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The Concept of Cyber-Crime: Nature & Scope

Article in SSRN Electronic Journal · February 2011

DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.1766238

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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

THE CONCEPT OF CYBER-CRIME: NATURE & SCOPE

Dr. Vijaykumar Shrikrushna Chowbe1

ABSTRACT :
Cyber crime is whether myth or reality? Nothing is crime unless
prescribe by law. But most of the categories of cyber crime is still beyond the
reach of law. Even there is lack of unanimous consensus over the commonly
agreed definition of ‘cyber crime.

Present article has attempted to conceptualize the ‘cyber crime’. The

analysis is from legal point of view and various aspects are touched upon. A
cursory glace has been given to whether cyber crime can be accommodated
within the existing legal framework or does it require a complete new approach?
This article has analyzed the operational modality to combat cyber crime and its
probable difficulties in the traditional system which is based on different
principles, which in cyberspace hardly respect and difficult to govern. The
objective of these analyses is to verify the compatibility of legal system to coupe
up with such techno-sophisticated criminality.

Introduction
The advent of e-technology has brought variety of opportunities and
some of these, not surprisingly, are of a criminal nature. The Cyberspace
created by computer technology provides a medium of doing many things in
efficient manner. The use of machine replacing human hands provided
greater opportunities and options. The automation of companies, banks,
educational institution, and railway reservation are reflections displayed
everywhere that manifest dependence of human society on these tiny
computers. Today, old-fashioned paper-based working pattern is merely
outdated, as it is unable to keep pace with speedy life of modern world.
Societies world over in the last century have been largely concerning
about crime affecting the physical persons and property. They have
accordingly evolved state systems of law and enforcement to deal with the
forms of crimes. Rapid industrialization and urbanization has brought new
forms of crimes involving wider concerns of social order, safety, and security.2

1
Associate Professor and Head, Post Graduate Teaching Department of Law, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati
University, Amravati [State University]. Suggestion, correction or criticism, if any, may be addressed at
[email protected].
2 http://www,nytimes.com, David Post (Cyber law specialist, Temple Law School), 'Netiquette',
visited on 8th Aug, 1999.
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

If Cyberspace is the type of community - a giant neighbourhood made

up of networked computer users around the world - then it is natural that
many elements of a traditional society can be seen as bitts and bytes.3 With
electronic commerce, emerge electronic merchants, plugged in educators
provide networked education and doctors meet with patients online. It
should come as no surprise that there are also Cyber criminals committing
Cyber crimes.
Computer-technology helps any company to do work efficiently. The
computer is a very sophisticated electronic machine used to manipulate data.
As explained in the glossary of the Information Technology (Certifying
Authorities) Rules, 2000,
'Computer mean any electronic, magnetic, optical or other high-
speed data processing device or system which performs logical,
arithmetic, and memory functions by manipulations of electronic,
magnetic or optical impulses, and includes all input, output, processing,
storage, computer software, or communication facilities which are
connected or related to the computer in a computer system or computer
network'.4

Motivational factors for the growth of Computer Technology

The information, which is a very important aspect of every business
and transactions, can be move very easily and manipulated in better manner
with computer-technology. The Computer-machines are now-days
overtaking the responsibility assigned to human brains. In addition, in this
attempt it is providing better alternatives. A brief comparison of computer
technology can be displayed in following manner:
a. Computer has great memory power. It provided huge
storable space on comparatively very small floppy's and CDs.
The entire library can be put in few computer discs.
b. The speed of manipulation of available data is unimaginable.
The Computer can solve complex mathematical problems in
seconds. The loan interest, for example, of the person standing
in front of bank counter can be calculated in a fraction of
seconds with accuracy.
c. Computer can work round the clock. Computers never form
unions, ready to work anytime. Thus today, ATM machine
facilitate the banking transactions 24 hours, which earlier were
just restricted to few hours a days.

3 Reuters, 'Digital world still feeds no paper', The Hindu Business Line, 8th Oct, 2000.
4 See, Schedule V of the Information Technology (Certifying Authorities) Rules, 2000.
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

d. Computer can do multiple jobs at a time. Thus the same

computer can ask to calculate pending matter, subtract a specific
data, can be asked to present a show at specific time, able to
maintain time schedule, and even can be asked to distribute the
massage to thousands of customer.
e. It is old saying that 'No man is perfect on this earth'. However,
it is possible with computers. Computer only commits mistake if
programme fed in it is wrong. There is a little bit of chances of
committing mistake by computer itself.
All these plus points are responsible to replace man with machine and
there is continuous dependency of human society on the machine. Ultimately,
under the background of this machine power, the maximum institutions
started to equip themselves with machine; the process is generally known as
'AUTOMATION'.
The process of automation can be considered with the process of
'URBANISATION'. When industrial revolution took place in the Mid-
Seventeenth century, the big machines appeared on the scene. The industrial
plants, turbines, ships started to appear and soon rural population started to
migrate towards big cities. After a couple of century, we could see that the
urban society is entirely different from rural one.
Thus, the wave of industrial revolution caused urbanization of rural
society and completely transformed it. Urban society is different from rural
one having slum areas, big industrial plants, cotton mills, working industrial
population, poverty, fast life and so many things are the symbolic features of
urban society. The weak tie of human relationship, degrading human values,
flat & apartment culture, fashions, clubs, spacious roads, flyovers, railway
bridges, dance bars, easy flow of money, 24 hours working, crowdie places,
departmental stores, big moving vehicles waiting at signals, commotion of
railway engines and begging children are some of the common scenes in
urban society which are hardly visible rural society. As life, so as to crime
differ in urban society. As money is move valuable than values in urban
society, economic crime rate is more. Due to lack of fraternity, neighborhood
belongingness in urban society, criminal even can commit dacoit in daytime.
Minimum social pressure, lack of social control makes urban society very
different from rural one.
As the 'Urbanization', so as the 'Cyberisation'. The same change that
we have seen in the process of urbanization can be similarly observed in
Cyberisation. While human being is Cyberised (or treat it as de-socialized),
they are losing and lacking human qualities, no value and respect for relations
and relatives. In Cyber world, you can find youths spending their time in
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

