Cyberlaw

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Cyberlaw is any law that governances the use of networks and electronic devices connected to the internet.

Please note if your country dosen't have any cyberlaws dosen't mean your safe. People have been arrested on fraud charges or extradited to a country affected by your actions which has cyberlaw.

Australian Cyberlaw

Acts Applying to Cybercrime in Australia

• Crimes Act 1914
• Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
• Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979
• Criminal Code Act 1995
• Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000
• Cybercrime Act 2001

Cybercrime Act 2001 Offences

These are the main federal offences in Australia, state laws can and are usually applicable to cybercrime as well but are not mentioned here due to the diversity.

Division 477—Serious computer offences

• 477.1 Unauthorised access, modification or impairment with intent to commit a serious offence
• 477.2 Unauthorised modification of data to cause impairment
• 477.3 Unauthorised impairment of electronic communication

Division 478—Other computer offences

• 478.1 Unauthorised access to, or modification of, restricted data
• 478.2 Unauthorised impairment of data held on a computer disk etc.
• 478.3 Possession or control of data with intent to commit a computer offence
• 478.4 Producing, supplying or obtaining data with intent to commit a computer offence

Case Study: First Cybercrime Conviction in Australia

There were no laws prior to the late 1980’s in Australia regarding cybercrime. For this reason, Australian hackers were quite prevalent as all and any actions on computers and between networks. Nahshon Even-Chaim born in May 1971 went by the nickname Phoenix. He was actively involved in computer network intrusion and unauthorized modification of files to maintain access. Near the end of 1987, Even-Chaim begun breaking into US networks used for energy and nuclear research. Once the US authorities were alerted of this, there was huge political pressure for Australia to have laws regarding cybercrime.

Responding to that pressure, in June 1988, the Australian government enacted the first computer crime laws. Thanks to the new computer crime legislation, the Australian Federal Police obtained a warrant in January 1990 to wiretap the suspects’ phone conversations as well as all data going in and out of his computer. These lasted 8 and 6 weeks respectively, with the AFP extracting and analyzing all data. This was the first time in the world a remote data intercept had been used to gain evidence to prosecute computer crime.

On 6 October 1993, Even-Chaim, had negotiated a deal to plead guilty for his charges to be dropped from 48 to 15. He was then sentenced to 500 hours of community service, with a 12 month suspended jail term.

European Cyberlaw

The Budapest Convention on Cybercrime is the first international convention relating to cybercrime, intended to improved cooperation and methodology between nations. As an international treaty, it is signed and ratified by many countries in and out of the European Union. You can find a detailed list of countries currently participating here. The laws only apply if the government of a country has ratified the treaty.

Definititons of Cybercrime as per the Budapest Convention

• Any form of intentional illegal access (e.g. bruteforcing some pw to gain ssh access to a box) is prohibited. the ratifying party may require that the offence must be committed with dishonest intent and/or through an outside source (via networking).
• Any form of intentional illegal interception (e.g. packet sniffing) is prohibited. again: the ratifying party may require that the offence must be committed with dishonest intent and/or through an outside source (via networking).
• The intentional alteration of data (e.g. deleting files from a box that's not yours, alteration of newsarticles on public websites etc.) without right is prohibited. the ratifying party may require that the offence results in serious harm.
• Any form of system interference (e.g. replacing cat with rm, installing a malicious virus on a system thats not yours, probably even DoS etc.) is prohibited.
  • Interference is defined as: inputting, transmitting, damaging, deleting, deteriorating, alteration or suppression of computer data without right.
• The intentional production, sale, procurement for use, import, distribution or otherwise making available of:
  • devices (incl. computer programs) designed for the purpose of committing any of the offences mentioned previously.
  • a password/access code with intent that it be used for the purpose of committing any of above mentioned offences is prohibited.
• The possession of an item referred to in the previous point with intent that it be used for said purposes is prohibited.
• Any form of computer-related forgery (e.g. manipulating court-evidence, editing a surveillance video etc.), with the intent that it be considered for legal purposes as if it were authentic, is prohibited.
• The intentional and unrightful causing of a loss (including decrease of value) of property to another person by:
  • any input, alteration, deletion or suppresion of computer data
  • any interference with the functioning of a computer system

Notice: Penalties for the possession of items that are designed for committing the offences detailed above do not include any rightful performed penetration tests or tools used for such.

