are done through mobile platforms.

Highlighting cyber laws in India, the advocate informed that “these sections under Information Technology Act 2000 have therefore been amended in 2008 to find tune with other criminal laws such as the Indian Penal Code, CrPC evidence act, Negotiable Instruments Act among others.” He added that “to regulate cyber space, more technical spaces are getting interlinked or combined efforts of self-regulation and government intervention are being undertaken,” citing an instance when TRAI banned bulk SMSs and SPAM.

Manocha also spoke on penalties with regard to justice dispensation. Prominent among them are penalty and compensation for damage to computer, computer system under Section 43 of the IT Act or Data theft under S 43(J), Identity Theft (Section 66-c) which are all punishable under law with imprisonment and fine, he informed.

He told the gathering to “go incognito” on all personal computers and laptops besides warning on saving passwords and usernames for various social media accounts. He suggested regular update of anti-virus and disable “ge-tagging” and “wipe your phone” features on cell phone.

Earlier, Former Member Secretary Nagaland State Legal Services Authority and District & Sessions Judge, Phek inaugurated the training programme and released the bi-annual newsletter (October 2018-March 2019 issue). Er. Lanuwapang Lemtur, Director NIELIT also spoke during the event.