M3 - Cyber Secutiry
M3 - Cyber Secutiry
TYPES OF CYBERCRIME
• Cybercrime encompasses a wide range of illegal activities that involve computers and networks. Here are some common types:
1. Hacking: Unauthorized access to computer systems or networks to steal, modify, or destroy data.
2. Malware: Malicious software, including viruses, worms, and ransomware, designed to damage or disrupt systems.
3. Phishing: Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information by impersonating trustworthy entities, often through emails or fake websites.
4. Identity Theft: Stealing personal information to impersonate someone, often for financial gain.
5. Cyberstalking: Harassment or stalking using electronic communications, such as social media, emails, or texts.
6. DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service attacks overwhelm a network or website with traffic, rendering it unavailable.
7. Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to confidential data, often resulting in the exposure of sensitive information.
8. Online Fraud: Scams conducted over the internet, such as auction fraud, credit card fraud, and advance-fee scams.
9. Intellectual Property Theft: Unauthorized use or distribution of copyrighted material, trade secrets, or patents.
10. Child Exploitation: The creation, distribution, or possession of child pornography, as well as online grooming.
• Cyber homicide refers to the use of digital means to facilitate or commit murder. This can involve various
methods, such as:
1. Cyberbullying Leading to Suicide: Intense online harassment that drives a victim to take their own
life can be considered a form of cyber homicide, especially if the harassment is severe and persistent.
2. Remote Control of Devices: Instances where someone uses technology to remotely control a device
(like a smart home system or a vehicle) to cause physical harm or death to another person.
3. Incitement or Facilitation: Using online platforms to incite violence, plan a murder, or coordinate a
hit through digital communications.
4. Stalking and Tracking: Utilizing technology to stalk a person and then committing murder as a result
of that stalking.
CURRENT CYBER ATTACK METHODS
• Current cyber attack methods are continually evolving as technology advances. Here are some of the most common techniques used by cybercriminals today:
1. Phishing: Deceptive emails or messages that trick users into providing sensitive information or downloading malware.Variants include spear phishing (targeting specific individuals) and whaling
(targeting high-profile targets).
2. Ransomware: Malicious software that encrypts a victim's files, demanding payment for the decryption key. Recent trends include double extortion, where attackers also threaten to release stolen
data.
3. DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service attacks flood a target's network or website with traffic, overwhelming it and causing service disruptions.
4. Malware:Various types of malicious software, including viruses, trojans, and spyware, designed to steal information or damage systems.
5. Zero-Day Exploits: Attacks that take advantage of vulnerabilities in software or hardware that are unknown to the vendor, allowing attackers to gain access before a patch is released.
6. SQL Injection: A technique that involves inserting malicious SQL code into a web application's database query, allowing attackers to manipulate or extract sensitive data.
7. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: Intercepting communications between two parties to eavesdrop or alter the information exchanged.
8. Credential Stuffing: Using stolen usernames and passwords from one data breach to gain unauthorized access to accounts on different platforms, taking advantage of users who reuse passwords.
9. Social Engineering: Manipulating individuals into revealing confidential information through psychological tricks, often involving impersonation or deception.
10. IoT Attacks: Targeting Internet of Things devices, which often have weaker security, to gain access to networks or launch other attacks.
CRIMINAL THREATS TO IT INFRASTRUCTURE
• Criminal threats to IT infrastructure are diverse and can have serious implications for organizations. Here are some of the most significant threats:
1. Malware Attacks: Malicious software, including viruses, worms, and ransomware, can disrupt operations, steal data, or damage systems.
2. DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service attacks overwhelm systems or networks with excessive traffic, causing service outages and disrupting business operations.
3. Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive data can lead to the theft of customer information, intellectual property, or trade secrets.
4. Insider Threats: Employees or contractors with malicious intent can exploit their access to compromise systems or steal sensitive information.
5. Phishing and Social Engineering: Attackers can manipulate employees into divulging sensitive information or credentials, leading to unauthorized access to systems.
6. Zero-Day Exploits: Attacks that leverage undisclosed vulnerabilities in software or hardware can compromise systems before a fix is available.
7. Supply Chain Attacks: Targeting vulnerabilities in third-party vendors or software can provide attackers with a way to infiltrate an organization’s systems.
8. Credential Theft: Cybercriminals can use various methods, such as keyloggers or phishing, to obtain usernames and passwords for unauthorized access.
9. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: Intercepting communications between users and systems to steal data or inject malicious content.
10. IoT Vulnerabilities: Internet of Things devices often lack robust security measures, making them targets for exploitation and entry points into broader networks.
WEB SECURITY REFERS TO THE MEASURES AND PRACTICES DESIGNED TO
PROTECT WEBSITES AND WEB APPLICATIONS FROM CYBER THREATS AND
ATTACKS. HERE ARE KEY COMPONENTS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR ENSURING
ROBUST WEB SECURITY:
• Key Components of Web Security
1. Encryption:
1. Use HTTPS (SSL/TLS) to secure data in transit between users and servers, ensuring confidentiality and integrity.
3. Input Validation:
1. Validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
1. Identification:
1. Determine what data or devices need to be investigated (e.g., computers, smartphones, servers).
2. Preservation:
1. Secure and preserve evidence to prevent tampering or loss. This may involve creating forensic images (bit-for-bit copies) of storage devices.
3. Collection:
1. Gather digital evidence from various sources, including hard drives, network logs, cloud storage, and mobile devices. Ensure proper chain of custody to maintain the integrity of the evidence.
4. Analysis:
1. Examine the collected data using forensic tools and techniques to identify relevant information. This may include recovering deleted files, analyzing logs, and examining malware.
5. Documentation:
1. Keep detailed records of all processes, findings, and methodologies used during the investigation. This documentation is critical for legal proceedings.