chatting, looking sex partners, surfing for pornographic material.

Cyberisation, in other way can be termed as revolution of Information-
Technology. This Information-Technology revolution is enormous than
earlier revolution has taken place so far, and the changes and transformations
it has caused in the society is also comparatively immense. In Industrial
revolution that took place a couple of centuries ago highlighted the presence
of big machines likes steam engine, locomotives, ships, cranes were appeared,
but today, tiny machine are there sometime only with three components i.e.
Monitor, CPU and keyboard which can be kept in small space of 5 fts X 5 fts
room. However, potential capacity to change the society is much greater than
else before. This device as compare to olden day's ship can travel its user
faster and can escort the netizens in any part of world, can make possible his
virtual presence.
Thus these connected computer machines has created a different world
called Cyber-world or Cyber-space. It is a different world altogether. Quite
different from our real world! Due to special nature of this Cyber-space, the
Cyber criminals get maximum opportunity to commit crime. Because
computer may facilitate the commission of traditional nature of crime like
fraud, theft, defamation, pornography in new form as well as give rise to new
mischief's such as hacking, virus transplantation, erasure of programs or data.
Under this backdrop, it is essential to analyze and understand the
different nature of Cyber-crimes, its definition, scope with comparative
analysis with that of 'old-traditional' criminality.
Comparative investigation of Cyber-criminality and its nature
i. Comparative analysis: Modern & Traditional crimes
i. Incidences of Traditional crime - easy to deal
To understand the sea change computer technology has introduced to
criminal activity, the hypothetical example may dictate it properly: Consider
this one,
'One can analogize a denial of service attack to using the
telephone to shut down a pizza delivery business by calling the
business telephone number repeatedly, persistently and without
remorse, thereby preventing any other callers from getting through
to place their orders. While it may be possible for someone to
execute this scheme, it would be very onerous to do so because it
would require a great deal of physical effort and concentration on
the perpetrator's part; he would have to be constantly dialing,
maintaining the connection until it was broken and then redialing
quickly to prevent any other call from coming in. It would also

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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

involve a significant risk of apprehension because the victim could

contact the authorities, who would presumably have no difficult
tracing the calls to the perpetrator, since he would presumably be
using his personal or business telephone.5
The incidence of traditional crime, most of the time, is easy to deal by
law regulating agency. Here location can be traced out, person can be
identified, facts and issues can be investigated, telephone calls can be
scrutinized, `mens rea' can be ascertained and liability can be imposed.
However, in the incidence cited above, the legal machineries may be
paralyzed to deal with above-mentioned problems. Generally, and in most of
the traditional crime cases, the problem of jurisdiction may not arise in above
case, physical search is possible and above all, the law applicable to both
perpetrator and victim is same. Too great extent, the traditional legal system
is well equipped to handle, investigate, scrutinize, and examine the facts
related to the crimes.
Demarcation between Cyber-crime and that of so called traditional
crime can be traced out on some distinguished footings. However, ironically,
one may mislead term in physical sense. Thus physical harm inflicted to
computer, stealing of computer machine, theft of computers from the home or
institute or any part of computer such as hard disc, monitor or keyboard,
making fraud in selling computer machine is not computer crime though on
first sight it may seems to be 'Crime committed against a computers or by
means of computer' OR 'Harmful act committed from or against a computers
or networking. The description of Cyber crimes given above as elaborative
sense.
Cyber crime is easy to commit (if one has the know - how to do it), hard
to detect (if one knows how to erase one's tracks) and often hard to locate in
jurisdictional terms, given the geographical indeterminacy of the net.6 The
ability of Cyber criminals to morph into new and different forms of antisocial
activities evading the reach of existing penal law creates challenges for law
enforcement around the world. Cyber-criminals can exploit gaps in their own
country's criminal law to victimize their fellow citizens with impunity. They
can also exploit gaps in the criminal laws of other countries to victimize the
citizens of those and other nations.7