The articles of the Budapest Convention are not directly applicable to local law; they will never be directly cited in a cybercrime case. In all cases, the local government's executive is carried out. The Budapest Convention also contains articles on copyright infringement, child pornography, xenophobic behaviour and similar items that are beyond the scope of BHA. Be aware that this article is not inteded to encompass the entirety of the Convention. Almost every jurisdiction that uses the Budapest Convention upholds a different variation, so check your local ordnance in all cases.

Protip: In most cybercrime cases, an individual will not have contact with the police until some form of confrontation/arrest is occuring. Nevertheless, it is pertinent to note that there is very rarely any reason for a suspect to talk to the police at all, other than to give a name.

Indian Cyberlaw

Acts Applying to Cybercrime in India

• The Information Technology Act 2000
• The IT Amendment Act 2008

The Information Technology Act 2000 Offences

This is a summary with amendments made within the IT Amendment Act 2008

43 Penalty for damage to computer, computer system, etc.

If anyone does any of the following without the owners permission they shall be given the punishment stated at the end

• Access computer system or network
• Cause malware to infect the computer or computer network
• Damage or cause damage to be done to any computer, computer system, computer network, data, database or any programs on the computer or computer network.
• Disrupts computer or computer network
• Denies are causes denial of access to a computer or computer network by any means.
• Provides assistance to any person to access the computer or computer network
• Charges the services availed by the user by tampering or manipulating the computer or computer network

Punishment - Pay damages by compensation up to one crore rupees to the person affected.

65. Tampering with computer source documents

Concealing, destroying or altering any computer source code when the computer source code is required to be kept/maintained by law.

Punishment - Imprisonment up to 3 years or fine up to 2 lakh rupee or both.

66. Hacking with computer system

If any person, dishonestly or fraudulently, does any act referred to in section 43

Punishment - Imprisonment up to three years or fine up to five lakh rupees or both.

66A Anyone who send by use of a computer resource or communication device (a) grossly offensive or menacing information (b)information which they know to be false in order to cause annoyance, inconvienience, danger obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or ill will using a computer resource or communication device (c) Email or message intended to cause annoyance or to deceive the recipient about their origin

Punishment - Imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine

66B Dishonestly recieving stolen computer resource communication device Knowing or having reason to believe it was stolen

Punishment - Imprisonment up to 3 years or fine up to 1 lakh or both

66C Fraudulently using an electronic signature, password or other unique id feature of any other person

Punishment: Imprisonment up to 3 years or fine up to 1 lakh rupees.

66D Cheating by presentation by means of any communication device or computer resource

Punishment - Imprisonment up to 3 years or fine up to 1 lakh rupees.

66E Capturing, Publishing or Transmitting the image of a private area of any person Without consent

Punishment - Imprisonment up to 3 years or fine up to 2 lakh rupees or both.

66F (1) Whoever, with intent to threaten the unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of India or to strike terror in the people or any section of the people by –

• (i) Denying or cause the denial of access to any person authorised to access computer resource; or

• (ii) Attempting to penetrate or access a computer resource without authorisation or exceeding authorised access; or

• (iii) Introducing or causing to introduce any Computer Contaminant, and by means of such conduct causes or is likely to cause death or injuries to persons or damage to or destruction of property or disrupts or knowing that it is likely to cause damage or disruption of supplies or services essential to the life of the community or adversely affect the critical information infrastructure specified under section 70, or

(B) knowingly or intentionally penetrates or accesses a computer resource without authorisation or exceeding authorised access, and by means of such conduct obtains access to information, data or computer database that is restricted for reasons of the security of the State or foreign relations; or any restricted information, data or computer database, with reasons to believe that such information, data or computer database so obtained may be used to cause or likely to cause injury to the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence, or to the advantage of any foreign nation, group of individuals or otherwise, commits the offence of cyber terrorism.

(2) Whoever commits or conspires to commit cyber terrorism shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to imprisonment for life’.

69. Powers to issue directions for interception or monitoring or decryption of any information through any computer resource

(1) Where the central Government or a State Government or any of its officer specially authorised by the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, in this behalf may, if satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of India, defense of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above or for investigation of any offence, it may, subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order, direct any agency of the appropriate Government to intercept, monitor or decrypt or cause to be intercepted or monitored or decrypted any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource.

