UPSC Previous Year Question | Mains GS3 | 2020
Discuss different types of cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (Answer in 150 words)
Answer
Introduction
Cybercrime involves unlawful activity using computers, networks or digital systems, threatening individuals, businesses, critical infrastructure and national security.
Types
- Financial crimes: phishing, identity theft, card fraud, ransomware and online banking attacks.
- Content and communication crimes: cyberstalking, bullying, hate speech, harassment and circulation of abusive material.
- System attacks: hacking, malware, distributed denial-of-service attacks, data breaches and supply-chain compromise.
- Strategic threats: cyber espionage, attacks on critical information infrastructure and cyber terrorism.
Measures
- Strengthen CERT-In, sectoral response teams, forensic capacity and rapid incident reporting.
- Implement security-by-design, encryption, multi-factor authentication, regular patching and tested backups.
- Improve police training, cross-border cooperation, digital evidence procedures and prosecution under the IT framework.
- Promote cyber hygiene, school and workplace awareness, privacy protection and responsible disclosure.
- Protect critical infrastructure through risk audits, segmentation and indigenous capability.
Conclusion
A whole-of-society approach combining technology, law, skilled personnel, international cooperation and informed users is necessary.
Keywords
Keywords: phishing, ransomware, cyber espionage, CERT-In, cyber hygiene, critical information infrastructure.
Topics: cybercrime, cybersecurity, digital governance, internal security