5 Jain Atul : Cyber Crime - Issues Threats and Management Vol. 1, Isha Books Delhi, pg. 3.
6 Charles Nesson & Anita Ramasastry, Cyber crime,
http://Cyber.law.harvard.edu/studygroup/Cybercrime.html Last updated: June 22, 2002,
accessed on 26 April 2005, 21:30:45
7 Jain Atul, Cyber Crime : Issues Threats and Management, (Vol I) Isha Books Delhi, pg. 4
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

ii. Incidences of Cyber Criminality

Relatively, in case of Cyber-criminality, Cyber space allows these
attacks easily carry out and such intrusions can be made effortlessly with
very little risk of apprehension. First of all, it is very difficult to fix the
identity to the perpetrator in Cyber-space as it is very easy to mask a fake
identity. You can have a mask of famous hero, heroin, politician or even
policeman with photo-identify in the Cyber-space. It is difficulty to see the
person actually sitting in front of terminals and only the manifested identity
is only source in Cyberspace. Secondly, it is difficult to locate the jurisdiction
and locality of the perpetrator. Neither it possible his intentions and benefit
he receive from such deviation. However, one can face these preliminary
difficulties in Cyber-space.
ii. Cyber-crime is not synonyms with Internet crime
Generally, it is mistaken belief that Cyber-space is synonyms of crime
committed across the Internet-networking, as former is much wider
expression encompassing - besides Internet, the computer and its
networking, data present in digital form in the computer or on any storable
devise, software and hardware in any functional form. Cyber crime may be
committed even by remaining offline and it is not necessary that the person
should physically remain present online in the networking of computers.
Thus software piracy is the crime committed by the person by taking the
software copy on disc or floppy and transmits it.
iii. The fashion of 'Computer literacy' fasten the process of
Cyberisation
Today the courses pertaining to ‘computer literacy’ training become an
integral part of curriculum. Due to the vast use of electronic devices within
the atmosphere available around the new generation, the new generation
very easily got electronic indoctrination. Right from the age of spoon-feeding,
electronic technology surrounds them. Thus, when they come out of their
tender age and got capability of stepping into Cyber-space, vast Cyber-world
open a getaway for endless opportunity. However, due to tender age and lack
of judgment capability there are equal chances of their exposure to the evil
effect of this technology. Thus on one hand, technology that is an essential
part of their curriculum hurled them in the unprotected Cyber-world.
iv. Cyber Crime - Neither difficult to learn nor difficult to
commit
Cyber-crime is neither much hard to learn nor much difficult to
commit. In modern society, computer technology can be learned like
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

language. Digital technology surrounded our life to such a great extend that
everybody is being acquainted with it. Particularly, the new generation for
whom computer knowledge is an essential part of curriculum, and where
knowledge diffusion is with the help of computer it is very easy for them to
have convenience accessible means to commit crime in Cyber-space.
Incidences are there, where initially, computer is learned either out of
curiosity, pleasure or compulsion (may be official or educational) or latter on
learning knowledge turned into delinquency. The user-friendly software has
added fuel to the fire making Cyber delinquency much pleasant and easy.
This is true, particularly with regard to pornography, vulgar chatting, and
piracy. Today, anybody with minimum computer literacy is sufficient to have
access to Cyber-criminality and the chances are very less of being trapped by
the preventive agencies. These features make Cyber-crimes more dangerous
and alarming.
v. Difficulties in tracing the Cyber crime
If one is enough fortunate to overcome these difficulties of locating,
investigating and fixing the criminal liability, the next complexities he has to
face about the collection, examination, scrutiny, instigation and recording and
reading the evidences and witnesses. Speaking with example, suppose in the
example of Cyber-stalking cited above, perpetrator used computer for the
purpose of hacking and stalking the web site of pizza parlour via Internet,
how can the recording and reading of evidence is possible even if, the
instrumentality of an offence i.e. computer has been seized? Again, whether
does legal system has capable of recognized such evidence in electronic form?
Suppose, again the hacking or stalking has been committed from paid Cyber-
café, then how the presence of criminal can be located? In short, such
problems make Cyber-criminality more severe and serious in this
millennium.
In addition to that, as due to Internet facilities, Cyberspace don't
recognized boundaries, barriers or line of control of the nations, the problem
of jurisdiction also create problem in Cyber-criminality. Thus the potentiality
of Cyber criminals to morph into new and different forms of antisocial activity
evading the reach of existing penal law create challenges for law enforcement
around the world. Cyber criminals can exploit gaps in their national criminal
law to victimize their fellow citizens with impunity. They can also exploit
gaps in the criminal laws of other countries to victimize the citizens of those
and other nations.8

8 Jain Atul : Cyber Crime - Issues Threats and Management Vol. 1, Isha Books Delhi, pg. 4
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

vi. Are there any alternatives to Cyber technology to avoid

Cyber criminality?
The situation mentioned above creates a dilemma. Should we reject
the technology at all to avoid its evil effect on existing system? Should we take
a pause for progress as it does bring uncertainty and complexities? Should
we stop at the point where we are and just try to maintain present system as
it is? Should we stop the use of Cyber-technology to stop its misuse and its
dangerous impact in the form of Cyber-crime?
Do at all such objective alternatives are possible for us? Can we stop
the flow of time and change? Can we bring to a halt (and lock up) all
inventions and discoveries oozing out of laboratories? If this is not at all
possible to reject invented discoveries, what are the other alternatives
available for us? In this situation, whether is it possible to taste the fruits
bypassing or avoiding its drawback?
No doubt, that there are growing incidences of misuse of Cyber-
technology, particularly Internet services that include all Cyber crimes and
the Indian scene is not exception to Cyber-criminality. Today, the cases are
comparatively less than advance countries (despite the Cyber-illiteracy in
India, most of the cases neither detected, reported, not bring into light or
gone unnoticed, or fall victims of our traditional legal infrastructure) the pace
with which the automation process is going on in India, the days are not far
when we require to either reject the technology or safeguards against its
probable threat. It is even unwise to reject the technology because crimes are
committed online. The online crime commission rate is not strong reasons
rejecting the entire technology particularly when its use outweighs its misuse.
It is just like telling the people to avoid use of vehicles, as there are chances of
accidence, or telling the people not to come out of their homes, as there is
danger of life in outside world. On developmental path, no U-turn is allowed
and once you step in the process, there is no way out. Do you think that
people would avoid using Internet due to growing number if net abuse?
Specially, when visionary eyes can see the bright future through Cyber-
technology, particularly education, business, banking, and information
sharing services are switching over through the network. Under these
considerations, should anyone dare to say, 'Avoid/Reject getting misused'. In
short, Cyber technology is non-optional, and we have to have it!!!
vii. If Cyber technology is non-optional, there is only one
way - accept it boldly
Such questions lead to give a thought for development of system for
prevention and control of Cyber-crimes. Whatever the impact of automation
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

