With the advancement in modern technology, where there are many good aspects, various negative aspects have also been highlighted. These negative features of the technology are potentially harmful not only for the individuals but also for the communities.
Internet is one of the most commonly used technologies of modern times. Certain negative things are linked with it along with positive ones. It is perhaps the fastest way of communication and linking. Variety of tasks is accomplished these days with the help of internet including online banking and global networking.
The term “Cyber-crimes” refers to the use of modern technology with negative intentions. Legally, the term is defined as “a criminal offense on the Web, a criminal offense regarding the Internet, a violation of law on the Internet, an illegality committed with regard to the Internet”.
There are several forms of these crimes including hacking, spams, frauds, harassment, threats, cyber terrorism and cyber bullying. FBI has strict laws against such crimes. Cyber-crimes are spreading rapidly even among the least-developed African countries. United States is on the top of the list as a victim of Cyber-crimes. This issue is becoming a serious cause of concern in the modern age of technology and globalization.
Pakistan is one of the few countries where cyber laws are not implemented. The rate of cyber related crimes is hence increasing at a very fast rate in our country. Online banking is most vulnerable to these crimes. Every day, cellular companies of the countries encounter many cases of cyber-crimes. It is chaotic that many systems of the country are computerized and still we have no organization to prevent cyber-crimes.
On December 31, 2007, President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf broadcasted a law named as “the prevention of electronic crimes ordinance”(PECO). This ordinance contained clear cut rules for electronic media usage and punishments regarding misuse of any kind. This was later passed as a bill called Cyber-crime Bill but unfortunately it is not implemented in the way it must be.
Federal Investigation authority (FIA) has established National Response center for Cyber-crimes (NR3C). This center registers and deals with the cyber related crimes in a legal way. Most of the cases yet registered are related to threatening and misusing of personal information. NR3C is providing single point of contact for all local and foreign organization for all matters related to cyber-crimes. It is imparting trainings and related security education to persons of government/semi-government and private sector organizations. It has also conducted a number of seminars in different cities of the country to educate sensitive government organizations regarding cyber-attacks on their information resources, information breech and to make their systems secure against all such threats.
Cyber linked crimes need attention of concerned authorities for the implementation of laws. It is quite possible that the rate may grow many folds in near future which would be highly damaging to the society as well as economy.
By : Aimon Malghani
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