Several intriguing statistics revealed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) worldwide mapping of anti-cybercrime laws show that an increasing number of countries, including those in Asia and Africa, are prioritizing the problem of cybercrime. 107 countries currently have comprehensive data protection and privacy laws in place.
In recent years, it has become clear that cybercrime is a massive worldwide danger, one that billions of dollars are being spent on in a frantic but essential attempt to fight and control. As such, we must understand exactly what cybercrime involves.
What exactly is cybercrime?
Cybercrime is a broad term that encompasses any wrongdoing and criminal activity using computers and worldwide electronic computer networks. Several of these actions are motivated by a variety of objectives, ranging from profiteering invaders to scary instances of cyber terrorism, from identity theft to corporate system assaults, and from wanton property destruction to pure obscenity.
Whether the computer was used to conduct the crime or was the victim of the crime, as long as it includes a computer, the act is automatically classified as a cybercrime. Cybercrime includes the following:
- Exchanging pornographic content, whether kid or adult;
- Pornography of vengeance;
- Infringement of intellectual property rights;
- Harassment and stalking (alternatively referred to as cyberbullying);
- Cyberattacks (which obstruct the operation of legally established computer networks);
- Espionage;
- Theft of identity;
- Falsehood (including bank and credit card fraud among other schemes).
Federal statutes against fraud
Cybercrimes include offenses against information and information systems, offenses against communications and technology, and offenses against the internet. Because these crimes are so widespread, the reaction against them must be coordinated and worldwide. Organizations and people should constantly strive to comply with regulatory standards enacted to combat cybercrime.
Everyone must realize that using the internet to commit cybercrime leads to criminal prosecution, which may have devastating repercussions. Examples of such government-led crackdowns include the Megaload case and the DDoS assault on the US Department of Justice’s website (Cybercrimes, 2018).
Several federal laws have been enacted in the United States to ban the use of certain ports to commit cybercrime. These include the following:
Email fraud statute
Thus, it relates to online spam and fraud. It is illegal to gain unauthorized access to a protected computer to send, transmit, or relay commercial communications or change header information in/through electronic mail.
Computer fraud statute
It is a felony to gain unauthorized access to a single computer or a computer network for the purpose of trafficking passwords or classified information, committing fraud, or transmitting harmful code.
Wire fraud statue
Utilizing radio, television, wire or cable networks, or any kind of computer utilized by governments, businesses, or financial institutions to perpetrate fraudulent schemes is a federal felony.
What can you do to combat cybercrime?
Individuals may contribute to the battle against cybercrime in a variety of ways. The first of them is to get familiar with the numerous laws against cybercrime in various countries around the world (Cybercrime Law, 2017). After investing the time and effort required to become familiar with these laws, it is essential to adhere to these rules, regardless of whether you are a person, a financial institution, a company, or a corporate identity.
Additionally, you must educate your employees, family, and friends on how to identify cybercrime, abstain from engaging in it or anything that seems to be it, and promptly report any suspicious behavior to the proper authorities.