on human civilization may be, but it is non-optional phenomenon in

competitive life and we have to accept the presence of electronic devices in
every walk of life. These electronic devices are so deeply penetrated in our
day-to-day activities that we even cannot imagine life without it! All activities
in our life such as trade, business, transaction, communication,
transportation, invention, education, calculation, medicine, and banking
involve use of computers. Thus, today ‘Life without computers' can’t be
imagined.
Today information is a life-blood and important for our existence. Life
minus information will reduce the human society to just its physical
existence. Information makes man think and act and thus become pre-
requisite condition of human expression. Information is one of the indexes of
demarcating a line of distinction between human and animal. Information in
electronic age is synonyms with either power or source of power. In order to
survive in competitive market, information is essential. It is only due to
advent of electronic era, information got electric speed and it is possible to
remain up-to-date (may be up-to-fraction of second) with the help of
electronic devices. In the absence of this system, the market would never
survive for the next moment.9 Today, computer networking is providing
electric speed to the information and magnetic brain to store information and
manipulate with the help of software. Nevertheless, this field is also not
exception to the Cyber-criminality. The piracy, theft of Internet hours, Cyber-
bombing, e-mail bomb, and Cyber-terrorism are certain brand names from
which alarming signals are blowing.
viii. Strategy to be adopted
The problem of Cyberspace starts with the non-recognition on the part
of legal system. Generally, and at most of the occasions, it has been observed
that legal reality differ from bookish philosophical notions appears in law
books. Cyber law exists at the (cutting) edge of law, where the ability of
existing law to achieve its goals is challenged. In this sense the "law" in Cyber
law is a much broader concept, it is "law in action" as opposed to "law in
books" as it applies to situations where Law cannot cope. Moreover, the
technological revolution has wrought in its wake various security issues and
there was an urgent need for security experts as well.10

9 The example of dependence of human society on mechanical atomization can be evidenced by

analyzing the impact of 9/11. The comparatively, suffering by human causality were less than
impact on worldwide market economic.
10 http://pgd.iiita.ac.in/index_files/about.htm An article entitled, 'Cyber Law & Information
Security' on the web site of Indian Institute Of Information Technology - Allahabad
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

But so far as strategical aspect in Cyberspace is concerned, it is now a

need of an hour to face it, rather than ignoring or running away from it. It is
wise saying that 'don't avoid, face it' and it is equally applicable to Cyber-
technology also. Positive attitude and clever move demands the adoption of
intelligent strategy. Proper use is better than no-use. Thus regardless of
thinking about avoiding technology, we can work out a plan for its proper use.
Instruction, awareness, consciousness, and Cyber-literacy can be the golden
rule for using Cyber-technology. Speaking on the same line, one of the famous
website promoted the awareness amongst the netizens.
A better strategy would be to instruct netizens (children) about
both the benefits and dangers of Cyberspace and for them to learn how to
be "net -wise" in order to better safeguard themselves in any potentially
dangerous situation. Make sure the kids know it is okay to approach you
if they receive strange or harassing e-mails that makes them
uncomfortable or they accidentally get to a site you have told them is not
appropriate. Let them know that you won't get angry and that it isn't
their fault if they do get something strange or they find a site by accident.
Establish the ground rules and let the kids clearly know what they are.
Every family is different and every child is an individual, so there are no
'magic rules' to follow beyond the basics. The more open you are and the
more you listen, the more likely they are to tell you what is going on.
Most of all set a good example by yourself visiting good site!11

ix. Cyber criminality naïve the traditional boundaries of

nation wide jurisdiction
The Cyber criminality, as stated earlier, spread in the Cyber-space and
the Cyber-world is too great extent differ in quality and its quantum with that
of traditional world. These qualities are: its lack of respect for jurisdictional
boundaries, the sheer volume of traffic that it can handle virtually
instantaneously, its openness to participation, the potential for anonymity of
members of the virtual community, its apparent economic efficiency. It is
these very qualities of Cyberspace, which has today become its nemesis and
has necessitated the need for Cyber law.12
Thus these are the various angle of Cyber-criminality and related
issues. Attempting to scrutiny whether the Cyber-crimes are reality cause
any threat to India, the nation where it is in just infant stage? Whether Cyber-
crime has become reality in India, or it is just an 'Abominal story'?

