Experts attend a training on cyber laws and cyber forensics in Cuttack on Sunday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Sept. 7: Concerns were expressed over rising rate of crime on the Internet due to advancement in information technology at a one-day training programme on cyber laws and cyber forensics held today.

According to available data, there has been a 60 per cent increase in the number of cyber cases between 2009 and 2012 in India. At present, India ranks fifth in online economic offences in the world.

A total of 420 cases pertaining to tampering computer source documents, hacking, obscene publication and others in 2009 were reported, while the number rose to 2,876 in 2012. Experts attribute the rise in cyber crime mainly to information technology, including various software and tools that have made hatching a conspiracy easier. It also ensures that the offender is invisible in most cases.

The training programme was organised by National Law University Odisha (NLUO) in association with Advanced Centre for Research, Development and Training in cyber laws and forensics wing of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore.

Addressing the symposium, Chief Justice of Orissa High Court Amitava Roy said: “Eight persons are becoming victims of a cyber crime every minute in India while 52 per cent of the population has suffered malware or have been a victim of hacking and other forms.”

Justice Dipak Misra of the Supreme Court of India said that proper training in cyber laws and forensics was essential for a detail investigation, while the collaboration between NLSIU and NLUO would be helpful in dealing with various cyber crimes.

“The number of conviction in cyber crime is less than eight per cent while the training programme is aimed at assisting the police and cyber police officials in conducting investigation of such hi-tech crimes and collection of evidences which can be produced before the court of law,” said Nagarthna, chief investigator of advanced centre for research, development and training in cyber laws and forensics.

Nagarthna said that investigation of cloning of debit and credit cards, email bombing, salami attack, time theft, cyber pornography, lottery and job scams poses a challenge for the investigating agencies and understanding the concept and Information Technology Act is essential.

Sitting judges of Orissa High Court, officials of cyber police station and advocates attended the training programme that was organised to discuss issues relating to cyber crime offences, investigation and prosecution of offenders. Deputy superintendent of cyber police station, Bangalore, M.D. Sarath said: “Seventy per cent of cases reported in the country are regarding creation of fake Facebook accounts, uploading of obscene messages and morphed pictures on various websites.”