JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD B.Tech III Year CYBER SECURITY Previous Question Paper (November/December - 2020 - R16)

The Information Technology Act, 2000 was enacted to provide a legal framework for electronic governance and to facilitate electronic commerce in India. Its primary objectives include granting legal recognition to electronic transactions, providing legal validity to digital signatures, and establishing a regulatory framework for cyber activities.

The scope of the Act is comprehensive, covering:

• Legal recognition for electronic records and digital signatures.
• Regulation of Certifying Authorities and the Controller of Certifying Authorities.
• Establishment of the Cyber Appellate Tribunal to resolve disputes.
• Definition of cyber offenses and contraventions, including penalties and adjudication procedures.
• Application to offenses committed outside India if the act involves a computer or network located in India.

By providing a structured legal environment, the Act aims to build trust in electronic communications and protect against unauthorized access, data theft, and cyber fraud.

Cyber crimes are broadly classified based on the target of the attack and the nature of the criminal activity. They are categorized as follows:

• Crimes against Individuals: Includes harassment via electronic mail, cyber-stalking, defamation, and dissemination of obscene material.
• Crimes against Property: Involves computer vandalism, intellectual property crimes (software piracy, copyright infringement), and unauthorized access to computer systems (hacking).
• Crimes against Government: Includes cyber-terrorism, cyber-warfare, and unauthorized access to government databases or critical infrastructure.
• Financial Crimes: Encompasses phishing, credit card fraud, online banking fraud, and identity theft aimed at monetary gain.
• Content-related Crimes: Involves the creation and distribution of illegal content, such as child pornography, hate speech, or content promoting illegal acts.