11 http://www.indianchild.com/Cyber_crime_in_india.htm Accessed on 22.01.2005

12 http://pgd.iiita.ac.in/index_files/about.htm An article entitled, 'Cyber Law & Information
Security' on the web site of Indian Institute Of Information Technology - Allahabad
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

Cyber Crime on Indian scènes

i. Cyber criminality - dawning reality in India
Evidently, he was William Gibson, American Novelist by profession,
who introduced the word 'Cyberspace' in his famous novel Necromancer in
1984.13 It has subsequently become widely used as a means of denoting the
apparent or virtual location, within which electronic activities are
undertaken.14 By 'Cyberspace' in the novel 'Necromancer', he was insinuated
the visual world breathing in electronic activities. The fictitious world was
capable of pretending visual reality, totally mechanical and electronic! The
'Cyberspace', according to William Gibson, where the visual reality exists, and
the overall populous are immersed & emerge in the digital world. Thus, the
aggregation of computers, Internet, and intranet is dubbed as Cyberspace.
Such a Cyber networking allows citizens of a community to connect to the
global computer communication network and provide them with the facility
to communicate with other members of their own community and with the
world, popularly, branded as netizens. Therefore, the netizens are net
citizens, who utilize the net from their home, workplace, school, library, etc.15
And today, the Cyber crime has become reality in India. Difficult to
detect, seldom reported and even more difficult to prove, computer-related
crime lacks a traditional paper audit trail, is away from conventional policing
and requires specialists with a sound understanding of computer
technology.16
ii. Modern Technology has activated mechanical
transformation of human being
The modern technological inventions have brought with them some
evils that now creating alarming situation that required urgent attention. In
the modern age of communication and electronic transactions, the compelling
need of automation to be remained in competition, dependence on
mechanical speed created a bridge between man and machine, life and non-
life entity, natural brain and artificial brain. These two extreme poles, man
and machine, representing life and non-life entity is losing their unique
qualities and moving towards each other. In the present scenario, erosion of
human qualities and dripping out of human being, and advancements are

13 Diwan Parag, & Shammi Kapoor, Cyber & E-Commerce Laws, Bharat Publishing House, 2000.
14 Vishwambharan, Anupama., 'The information super highway', The Indian Express, 12 May
1999.
15 Menon Shailaja, Protection of Intellectual Property in Cyber Space, AuthorPress Delhi, Pg. 5.
16 Cyber laws : Intellectual property and e-commerce security - Edited by Krishna Kumar,
Dominant Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi, pg. 295.
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

made to add more human qualities to adroit i.e. artificial robots. In post-
modern era, each object is losing human sensitivity evaporating its
conceptualized base with its referenced boundaries, emotions, happiness,
sorrow, love, affections, responsibility, values and much more 'life' itself.
New technologies today provided sky-less limit and speed breaking the
boundaries.
Conceptualizing Cyber Crime - Definition, Analysis and
explanation
iii. Legal literature only prescribe, not describe Cyber
crime
The law only prescribes the things but do not describe it.17 Particularly,
penal laws prescribe the punishment but do not attempt to describe the crime
and its nature. Therefore, the legal literature hardly helps in this regards. It
is unwise, therefore, to describe here Cyber Crimes, as "acts that are
punishable by the Information Technology Act, 2000." Because the
Information Technology Act, 2000 neither define nor describe any of the
Cyber Crime. It has only stipulated certain act as an offence and prescribed
punishment under Chapter XI titling "Offences".18 However, various jurists,
thinkers have attempted to define the term Cyber crime from various angles.
Here in this portion we are going to consider some of the definition of Cyber
crime in order to elaborate and understand term.
iv. Conceptualizing Cyber Crime - Mapping different
dimensions
To deal, it is essential to limit the concept within the word's
boundaries. It is helpful to encompass it within a literal periphery.
Elaborating any concept from definitional point view is an attempt to attach
some meaning full words for its explanation. Defining the concept is nothing
but to endeavoring 'Why the things are things and not otherwise'. In other
words, by definition of Cyber crime, we are trying to explain why Cyber crime
is Cyber crime and not otherwise. The overall definitional part deals with the
aspect of separating Cyber crime from other crimes and clarifies from other
so-call similar words. Thus, it is an activity of putting similar things together
and isolating it from dissimilar things.

17 For e.g. S. 40 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 only prescribe 'Offence' denotes a thing made punishable
by this code' but do not describe what is meant by Offence.
18 In 2008, an amendment has been made to add few more offences in the Information
Technology Act, 2000
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

v. Definition of Cyber crime - encircling the concept

within words boundaries
In order to understand the Cyber crime at conceptual level, it is
essential to scrutinize the definitional aspects of word ‘Cyber crime’. In
this portion, some of the definitions are verified.
i. According to the website of Crime Investigation Department,
Andhra Pradesh State Police, "Cyber crime means Unlawful acts
wherein the computer is either a tool or a target or both."19
According to the definition, the Cyber crime consist crimes-
a. Where the computer is a tool for an unlawful act - and;
b. Where the computer is the target for an unlawful act.
c. Where computer is both tool and target for/of unlawful
act.
ii. According to Manish Lunker, -
"Computer or Cyber armies are considered as illegal,
unethical, or unauthorized behaviour of people relating to the
automatic processing and transmission of data, use of Computer
systems and Networks".20
However, the present definition considers Cyber-crime and computer
crime as one of the same thing, which though having some common premises,
differ on several account. Again, this definition have rider like 'unethical'
which, too great extent, fall outside the purview of law. Ethics is not basis for
imposing legal liability.
iii. Another definition of Cyber crime may be considered as follows
:-
"Cyber crimes are the harmful acts committed in Cyber
space with, on or by means of computer networking."
iv. The a further definition has given by Pavan Duggal, an advocate
of Supreme Court and Cyber law expert, “Any criminal activity
that uses a computer either as an instrumentality, target or a
means for perpetuating further crimes comes within the ambit
of Cyber crime".21