(2) The Procedure and safeguards subject to which such interception or monitoring or decryption may be carried out, shall be such as may be prescribed.

(3) The subscriber or intermediary or any person in charge of the computer resource shall, when called upon by any agency which has been directed under sub section (1), extend all facilities and technical assistance to -

• (a) provide access to or secure access to the computer resource generating, transmitting, receiving or storing such information; or

• (b) intercept, monitor, or decrypt the information, as the case may be; or

• (c) provide information stored in computer resource.

(4) The subscriber or intermediary or any person who fails to assist the agency referred to in sub-section (3) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.

69A. Power to issue directions for blocking for public access of any information through any computer resource

(1) Where the Central Government or any of its officer specially authorised by it in this behalf is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above, it may subject to the provisions of sub-sections (2), for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order direct any agency of the Government or intermediary to block access by the public or cause to be blocked for access by public any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource.

(2) The procedure and safeguards subject to which such blocking for access by the public may be carried out shall be such as may be prescribed.

(3) The intermediary who fails to comply with the direction issued under sub-section (1) shall be punished with an imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and also be liable to fine.

69B. Power to authorise to monitor and collect traffic data or information through any computer resource for Cyber Security

(1) The Central Government may, to enhance Cyber Security and for identification, analysis and prevention of any intrusion or spread of computer contaminant in the country, by notification in the official Gazette, authorise any agency of the Government to monitor and collect traffic data or information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource.

(2) The Intermediary or any person in-charge of the Computer resource shall when called upon by the agency which has been authorised under sub-section (1), provide technical assistance and extend all facilities to such agency to enable online access or to secure and provide online access to the computer resource generating, transmitting, receiving or storing such traffic data or information.

(3) The procedure and safeguards for monitoring and collecting traffic data or information, shall be such as may be prescribed.

(4) Any intermediary who intentionally or knowingly contravenes the provisions of sub-section (2) shall be punished with an imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation - For the purposes of this section,

• (i) "Computer Contaminant" shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 43;

• (ii) "traffic data" means any data identifying or purporting to identify any person, computer system or computer network or location to or from which the communication is or may be transmitted and includes communications origin, destination, route, time, date, size, duration or type of underlying service or any other information.

70. Protected system

(1)The appropriate Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare any computer resource which affects the facility of Critical Information Infrastructure, to be a protected system.

Explanation: For the purposes of this section, "Critical Information Infrastructure" means the computer resource, the incapacitation or destruction of which, shall have debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety.

(2) The Government may authorise persons to access protected systems notified under sub-section (1).

(3) Any person who secures access or attempts to secure access to a protected system in contravention of the provisions of this section

Punishment - Imprisonment up to ten years or fine or both.

(4) The Central Government shall prescribe the information security practices and procedures for such protected system.

70A. National nodal agency

(1) The Central Government may, by notification published in the official Gazette, designate any organization of the Government as the national nodal agency in respect of Critical Information Infrastructure Protection.

(2) The national nodal agency designated under sub-section (1) shall be responsible for all measures including Research and Development relating to protection of Critical Information Infrastructure.

(3) The manner of performing functions and duties of the agency referred to in sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed.

70B. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team to serve as national agency for incident response

(1) The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint an agency of the government to be called the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team.

(2) The Central Government shall provide the agency referred to in sub-section (1) with a Director General and such other officers and employees as may be prescribed.

(3) The salary and allowances and terms and conditions of the Director General and other officers and employees shall be such as may be prescribed.

(4) The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team shall serve as the national agency for performing the following functions in the area of Cyber Security,-

• (a) collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents;

• (b) forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents;

• (c) emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents;

• (d) coordination of cyber incidents response activities;

• (e) issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and white papers relating to information security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents;

• (f) such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed.

(5) The manner of performing functions and duties of the agency referred to in sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed.

(6) For carrying out the provisions of sub-section (4), the agency referred to in sub-section (1) may call for information and give direction to the service providers, intermediaries, data centers, body corporate and any other person.

