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Introduction
In our modern technology-driven age, keeping our personal information private is
becoming more difficult. The truth is, highly classified details are becoming more
available to public databases, because we are more interconnected than ever. Our
data is available for almost anyone to sift through due to this interconnectivity. This
creates a negative stigma that the use of technology is dangerous because
practically anyone can access ones private information for a price. Technology
continues to promise to ease our daily lives; however, there are dangers of using
technology. One of the main dangers of using technology is the threat of
cybercrimes.
Common internet users may be unaware of cybercrimes, let alone what to do if they
fall victim of cyber-attacks. Cybercrimes are any crimes that cause harm to another
individual using a computer and a network. Cybercrimes can occur by issues
surrounding penetration of privacy and confidentiality. When privacy and confidential
information is lost or interrupted by unlawfully individuals, it gives way to high profile
crimes such as hacking, cyber terrorism, financial theft, copyright infringement,
spamming, cyber warfare and many more crimes which occur across borders.
Cybercrimes can happen to anyone once their information is breach by an unlawful
user. (webopedia.com)
Definitions
Cyber
According to Oxford Dictionary, cyber means characteristics of the culture of
computers, information technology and virtual reality; eg : communication networks
such as the internet.
Cyberspace
Meanwhile, cyberspace is the notional environment in which communication over
computer network occurs. The term was first used in science fiction in 1980s and
was adopted by computer professionals and has become a general term in 1990s.
During this period the uses of internet, networking and digital communication were all
growing dramatically and the term cyberspace was able to represent the new ideas
and become social phenomenon in the 21st century.
The term cyberspace has become a conventional
associated with the internet and the diverse internet culture. Individual can interact,
exchange ideas, share information, provide social support, conduct business, direct
actions, create artistic media, play games, engage in discussion and so on.
Cybercrime
Cybercrime or computer crime refers to any crime that involves a computer and a
network. Cybercrimes is define as Offences that are committed against individuals
or groups of individuals with a crime motive to intentionally harm the reputation of the
victim or cause physical or mental harm to the victim directly or indirectly using
modern telecommunication network such as internet (such as emails/ mms). Such
crimes may threaten a national security likes espionage and financial health such as
financial fraud and theft. Cybercrime also may involve cross border crimes likes
human trafficking.
Categories of Cybercrimes
Cybercrimes can be divided into three categories. There are crimes against persons,
properties and organisations like government agencies or private institutions. The
crime against person is done through harassment via email, mms, chat rooms using
sexual, racial, religious or other issues. The second category of cybercrime is
against properties such as computer vandalism by transmission of harmful
programmes to other computer through internet. Stealing of information is a property
theft such as obtaining unauthorised individual bank account. Hacking into company
websites is also a property trespass. The other category of cybercrime is against
government or private institutions. This constitutes higher level of cybercrime. Cyber
terrorism is the most serious type of crime in this category. Hacking into government
websites such as military sites is one manifestation of cyber terrorism. Other
example of cybercrime in this category is web jacking. By web jacking, hackers gain
access and control over the website of another and they will change the content of
website for fulfilling political objective or for money.
Cybercrime in Malaysia
The Sophos Security Threat Report 2013 has listed Malaysia along with several
countries, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, China, India and Indonesia as the
most vulnerable to cybercrime. Cyber criminals have hit Malaysia to the tune of
RM1bil in losses.
Johari said Malaysians were also facing threats from international criminal
organisations which abuse the internet for activities such as drugs, human trafficking,
financial fraud and money laundering.
Statistically cybercrime in the country increased to 10,636 cases in 2013 as
compared to 9,986 cases the previous year. The statistics from the Malaysia
Computer Emergency Response Team (MyCERT) showed incidents on malicious
codes had the highest increase with 1,106 more cases recorded last year, from 645
cases in 2012. Incidents of cyber harassment, fraud and spam have shown a slight
increase with the highest reduction in intrusion incidents. It is urged that all parties,
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Conclusion
The rapid and unrestricted online social interaction have spawned serious other
underlying issues and created challenges in the form of loopholes in the current
laws, economic development, political stability and social wellbeing. False and
malicious information that is spread via internet have led to social problems. The
crimes have not only targeted the individuals but the government and organisations.
The online criminal networks, the cyber terrorism cannot be taken lightly as it can
destroy the infrastructures of National ICT, spread political and militant propaganda
and even recruitment of extremist groups or separatist forces.
Cybercrimes create an overwhelming task for law enforcement agencies since they
are extremely technological crimes. Law enforcement organizations must have
individuals trained in computer disciplines and computer forensics in order to
accurately investigate computer crimes or cybercrimes that have been committed.
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The task of enforcement of cyber law has gone beyond borders and raise issues of
jurisdiction. Thus the government in particular the law enforcement agencies should
be more vigilant and monitored closely the online development particularly the
suspected websites in and outside the country.