Introduction to Information Technology Act

INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT

In the 21stcentury, Computer, Internet and ICT or e-revolution has changed the life style of the people. Today paper based communication has been substituted by e-communication. Accordingly we have new terminologies like cyber world, e-transaction, e-banking, e-return and e-contracts. Apart from positive side of e-revolution there is also negative side of computer, that is, the internet and ICT in the hands of criminals which has become a weapon of offence. Accordingly a new panel of members emerged to tackle the problems of cyber crimes in cyber space i.e. Cyber Law or Cyber Space Law or Information Technology Law or Internet Law.

In India Cyber law and IT Act 2000 , modified in 2008 are being articulated to prevent computer crimes. IT Act 2000 is an act to provide legal recognition for transactions carried out by means of ElectronicData Interchange(EDI) and other means of electronic communication. It is the primary law in India dealing with cybercrime and electronic commerce(e-Commerce). e-Commerce is electronic data exchange or electronic filing of information.

PREVENTION

25% of cyber crime remains unsolved. To protect the information the following points to be noted:

• Complex password setting can make your surfing secured.

• When the internet is not in use, disconnect it.

• Do NOT open spam mail or emails that have an unfamiliar sender.

• When using anti-virus software, keep it up-to-date.