In the current age, a thief can steal more precious stuff with a computer than with a gun. The exponential growth in e-commerce, online stock trading, and sharing of pictures and personal information has led to a rise in the amount of criminal activities on the internet. These illicit activities are all part of the cyber world, a world where unlawful acts are committed using computers. Computers in such cases are either used as a tool to steal or can be the target. The following article discusses about laws against internet crime and the law colleges in India teaching cyber law.
What is Cyber Crime?
The misuse of computers has given birth to a range of new age offenses that are addressed by the Information Technology Act, 2000. Any unlawful action in the virtual space considered felonious is referred to as cybercrime. It can include criminal activities like theft, forgery, fraud, mischief, and defamation. All these are subject to Indian Penal Code. Cybercrime can be reported against individuals, entities, property and governments. There is also a unique kind of cyber terrorism doing the rounds these days.
. Cybercrime against people can include broadcast of child pornography, harassment via e-mail, and spreading of obscenity.
. Cybercrime against property can include vandalism of the computer, stealing confidential data, robbing of funds from banks and other financial institutions, and diffusion of harmful programs.
. Cybercrime against government may include cyber terrorism. This category consists of cases where cyberspace is used to threaten national or international governments and terrorize citizens. The crime turns more serious when the person or group breaks into a military or government-run website.
The need of cyber laws in India
During the genesis of the internet, nobody had inkling that the virtual world could pose as a threat to the security of people and property. Today, the internet is part of the fast-permeating revolution that can be abused for criminal deeds and so it has to be regulated.
Anonymity and concealment are the biggest reasons why an increasing number of crimes are happening over the internet. It is probable for one to engage in criminal acts with impunity. That is why some intellectual people have been misusing this facet to propagate unlawful undertakings. In order to safeguard the citizens and their sanctity, there need to be proper cyber laws in India.
The significance of cyber laws
Cyber law is extremely important as it touches practically all the aspects of monetary transactions and other events going on across the Internet, namely the cyberspace and World Wide Web. It may initially appear that the field of cyber laws is technical and that law does not have any connotation of virtual actions. However, it should be understood that all activities in the cyberspace have certain legal perspectives that can help those being victimized.
How does cyber law concern me?
Cyber laws concern all those using the internet, which practically includes everyone. With the uses of internet increasing day by day, the dynamic nature of the digital medium makes it the most advanced means of networking and communication. All the actions taking place have a legal standpoint.
From the moment you register the domain name for a site to the time you actually set it up and start its promotion, you have to know that there are legal issues attached to every move you make. Whether sending and receiving electronic mail, posting defamatory content on social networking sites or making electronic commerce transactions, there are numerous cyber law issues that can put you in a tight spot if you are on the wrong side of the law. In a contrasting situation, you can also make use of these laws to seek help against illegitimate activities concerning you.
It is likely that some people are least bothered about safety on the internet as they may feel distant and that the happenings in the virtual world may not impact them. However, sooner or later they will have to pay heed to what cyber law experts and other professionals say. The law fraternity is promoting the field of cyber law as it is an upcoming field. This can be said by gauging the volume of traffic of websites and load on the World Wide Web. The country needs lawyers and cyber law experts who can stand up for the victims of cybercrime. The field is soon going to witness a boom and there will be a sudden need for qualified professionals.
There are various top law colleges in India that teach law courses concerning internet crime. The following are some of the finest law colleges of India –
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National Law School of India University – Based in Bangalore, this institute has been ranked as the best law institute in India. It offers Post graduate diploma in cyber laws and cyber forensics. It also offers other law programs like B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LLM - Master of Laws, M.Phil. (Master of Philosophy), LL.D. - Doctor of Laws and Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy.
National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University – NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, is presently ranked second among the law universities of India. Set up in the year 1998, this esteemed college offers Post Graduate Diploma in Cyber Law. It also offers LL.B. courses, LL.M., M.Phil., PhD, and many exchange programs.
National Law Institute University – Based in Bhopal, this law school was set up in the year 1997. It offers M.Sc. in Cyber Law and Information Security (M.S.C.L.I.S). It also teaches B.A., LL.B (Hons.), and LL.M. degree courses.
Author bio: Devika Arora is a prolific writer who compiles relevant facts and analyzes the current state of affairs pertaining to the domain of education in India. She is currently writing informative articles, news stories and blog posts on Indian educational institutes and the various courses offered by them like art courses, media courses, medical colleges, various B.Ed colleges and many more. The above article discusses about Indian law colleges teaching cyber law.
