IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON VIRTUAL SPACE
Author: Akanksha Yadav, V year of B.B.A.,LL.B. from Jamnalal Bajaj School Of Legal Studies, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan
INTRODUCTION
In the era of this epidemic, human life is facing a lot of crises. On one hand, many people lost their close ones, on the other hand, social media kept people connected and by which everyone should fight against this epidemic. To have courage, but everything has two sides, some are good and some are bad, just as people were helping the needy through social media, on the other hand, some people are engaged in rigging the world of cyber through the internet. Since people were in their homes and they were following the rules of the government, the means of getting used to this lifestyle was internet browsing and social media suffering which can be dangerous due to data transfer or hacking to get one’s personal information. Is, fraud, or an unknown internet virus? It has been learned that this type of virus or racket is a way to gain access to the personal information of the user.
In the frightful time of the pandemic, people are at risk of internet usage, and hence become victims of cybercrime. The internet has also become a prerequisite for many commercial and government office employees working from home in lockdown. While cases of information contravened through insecure apps for administrator meetings are a major apprehension in the lockdown, the Zoom app has also been found as a medium for cybercrimes. It was observed that hackers were able to access meeting IDs and passwords and during online lectures or other official meetings, inappropriate content surfaced from anywhere. And it all comes down to hacking which is mentioned under section 66 of I.T Act 2000. Under which the person shall be punished with imprisonment of either explanation for a term which may take longer to three years, or with fine which may extend to two lakh rupees, or with both. In India, internet security is not taken seriously resulting in increased cybercrimes.
INTERNET SCAMS AND PHISHING
Within days of the start of the pandemic, millions of users' inboxes began unloading multiple deceitful emails promoting fake drugs, medical and disinfection supplies, financial packages, emergency services or other services to help people ease lockdowns. And because of this, we have got so much fear that sometimes we ignore even important mail.
DISINFORMATION
In times of crisis where so much data and news is being searched and managed, on the other hand, manipulating information has also been converted into a profitable business. Most of the fake news is spread through WhatsApp, Facebook or Twitter. Between February 2020 and May 2021, more than five thousand million people were affected by cybercrime. In this hackers hack the data and leak all confidential information in the market and even some people do this for popularity or fun.
A few months ago there was an incident, hackers hacked someone's account and told him or her to suffer a financial emergency and he or she needs money urgently and then he or she demands money. And most people think their friends are in dire need of money and even if they send money then they find out later that it was a scam. And during this incident, many hackers had earned a lot of money.
Like, fear has arisen in the minds of many people during the Covid period and a half had died thinking that corona is a very big disease and they are now a guest for a few moments in the earth. And people were at home at that time they couldn’t go out and at that time all the information could be taken only through the phone. And a lot of false rumours on the phone, false death news, a lot of fake news, was increasing at that time. Due to which more fear had arisen in the minds of people about Corona.
All the studies of the students, all the office work, virtual court proceedings, meetings all started online. Everything was working but there was also the risk of leaking holes and core information. Hackers used to get huge amounts of intelligence and sell it in the market at high prices.
HOW COMPANIES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES CAN INCREASE CYBER SECURITY
Because of this, Pandemic employees work from home and use their laptops or computers so how can they protect their devices from cyber scams so they should implement some essential cyber hygiene practices. They are:
Antivirus Protection: Antivirus and malware software must be licensed for employees to use on their personal computers. Admittedly, it does not provide complete protection, but it does protect against many low-level attacks.
Cyber Security Awareness: Employees should be provided with information on best practices and procedures for regulating the sending of an email or other content to private email addresses and/or cloud storage.
Phishing Awareness: Employees should be very careful while receiving emails, taking utmost care and checking the authenticity of the sender's address.
Home Network Security: Employees should also ensure that the Wi-Fi installed at their home should have a strong password.
Use a VPN: Virtual private networks add another layer of security to Internet access from home so that not everyone can see your confidential information or data. There are some basic strategies that every company should adopt and to protect their system against hackers.
Prepare For Attacks: In this high-risk time, companies should have their backup plan to fight against cyber attacks
Apply New Technology And Equipment: Companies should always use advanced tools for checking cyber security. And protect the cyber security by the cyber attacks
STRENGTHENING INDIA’S CYBER SECURITY
Strict Data Protection laws: looking at the present scenario, now it is very important to have strict data protection laws in India because everyone has the right to privacy which is our fundamental right under the Constitution of India. It is necessary to have some strict rules that protect our privacy.
Data Processing Agreement: In this, there should be a controller because by the controller we can easily share data and data will not leak easily.
Data Protection Evaluation: To make software for data protection against cyber crimes, it should be made like this that is easy to use but not easy to hack. It should be properly highly secure.
User-friendly Mechanism: It should be user friendly because if there will be fear in people’s minds towards him or her then they will stop using internet things.
CONCLUSION
We can secure our data if we take some precautions because rights violated by the user are not a proper provision in the law. Given the rising cases nowadays, there is a vital need for amendment of consumer protection Act or most important Information technology Act, 2000. Unless we take any strong action against it, we will not get salvation at this time. But we can only do what is in our hands, that is to follow government guidance and not share confidential details and use VPN and protect our data and avoid fake messages and news until and unless when you are sure that is real news. and if something like this is happening to you, then raise your voice against it. Because it’s important to be safe and healthy!
KEYWORDS: Cybercrime, fake news, COVID-19, VPN, Confidential Information, Data, Data Protection, Precautions
REFERENCE
https://m.economictimes.com/markets/expert-view/post-covid-corporates-see-huge-increase-in-cyber-crimes/articleshow/79530142.cms
https://www2.deloitte.com/ch/en/pages/risk/articles/impact-covid-cybersecurity.html
https://blog.ipleaders.in/rise-cybercrimes-covid-19-lockdown/?amp=1#Strengthening_Indias_Cyber_Defenses
https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2021/aug/01/cyber-crimes-rise-in-several-states-during-lockdown-2338361.html