19 http://www.cidap.gov.in/mainwccrime.aspx See also, same definition appeared on the web

site of Cyber Crime Police Station, Banglore, Karnataka,
http://www.Cyberpolicebangalore.nic.in/Cybercrimes.htm
20 Lunker Manish : Cyber Laws: A Global Perspective pg. 2(An article from Internet) See
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN005846.pdf.
accessed on 22 September 2005. 21:52:15
21 http://www.rediff.com/netguide/index.html accessed on 23.01.2005
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

Thus in Cyber crimes ‘computer’ may be –

a. an instrument and/or
b. target and/or
c. means
for commission of crimes.
v. According to Balwinder Singh, Additional Secretary, Central
Vigilance Commission, Government of India 22 , "Computer
(Cyber) crime mainly consist of unauthorized access to
computer system, data alternation, data destruction, theft of
intellectual property."23
“Any crime with the help of computer and
telecommunication technology”, with the purpose of
influencing the functioning of computer or the computer
systems.24
There are some more definitions appear in the literature
1) Cyber-crimes can also be described as "Crimes committed
against a computers or by means of computers’ OR ‘Harmful act
committed from or against a computers or networking.'25
2) Cyber crime is commonly referred to as a "Criminal activity
related to technology and computers committed on the
Internet."26
3) According to MyCert’s manager Solahuddin Shamsuddin, "Cyber
crimes includes illegal activities done with malicious purposes
from electronic hacking to denial of service attacks that cause
great loss in monetary terms to the affected victim."27
4) According to Charles Nesson &, Anita Ramasastry, "Cyber Crime"
is embrace criminal acts that can be accomplished while sitting
at the computer keyboard. Such acts include gaining
unauthorized access to computer files, disrupting the operation
of remote computers with viruses, worms, logic bombs, Trojan
horses and denial of service attacks; distributing and creating

22 See, Singh Balwinder, Addl, Sec, Central Vigilance Commission, Government of India, An
article on Internet (in .pdf format) entitled, Cyber Crime - A new challenge for the police
23 http://www.cidap.gov.in/documents/Cyber%20Crime%20-
%20A%20new%20challenge%20for%20the%20Police_129200525502%20PM.pdf
24 http://www.legalserviceindia.com/articles/article.html - The Menace Of Cyber Crime by
Anusuya Sadhu, Final year law student Symbiosis, Pune
25 see McConnell’s : ‘International Cyber-crimes & punishment – http://www.Cybercrimes.net
Accessed on 26.12.2004
26 http://www.niser.org.my/news/2004_11_22_01.html Accessed on 30.01.2005
27 http://www.niser.org.my/news/2004_11_22_01.html accessed 30.01.2005
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

child pornography via the Internet, stealing another's identity;

selling contraband and stalking victims."28
vi. Analysis of Definition - How so far Cyber Crime can
be suitably described?

Above definitions have been attempted to describe Cyber Crime from

one or the other angle. Depends upon the approaches it adopted, the above
definitions can be classified as descriptive, functional, elaborative, purposeful
or expressive. The above-mentioned definitions have been attempted to
define Cyber Crime by affixing some rider, characteristics, and qualities to the
nature of Cyber Crime. Some of the characteristics features of Cyber Crime
can be categorizes as -

a. Cyber Crimes are Unlawful Act.

b. Computer is essentially an element of Cyber Criminality and it
is either a tool or target of Cyber Crimes.
c. Cyber Crimes are harmful Act.
d. Cyber Crimes are committed in Cyber-space with the help of
Computer networking.
e. Cyber Crime is a criminal activity where Computer can be used
to perpetuate further crime.
f. Cyber Crimes are committed against computer or computer
networking either by means of computer or otherwise.
g. Cyber Crimes are committed from or against computer
networking.
h. Cyber Crimes are criminal activities against technology and
computer committed on Internet.
i. Cyber Crimes are illegal activities done with malicious
purposes.
j. Cyber Crimes cause great loss in monetary terms to the
affected victim.
It is, therefore, clear from above discussion that Cyber Crimes are a
sort of hi-tech criminality and harmful activities occur in Cyber space created
by interlinking of computer networking via Internet.

28 See, http://Cyber.law.harvard.edu/studygroup/Cybercrime.html Article entitled

'Cybercrime' by Charles Nesson, Anita Ramasastry.
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