(7) Any service provider, intermediaries, data centers, body corporate or person who fails to provide the information called for or comply with the direction under sub-section (6), shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both.

(8) No Court shall take cognizance of any offence under this section, except on a complaint made by an officer authorised in this behalf by the agency referred to in sub-section (1)

71. Penalty for misrepresentation

Misrepresenting to, or suppress any material fact from, the Controller or the Certifying Authority for obtaining any license or Electronic Signature Certificate, as the case may be

Punishment - Imprisonment up to two years or fine up to one lakh rupees or both.

72. Penalty for breach of confidentiality and privacy

Anyone who secured access to any electronic record, book, register, correspondence, information, document or other material without the consent of the person concerned discloses such electronic record, book, register, correspondence, information, document or other material to any other person

Punishment - Imprisonment up to two years or fine up to one lakh rupees or both.

72A. Punishment for Disclosure of information in breach of lawful contract Anyone who has secured access to any material containing personal information about another person, with the intent to cause or knowing that he is likely to cause wrongful loss or wrongful gain discloses, without the consent of the person concerned, or in breach of a lawful contract, such material to any other person

Punishment - Imprisonment up to three years or fine up to five lakh rupees or both.

73. Penalty for publishing electronic Signature Certificate false in certain particulars

No person shall publish a Electronic Signature Certificate or otherwise make it available to any other person with the knowledge that -

(a) the Certifying Authority listed in the certificate has not issued it; or

(b) the subscriber listed in the certificate has not accepted it; or

(c) the certificate has been revoked or suspended,

unless such publication is for the purpose of verifying a digital signature created prior to such suspension or revocation

Punishment - Imprisonment up to two years or fine up to one lakh rupees or both.

74. Publication for fraudulent purpose

Whoever knowingly creates publishes or otherwise makes available a Electronic Signature Certificate for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose

Punishment - Imprisonment up to two years or fine up to one lakh rupees or both.

75. Act to apply for offence or contraventions committed outside India

The provisions of this Act shall apply also to any offence or contravention committed outside India by any person irrespective of his nationality.

This Act shall apply to an offence or contravention committed outside India by any person if the act or conduct constituting the offence or contravention involves a computer, computer system or computer network located in India.

76. Confiscation

Any computer, computer system, storage device or any other accessories, in respect of which any provision of this Act, rules, orders or regulations made there under has been or is being contravened, shall be liable to confiscation:

Provided that where it is established to the satisfaction of the court adjudicating the confiscation that the person in whose possession, power or control of any such computer, computer system, storage device or any other accessories relating thereto is found is not responsible for the contravention of the provisions of this Act, rules, orders or regulations made there under, the court may, instead of making an order for confiscation of such computer, computer system, floppies, compact disks, tape drives or any other accessories related thereto, make such other order authorised by this Act against the person contravening of the provisions of this Act, rules, orders or regulations made there under as it may think fit.

77. Compensation, penalties or confiscation not to interfere with other punishment

No compensation awarded, penalty imposed or confiscation made under this Act shall prevent the award of compensation or imposition of any other penalty or punishment under any other law for the time being in force.

77A. Compounding of Offences

(1) A Court of competent jurisdiction may compound offences other than offences for which the punishment for life or imprisonment for a term exceeding three years has been provided under this Act.

Provided that the Court shall not compound such offence where the accused is by reason of his previous conviction, liable to either enhanced punishment or to a punishment of a different kind.

Provided further that the Court shall not compound any offence where such offence affects the socio-economic conditions of the country or has been committed against a child below the age of 18 years or a woman.

(2) The person accused of an offence under this act may file an application for compounding in the court in which offence is pending for trial and the provisions of section 265-B and 265-C of Code of Criminal Procedures, 1973 shall apply.

77B. Offences with three years imprisonment to be cognizable

(1) Not withstanding anything contained in Criminal Procedure Code 1973, the offence punishable with imprisonment of three years and above shall be cognizable and the offence punishable with imprisonment of three years shall be bailable.

78. Power to investigate offences

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, only a police officer with or above the the rank of Inspector shall investigate any crimes breaking the laws in this Act.

The IT Act also contains articles on copyright infringement, child pornography, publishment obscene material and similar items that are beyond the scope of BHA. Be aware that this article is not inteded to encompass the entirety of the IT Act.