National Cyber Crime Portal | Cyber Crimes in India

Cyber crimes are crimes committed on a computer. Cyber crimes are defined as a systematic criminal activity that is performed digitally. Cyber crimes are committed through the use of the internet.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, a cybercrime is defined as ‘an unlawful act where a computer or communication device or network is used to commit the crime’.

With the increase in the use of the internet, cyber crime cases are increasing rapidly. Thus, data and citizens should be protected from being exploited by cyber attackers and the location of reporting of such crimes. Therefore, the National Cyber Crime Portal was developed.

Types of Cybercrime

Hacking

The system of a person is hacked to obtain personal information. The hacker usually uses a different type of software to enter into the system of the targeted person. Hackers are then able to monitor the activity by the person.

Piracy

Piracy involves copyright infringement and downloading pirated movies and music. Sometimes, movies are downloaded even before they are released, thus, causing a loss to the organisation.

Cyber Stalking

This is referred to as harassment by an individual or a group of people virtually. Stalkers do not come in front and target an individual and harass online. This type of stalking at times results in suicide by the targeted person and sending messages to any woman on social media and calling her despite ignorance.

Malicious Software

In this type of cybercrime, virus affected software gets installed in the target people or organisation computer. It is to damage the system and corrupt the data.

Cyber Bullying

Posting an obscene picture on social media or blackmailing with pictures of private parts to intimidate sexually, sending rape threats, are some forms of cyberbullying.

Phishing

Sending fake messages and emails with a link to the web page to gather the victim’s personal information or install harmful viruses into devices.

Any type of digital crime or crime that includes computers or the Internet can be reported at the Cyber Crime Portal other than the conventional way of reporting.

Meaning of Cybercrime Portal

The Cyber Crime Portal is an initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government of India under the National Mission for women’s safety that facilitates victims or complainants to report the cybercrime complaint online.

Other than the offline mode of registering a complaint, the cybercrime complaint can also be registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal online.

Purpose of the Cybercrime Portal

The portal was set up to refer to complaints related to online child pornography, child sexual abuse material or content such as rape, gang rape.

Complaints on this portal are dealt with by the local police.

The portal also provides the option of anonymously reporting the offence mentioned above as directed by the Supreme Court in the suo motu writ petition.

Types of Cybercrimes:

1. Crime related to women and children: A complaint related to online child pornography, child sexual abuse material, or sexual content such as rape / gang rape.
2. Report other cybercrimes: A complaint related to other cybercrimes such as mobile crime, media crime, and online financial fraud.

Report a Cybercrime

Ways to report cybercrime

Cybercrimes can be reported as follows:

• Report anonymously

  In this case, the personal information of the complainant is not revealed. Data related to the complaint should be accurate and complete for the police authorities to take necessary actions.

• Report and track

  In this case, details related to name, email address, and other complaints are necessary, and information supporting the complaint should be entered.

Steps to be followed to report a cybercrime online

The following steps should be considered when reporting a cybercrime on the cyber crime portal:

In case of an anonymous report

• Visit the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal
• The complainant will not have to provide any personal information
• Crimes like child pornography, Child sexual abuse, rape, gang rape can only be reported anonymously.

In the case of Report and Track

• Visit the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal to report on the cyber crime portal.
• Choose the option of ‘Report and Track’ while initiating the registration of complaints on the portal.
• Register yourself and provide details (like name, phone number, email address etc.)
• An OTP is sent on the number provided while registering a complaint.
• When the OTP is entered, the complaint is successfully registered.
• When a complaint is registered, the complainant should choose the category and sub-category and provide further details.

Information Required to File a Report

• Any receipt in case of transaction such as credit card receipt, mobile transfer receipt
• Copy of email or chat transcripts or any other suspect that are related to the crime.
• In case any envelope is received that may be required.
• Image or video related to the complaint
• URL of the webpage
• Any other document supporting the complaint

Conclusion

Cybercrime is a threat that causes considerable losses to the individual and an organisation. Cybercrime complaints can be filed both offline and online.

The cybercrime portal is an initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government in India to provide safety and security to children and women.

The procedure is to be followed in case of filing a complaint relating to cybercrime, and all the details asked by the authority should be filled appropriately.