Critical appreciation of definition of Cyber crime

Definitions appear in above section given by various jurist and thinkers
have been attempted from various angle. To great extent, not a single
definition attempted above compressively describe the Cyber-crime and it
only attempted to describe the Cyber crime from the approaches adopted by
the jurist and thinkers. Broadly, the above definitions can be categories into
four part based on the approach adopted;
a. From its effect on a general society, it (Cyber crime) is :
i. Unlawful act,
ii. Harmful act,
iii. Illegal activities
iv. Criminal activity
b. From victim's point of view -
i. Affect victim and
ii. cause great loss in monetary terms
c. Considering essential tools used in Cyber crimes - it means
when following things are utilized in committing crime -
i. Computer
ii. Technology (IT)
iii. Computer networking
iv. Internet
d. Considering the place where Cyber crime committed,
i. In Cyber-space.
Exploring the definitional denominations
The various definitional denominations affix to Cyber-crime by various
jurists, thinkers, and legal luminaries cannot be put beyond criticism. None of
the definition of Cyber-crime, if scrutinized from jurisprudential aspects, can
pass the test on legal standard. Because, the words used in the definition like,
'unlawful', 'illegal', 'harmful', 'criminal activity', 'monitory loss', et al., is
difficult to encompass within the jurisprudential limit and sometime, either
Cyber-crime or the literary limit of these words cross boundaries and step out
of legal premises and require to study the concept from social, political,
economical or even psychological point of view. This is equally true with
other phenomenon.
For the time being, therefore, the careful analysis of these definitions
from jurisprudential angle revealed certain cynicism.
Firstly, it is erroneous to brand Cyber crime as 'unlawful' act. For any
act to be unlawful, the prior existence of legal prescription declaring a
particular act is necessary. No doubt, that Information Technology Act,

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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

200029 deals30 with some of the Cyber crimes, but all the catefories of Cyber
crime have not been covered by the act,31 and therefore, some of the Cyber
crime still falls out of the legal reservoir. In short, the test of 'unlawfulness'
makes only some of the Cyber-crime within the preview and keeps most of it
outside. The same criticism can be made about those definitions describing
Cyber crime as 'illegal' or 'criminal' act.
Secondly, it is wrong to say that Cyber crime is 'harmful' act, though
most of the Cyber crime may be, but there are some of the categories of
Cyber-crime, which are not strictly, consider as harmful. For example, viruses
are not harmful, unless and until they are activated. There are some of the
viruses, which lay within the hard disc and activated only after clicking a
particular program. Therefore, unless a specific program is not comes into
operation, these viruses lie as usual and do not sustain harm. Another
example can be given of those persons who use fake identity but while surfing
they cast votes, give their opinion, take part in good discussion, or even make
some academic conferences while chatting. In such situation, the person
whose identity has been used, sometime benefited by such act. The incidence
can be compare with the famous case of Ashby V. White where the person
whose legal rights were violated did not suffer any harm, loss or damage in
monetory sense. Thus, harm, loss, or damage cannot be considered as the
only criterion for describing any act illegal. Actually, it is misuse, not harm,
which is basic ingredient here to be considered.
Thirdly, again, the terms like 'against computer', 'on computer' seems
to be misleading. These definitions make all those acts as a Cyber crime,
which is committed on, by or against the computer. Thus, it will include the
act like theft of keyboard, mouse pad, hitting a computer by stick, or even
making electric power off while computer is in operation, which causes loss
of data! Logically, all these acts are committed on either by or against the
computer, but cannot consider as categories of Cyber-crimes.
Fourthly, the terminologies like 'Cyberspace', 'computer networking',
'technology', or 'Internet' needs further clarification and in absence of such
clarity, any definition that includes such words make situation more vague
and worse than before.
The definition, at this point, that seem more accurately describing
Cyber crimes is -
"Cyber crime is harmful act or misusing computer technology."

29 (21 of 2000)
30 See Chapter XI 'Offenses' of Information Technology Act, 2000. Section 65 to 69.
31 Though the Information Technology [Amendment] Act, 2008 has added few more categories
of crime in the list, but this additions are still inadequate to accommodate the entire list of
cyber crime under the one umbrella of the Information Technology Act, 2000
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

The above definition to some extent expresses Cyber crimes, though

the word ‘misuse’ again creates some difficulty. In what sense should the
word ‘misuse’ be interpreted? Tentatively, the misuse here has been
considered setting international standard within the focus. As stated earlier,
Cyber-crime is trans-national criminality and therefore, attempting its
definition totally from the point of view of private international law may
create some difficulties.
vii. Cyber Crime and related terminology
In order to understand Cyber crime, from the point of view of
definition mentioned above, it is essential to give a thought to the words like
Computer networking and Internet. Computer networks are
telecommunication highways over which information travels. Section 2 (j) of
the Information Technology Act, 2000 defines computer network as:
The interconnection of one or more computers through the use of
satellite, microwave, terrestrial lines or other communication media; and
terminals or a complex consisting of two or more interconnected computers
whether or not the interconnection is continuously maintained.32
In simple words, a computer network is purely a system of
interconnected computers. Secondly, the word Internet is world wide
interconnected networking of computers. The difference between computer
networking and Internet is that of degree. Because, Internet is a wider
concept where the computer is linked to rest of the world via networking
which is available and spread over the world. However, computer
networking may spread over to the world, to an organization, to a single
premise, or even restricted to the single room. The depending upon the area
it cover, computer networking may be classified as WAN (Wide Area
Network) and LAN (Local Area Network).
Scope of Cyber Crime
The next issue under discussion is whether really Cyber crime are
worth important to be considered on different footing than traditional
criminality? The answer is simply ' YES'. Justification, however, can be
argued under following heads;
viii. Does Cyber Crimes are worth to take seriously?
Until a couple of year before, 'crime' was small-scale, simple, and
consistent and can be traceable with available tools. It is simple in the sense
that nationwide generalization, wide definition capable of encompassing
within the words limit is possible. Even declaring any act as an unlawful by

