What Are the Main Causes and Effects of Cyber Crime?
Cyber crime is the most discussed issue of the 21st century. The technology sector world wide is witnessing a boom in the consumer of smartphones and the internet which is raising concerns with regard to the privacy and security of the users. Owing to this reason, it is highly essential for all the users to know about cyber crime & security. As a result, thi topic has become the most favorite topic of the examiner and can often be seen asked in the exams. In this view, students must have information on cyber crime and stay prepared to tackle such topics in the essay question in the English paper.
Introduction
Cybercrime is a dangerous attack a company or an individual may face. There are many cases where the cyber attack has brought massive loss to the company and individuals due to the data hack. We live in a technology-driven era, and every piece of information is now fed on computers. Cybercrime involves an attack on computers and digital devices. These cyber-attacks can prove hazardous not just for the organization, but also for the nation. To date, there are many digital attack cases in India and global, pushing for more security measures. These attacks are also affecting the economy of the country if not controlled in the initial stage.
What is Cybercrime?
Cybercrime or attack is defined as the systematic criminal activity occurring digitally
and done by attackers. There are many examples of cybercrime, including fraud,
malware viruses, cyberstalking and others. Due to these, government agencies and
companies are investing more in the maintenance and hiring of cybercrime experts.
Earlier, cybercrime was committed only by individuals or by small groups. However, now a highly complex cybercriminals network work on attacking the system for data
collection.
Three groups of cybercrimes-
Individual
Property
Government
Individual
This is the form of cyberstalking, trafficking, and grooming. Over the years, this
This type of cybercrime has been taken seriously by law enforcement agencies. It is
now keeping a track over every such attack on an individual.
Property
Similar to the real world where criminals steal the property, in the cyber world,
attackers steal data. Here, the attacker steals a person's bank details and
misuse the credit card for online purchase. By using malicious software, the
attacker attacks the property to disrupt the system of the organization.
Government
These types of crimes are denoted as cyber terrorism. This can be a terror because
the attacker can get hold of essential documents related to government
projects. An enemy nation or terrorist usually makes such attacks. There are
many cases globally where a terrorist hacks government data.
Apart from these, there is a financial crime where the hacker steals the money of the
user account holder. Moreover, they steal company data and finance.
Hacking
In this type, the computer system of the person is hacked to get personal
information. In many countries, including India, hacking is a punishable act.
It is quite different from ethical hacking. In normal hacking, illegal use
different types of software to enter the system of the target person. Hacker is
then able to monitor every activity done by the person.
Theft
This Cybercrime is about violating copyright and downloading music or movies. In
India, many movies before their releases are leaked on the movie download
sites. In other words, theft is also called privacy, which can bring a huge
loss to the organization.
Cyber Stalking
It is online harassment by an individual or a group of people. Normally, these
stalkers target an individual and harass online. There are many cases of
cyberstalking in India, resulting in the target person ending up taking
self-life.
Malicious Software
These are computer-based cybercrimes where virus-based software is installed in the
target people or organization computers. This is to damage the system and
corrupt the data of the target.
Laws Related to Cybercrime
In India, there are many cybercrime laws enacted to stop this threat. Be it for
the individual or the organization; these laws help to either bring down the
number of cases or eliminate these digital crimes.
Apart from these laws, as an individual, you also need to take steps to stop these
crimes. Like, not providing your login details, installing trust anti-virus
software and keeping your online profile private can help to act against such
crimes.
Conclusion
Cybercrime is a significant threat that can bring huge loss to the individual and the
organization. It is essential to follow basic online rules to ensure the safety
of self and the organization.
Benefits of Cyber Crime Essay in English provided by Vedantu
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Reliable information
Adaptive to the context
Precise language
Fulfills the requirements of the students for english exam questions
Comprehensive and analytical. The article digs in the depth of the issue and analyzes it through a 360 degree perspective.
The essay could also be used by the students for preparing themselves for the essay question in the English paper. This essay is an excellent guide to understand what the examiner is looking for in the exam. Moreover, the topic of cybercrime is quite a recurrent one in the exam. So the students use this essay to deal with the same topic.
