READIT-2007 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

4.18 Web jacking
Forceful taking of the control of a web site by cracking the password, is termed as ‘web
jacking’. In this case, actual owner of the website does not have any more control over what
appears on that website.
4.19 Phishing
Phishing is the act of sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established
legitimate business in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will
be used for identity theft. The email directs the user to visit a Web site where he or she is asked
to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank
account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has issued. The Web site, however, is
bogus and set up only to steal the user’s information. Phishing combines the power of the
internet with universal human nature to defraud millions of people out of billions of dollars
across the globe. It is very important to note that nearly every internet user has received a
phishing email by now.
5. CYBER CRIMINALS
Any person who commits an illegal act with a guilty intention or commits a crime is
called an offender or a criminal. In this context, any person who commits a Cyber Crime is
known as a Cyber Criminal. It seems really difficult to believe but true that most of the amateur
hackers and cyber criminals are teenagers in the age group of 9 to 16. To them, who have just
begun to understand what appears to be a lot about computers, it is a matter of pride to have
hacked into a computer system or a website. These young rebels may also commit cyber crimes
without really knowing that they are doing anything wrong.
Persons who hack web sites with political motive are known as Hacktivists. The attacks
on approximately 200 prominent Indian websites by a group of hackers known as Pakistani
Cyber Warriors are a good example of political hacktivists at work. Hacking of web sites with
religious and social motive is also increasing across the globe. Sometimes displeased employees
of an organization can be turned as hacker. Earlier they had the option of going on strike against
their bosses. Now, with the increase independence on computers and the automation of
processes, it is easier for disgruntled employees to do more harm to their employers by
committing computer related crimes, which can bring entire systems down and cause heavy
monetary loss. It is a well known secret that extensive computerization has resulted in business
organizations storing all their information in electronic form. So, rival organizations employ
hackers to steal industrial secrets and other information that could be beneficial to them. The
temptation to use professional hackers for industrial espionage also stems from the fact that
physical presence required to gain access to important documents is rendered needless if hacking
can retrieve those.
6. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT 2000
Realising the importance of the enactment of suitable Act to combat cyber crimes,
the Government of India after careful consideration passed the Information Technology Act
2000. But, experts felt that the IT Act, 2000, is primarily meant to be a legislation to promote e-
138