32 http://www.asianlaws.org/projects/network_crimes.htm accessed on 23.01.2005

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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

legislative enactment prescribing punishment for its violation was enough to

lower down crime rate. Most of crime and related phenomenon remain
personal, and though wide, it remained small-scale. Thus until recently crime
is treated as anti-legal and anti-social activities committed by illiterates,
(except While Collar Crimes & Organized Crimes), impatient, mentally weak
person, or committed under sudden provocation, under tense emotional
stress, or sometime out of necessity, or exceptionally, to settle the score with
victims.
Again, these simple types of crime are easily traceable with available
tools. As most of the crime are of personal nature, and both accuse and victim
share same community tie that put offenses into a manageable, knowable
context. In short, criminality as we traditionally have understood, wrapped
by social atmosphere where social pressure use to keep criminality within
manageable limit, either exerting social knots or socially oriented approved
system. The social atmosphere not only mount a sort of buffer solutions, but
also gave citizens at least the illusion of security, the conceit that they could
avoid being victimized if they avoided certain activities or certain
associations.
ix. Cyber Crime - Where the difference lies?
Difference between Cyber-crime and traditional crime
First of all, Cyber crime is essentially committed on or with the help of
Cyber technology. Therefore, nature and scope of Cyber-crime should be
analyzed on different footing. Therefore, uses of computer, an electronic
device, for the commission of crime is essential ingredient of Cyber crime.
However, traditional crime does not have such condition precedent.
Cyber-crime differ from so-called traditional crime because Cyber-
technology provides wrongdoer special conditions where he can hide his
identity, even wrongdoer can use fake identity, he can have access the
computers of victims without his knowledge and without any restrictions.
Here no national boundaries can restrict the entry of wrongdoer. At the same
time, procedures developed to trace out the traditional crimes may not be
useful in case of Cyber crime. Most of the time no fingerprints available, no
blood stain, no DNA test analysis is useful to fix the identity of an individual.
Moreover, he may not be essentially having presence within your national
boundaries that causes difficulties in investigation of crime as well as
arresting the criminals.
The nature of Cyber-crime is somewhat different from traditional
crimes. Moreover, special category can be created under the banner of Cyber-
criminality to provide different treatment to the crimes falling under this
head. The plot of commission of crime may entirely different in case of Cyber-
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

crime. Therefore, for most of the traditional crime is concerned, physical

presence of criminal is essential for commission of crime. Therefore while
commission of traditional crime and afterwards we may trace out the
presences of criminal on the scene. In such cases physical presence of an
offender become most important question and his defense in the form of alibi
play important role. However as Cyber-crime may be committed without
being remain present on the actual scene of commission of crime, the
techniques developed to trace out the offenders committing traditional
offences are not more useful. In Cyber-crime, one may not find hairs,
fingerprints, footprints, bloodstains, and smell of offenders. These sniffers
(police dogs) are hardly having any use in case of Cyber-crime.
x. Cyber crime - the Space which does not recognize and
respect territorial boundaries
The Cyberspace is the place where the entire place is opened for all
surfers irrespective of his nationality. Everybody can enter into Cyber world
without visa or passport. Thus Cyber Crime presents the nations of the world
with a problem they have never before had to address, i.e., the permeability of
national borders. Technology gives the ability to loot and inflict harm upon
the entire world with little risk of apprehension and allows for experimenting
with new varieties of criminal endeavors.33
Cyber crime - mixture of Traditional and Modern
Some of the Cyber crime that appears in Cyber space is resemble with
the traditional criminality only with the difference that they are committed in
Cyberspace with the help of computers. Some of the Cyber crime that
resemble with traditional crime fall in the categories of economic offences.
Thus Cyber crime (that) ranges from economic offences (fraud, theft,
industrial espionage, sabotage and extortion, product piracy, etc.) can be
discussed on the same footing as if of traditional crime only with the
difference that they have been committed with the help of computers.
Therefore, while dealing with the crime similar with old-fashioned crime,
only procedure will be different. However, some of the crimes committed in
Cyber space are entirely new in varieties, e.g. infringements on privacy,
propagation of illegal and harmful content, facilitation of prostitution and
other moral offenses, and organized crime. At its most severe, Cyber crime
borders on terrorism, encompassing attacks against human life and against
national security establishments, critical infrastructure, and other vital veins
of society. As these crimes involve a complex phenomenon either due to its

33 Jain Atul, Cyber Crime: Issues Threats and Management, (Vol I) Isha Books Delhi, pg. 4
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 The concept of Cyber Crime : Nature & Scope

special type or due to its transnational nature, it requires to be considered on

entirely different footings.
Conclusion
Thus may it be, at conceptual and substantial level, Cyber crimes do not
appear as a separate category and can be treated on the same footing with
traditional crime; however, the analytical scrutiny reveals some different
criterion for consideration. Some of the categories of Cyber crimes are
definitely resemble with traditional crimes, but some are entirely new. At the
same time the Trans-national nature of Cyber crime, compel the legal thinker
to have second thought over it. Thus on the ground of Trans-nationality,
global effect, technological involvement and non-applicability of traditional
tools of investigation deserve separate jurisprudential approach for Cyber
Crime.
At the same time, difference in various model of criminal justice system
in different part of the world, different ideologies, principles, notions and
objectives of each nation make Cyber crime more difficult to define and deal.
Cross-border reflection of Cyber crime definitely requires separate
procedure, investigative mechanism, and international cooperation and
trans-national treatment. On this account, definitely, Cyber crime differs from
traditional crime and capable of forming separate heads in penal laws and
criminal procedure laws.

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