Stay Safe
The Essay on Cyber Crime is an excellent guide on averting any possibilities of a cyber attack. On today's date, one is mostly on the internet for a variety of reasons. It becomes essential for one to know important tips that can keep one safe from cyberbullies, thieves, or blackmailers. It is also important for one to understand the right course of actions to be taken in an eventuality of such an incident.
Download the cybercrime essay for students in English on the Vedantu website.
FAQs on Cyber Crime Essay: Types, Impact & How to Stay Safe Online
1. What is the definition of cybercrime?
Cybercrime is any criminal activity that involves a computer, a networked device, or a network. These illegal acts are carried out by cybercriminals or hackers who primarily aim to generate profit, but can also be intended to damage or disable computer systems, steal data, or disrupt operations for other reasons.
2. What are the most common types of cybercrime with examples?
The most common types of cybercrime are designed to exploit individuals and organisations in different ways. Key examples include:
Phishing: Deceiving someone into revealing sensitive information, like passwords or credit card numbers, by sending fraudulent emails that appear to be from a legitimate source.
Malware Attacks: Installing malicious software (like viruses, spyware, or trojans) on a computer without the user's knowledge to steal information or cause damage.
Ransomware: A type of malware that encrypts a victim's files, with the attacker demanding a ransom payment to restore access.
Identity Theft: Stealing someone's personal information to impersonate them, often to commit financial fraud.
Cyberstalking: Using the internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, group, or organisation.
3. What is the impact of cybercrime on individuals and society?
Cybercrime has severe consequences for both individuals and society. For individuals, the impact includes financial loss, theft of personal and sensitive data, and emotional distress from harassment or privacy invasion. For society, the impact is widespread, leading to massive economic losses for businesses, disruption of essential services, erosion of trust in online systems, and threats to national security.
4. What are some practical ways to stay safe from cybercrime online?
To protect yourself from cyber threats, you should adopt several security practices:
Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages. Do not click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources.
Keep your operating system, browser, and antivirus software regularly updated to protect against the latest vulnerabilities.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions like banking or shopping.
Be mindful of the information you share on social media, as it can be used by criminals.
5. How does social engineering work, and why is it so effective?
Social engineering is a manipulation technique used to trick people into divulging confidential information or performing specific actions. Instead of exploiting technical vulnerabilities, it exploits human psychology. It works by creating a sense of urgency, trust, or fear to persuade a victim. For example, an attacker might impersonate a bank official and create a panic about an account being compromised. It is highly effective because it targets the human element, which is often the weakest link in any security system, bypassing even the most robust technical defences.
6. What is the difference between hacking, phishing, and malware?
While often used interchangeably, these terms refer to distinct activities:
Hacking is the broad act of gaining unauthorised access to a computer system or network. The intent can vary from stealing data to simply testing security.
Phishing is a specific method of attack that uses deceptive communication (like emails or fake websites) to trick a user into voluntarily giving up their information. It is a form of social engineering.
Malware (malicious software) is the tool used in an attack. It is a piece of code or software, such as a virus or ransomware, that is installed on a victim's device to carry out a harmful action.
In short, a hacker might use a phishing email to trick you into downloading malware.
7. How do cybercriminals financially benefit from their activities?
Cybercriminals monetise their activities through various channels. The primary methods include direct financial theft by hacking into bank accounts or using stolen credit card details. They also profit by selling stolen data, such as personal information, login credentials, and corporate secrets, on the dark web. Another major source of income is ransomware, where they extort money directly from victims in exchange for returning access to their encrypted data. Lastly, some are hired for corporate espionage or to launch attacks against competitors.
8. Why is it important for students to learn about cyber safety?
It is crucial for students to learn about cyber safety because they are among the most active internet users and often unaware of the risks. Understanding cyber safety helps them protect their personal information on social media and gaming platforms, identify and avoid online scams and phishing attempts, and prevent cyberbullying. It also fosters a sense of responsible digital citizenship, teaching them to interact online ethically and securely, which is an essential life skill in today's digital world.
