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Legal frameworks needed to stop Cybercrimes

Published : Wednesday, 16 April, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 564
Gazi Sirazul Islam
With the current digital age, cybercrime and online fraud are increasing, posing threats to financial systems, privacy of individuals, national security, and business integrity. Rapid growth of internet usage, electronic transactions, and interdependent systems has created new opportunities for technological progress, but it has also given opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting users, organizations, and even governments. This has led to enormous monetary losses, loss of data, and mental impact all over the world. In this constantly evolving cyber world, it is necessary to learn about the nature of cybercrime, types of internet fraud, and the legal measures taken to make the internet a secure place for all.

Cybercrime is generally understood as criminal behavior that makes use of a computer, a network, or an electronic device. It encompasses a wide variety of crimes such as hacking, identity theft, ransomware attacks, unauthorized access to data, and malicious program dissemination. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of cybercrime is its ability to be committed from any location in the world, in most instances anonymously, which makes detection and prosecution challenging and laborious. In contrast to traditional crime, cybercrime can spread fast, impacting thousands or even millions of people with one attack.

Cybercrime is predominantly represented by online fraud, which consists of misleading actions done over the internet to obtain monetary returns. It may range from phishing scams and copies of online stores to investment fraud, impersonation, and social engineering. Phishing continues to be one of the most common methods utilized in online fraud, where deceptive emails or messages get users to enter sensitive information such as passwords, bank account numbers, or ID numbers. Phony online shopping websites and job scams are also on the rise, especially in regions where digital literacy is still evolving.

The impacts of cybercrime and online fraud go beyond financial to psychological and reputational. Victims suffer emotional anguish, loss of confidence in online systems, and lengthy recovery procedures after identity theft or data exposure. For businesses, cyber attacks can result in significant business disruptions, data loss, legal penalties, and brand reputation loss. Besides, governments and public institutions are also being targeted through cyber espionage or attacks on critical infrastructure, which can endanger national security and public safety.

To address these threats, legal frameworks have been put in place both nationally and internationally. Countries around the world have realized the importance of cyber security legislation in addressing the growing incidence of cybercrime. In Bangladesh, the Digital Security Act 2018 is the main legal tool to combat cyber crimes. It has provisions for penalizing hacking, illegal access to computer systems, cyber defamation, digital harassment, and publishing offensive content on the internet. The previous Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act 2006 served the same purpose, but the new legislation promises to provide more digital protections.

Apart from filing complaints, legal paperwork and contractual safeguarding are needed for businesses to protect themselves. For example, companies must integrate cyber security terminology into vendor contracts, user agreements, and confidentiality policies. This enables them to hold individuals responsible if they misuse information or breach a system. Furthermore, companies can initiate civil or criminal legal actions if they experience a data breach or cyber attack, especially if third-party negligence is provable. The court may impose damages, injunctions, or other legitimate remedies to deter further harm.

Regulation under data protection legislation is another major aspect of legal protection. Different countries have introduced or are about to introduce data protection acts to regulate how companies collect, store, and use personal data. During a leak, non-compliance with these legislations can result in significant fines and even litigation. Proper data management practices, encryption of sensitive information, and secure storage procedures avoid legal repercussions.

Legal protection must extend to protecting intellectual property in the digital era. Copyright law, trademarks, and patents are legal tools utilized to protect original digital content, software, logos, and other intangible property against unauthorized use or copying. Registration of such intellectual property not only creates ownership but also facilitates the right to sue for infringement.

As much as legal measures provide redress and responsibility, technical and prophylactic measures must be alongside them. Individuals and agencies should exhibit minimum cyber security hygiene such as using strong and distinct passwords, two-factor authentication, installing reliable antivirus software, and ensuring the system is always updated regularly. Avoiding making sensitive transactions via public Wi-Fi and being cautious about unwanted messages or links are equally important. Organizations are also required to conduct regular security audits, educate staff on cyber threats, and have incident response plans in place.

Governments and regulatory bodies must continue to invest in building cyber infrastructure, law enforcement training, and operating public awareness campaigns. Cybercrime is very dynamic and evolves very rapidly, and hence there is always a requirement to upgrade existing laws periodically. More and more, there is also a requirement for nations to cooperate across borders to share threat information, apply cross-border laws, and prosecute cyber criminals.

The future of cyber security law is going to depend on new emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, block chain, and quantum computing. As AI becomes more ubiquitous in decision-making and automation, new legal issues will develop, particularly surrounding accountability for the actions of AI. Likewise, regulation of crypto currency and decentralized finance platforms is also becoming increasingly vital with the expansion of financial fraud in these arenas. Cyber insurance is also bound to grow, offering organizations yet another layer of defense and monetary support in the event of a breach.

In conclusion, the increase in cybercrime and online fraud is a reality in the current globalized world. It can be addressed by a combination of legal consciousness, technological preparedness, ethical online behavior, and effective law enforcement. National laws, international agreements, data protection acts, and organizational policies all play significant roles in providing digital security. By being well-informed, compliant, and vigilant, it is possible to minimize risks and build a safer and more trustworthy digital environment.

The writer is an Advocate


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