6. Presentation:
1. Prepare reports and visual representations of findings that can be presented in court or to stakeholders. Clear communication is essential to convey complex technical information.
KEY CONCEPTS IN CYBER FORENSICS
• Chain of Custody: A documented process that outlines who collected the evidence, how it was handled, and where it was
stored. This is vital for maintaining the integrity and credibility of the evidence.
• Forensic Imaging: Creating exact copies of digital storage devices to analyze data without altering the original evidence. Tools
like FTK Imager and EnCase are commonly used for this purpose.
• Data Recovery: Techniques used to recover deleted or corrupted data from storage devices, which may involve using
specialized software.
• Log Analysis: Reviewing system and network logs to trace user activity, identify unauthorized access, and uncover anomalies
that may indicate a breach.
• Malware Analysis: Examining malicious software to understand its behavior, origin, and impact, which can help in identifying
the attackers and mitigating threats.
• Legal Considerations: Understanding the laws and regulations governing digital evidence and cyber investigations, including
issues related to privacy and data protection.
TOOLS USED IN CYBER FORENSICS
FORENSIC SOFTWARE: TOOLS LIKE AUTOPSY, FTK IMAGER, AND ENCASE ARE DESIGNED FOR
ANALYZING DIGITAL EVIDENCE.
MALWARE ANALYSIS TOOLS: TOOLS LIKE IDA PRO AND VIRUSTOTAL CAN HELP ANALYZE AND
UNDERSTAND MALWARE.
TESTING
• National Laws
• Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) (U.S.): Prohibits unauthorized access to computers and networks and is often used to prosecute hacking and
related crimes.
• Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) (U.S.): Addresses copyright issues in the digital environment, including the unauthorized distribution of
copyrighted material online.
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU): A comprehensive data protection law that governs how personal data is collected, processed, and stored.
• International Treaties
• Budapest Convention on Cybercrime: An international treaty aimed at improving international cooperation and providing a framework for prosecuting cyber
crimes.
• Regulatory Bodies
• Various national and international agencies, such as the FBI (U.S.), Europol (EU), and INTERPOL, play roles in investigating and prosecuting cyber crime.
CHALLENGES IN CYBER CRIME LAW
1. Legal Frameworks: Countries are continually updating and creating laws to address new types
of cyber crime.
2. Awareness and Education: Public awareness campaigns and training for organizations help
educate individuals about cyber threats and legal implications.
3. Collaboration: International cooperation among law enforcement agencies, governments, and
private sector organizations is vital for addressing cyber crime effectively.
4. Incident Response Plans: Organizations should develop and maintain incident response plans
that include legal considerations for addressing breaches and cyber incidents.
CYBER JURISDICTION REFERS TO THE LEGAL AUTHORITY OF COURTS AND LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO ENFORCE LAWS AND ADJUDICATE CASES INVOLVING
CYBERCRIME OR ONLINE ACTIVITIES. BECAUSE THE INTERNET TRANSCENDS
GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES, DETERMINING JURISDICTION IN CYBER-RELATED MATTERS
CAN BE COMPLEX. HERE ARE SOME KEY ASPECTS OF CYBER JURISDICTION:
• Key Concepts
1. Territorial Jurisdiction: This is the most traditional form of jurisdiction, where courts have authority over
incidents occurring within their geographic boundaries. In cyberspace, this can become complicated, as digital
activities may originate from multiple locations.
2. Personal Jurisdiction: This pertains to a court’s authority over the parties involved in a case. In cyber jurisdiction,
this can include where the defendant is located, where they conduct business, or where the impact of their actions
is felt.
3. Subject Matter Jurisdiction: This relates to the type of cases a court can hear. Courts may have specific
jurisdiction over cybercrime cases, depending on the laws applicable in their jurisdiction.
4. Long-Arm Statutes: Many jurisdictions have laws allowing them to exercise jurisdiction over out-of-state or
foreign defendants if they have sufficient contacts with the state (e.g., conducting business, committing a tort).
CHALLENGES IN CYBER JURISDICTION
1. Budapest Convention: An international treaty that aims to facilitate cooperation in combating cybercrime. It provides a framework for
countries to work together on jurisdictional issues.
2. Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs): Agreements between countries that outline how they will assist each other in legal matters,
including cybercrime investigations.
3. European Union Regulations: The EU has established legal frameworks, like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which set
specific rules about data processing and jurisdiction within EU member states.
• Practical Implications
• Litigation: In cyber-related lawsuits, determining the appropriate jurisdiction can affect the outcome, as different jurisdictions may interpret
laws differently.
• Law Enforcement: Investigating cyber crimes often requires cooperation between jurisdictions, necessitating clear protocols for information
sharing and extradition.
• Compliance: Organizations operating globally must navigate multiple legal environments and ensure compliance with varying data protection
and cybercrime laws.
THE INDIAN IT ACT, OFFICIALLY KNOWN AS THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
ACT, 2000, IS A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT AIMS TO PROVIDE A
LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ELECTRONIC GOVERNANCE, CYBERCRIME
PREVENTION, AND THE PROTECTION OF DIGITAL DATA IN INDIA. HERE’S AN
OVERVIEW OF ITS KEY COMPONENTS:
• Objectives of the IT Act
1. Legal Recognition of Electronic Transactions: The Act provides the legal basis for electronic
records and digital signatures, ensuring that electronic communications are as legally binding as traditional
paper documents.
2. Regulation of Cybercrime: The IT Act addresses various cybercrimes, establishing penalties and
offenses related to unauthorized access, data theft, and other forms of cyber misconduct.
3. Promotion of E-Governance: It facilitates the use of technology in government operations, aiming to
enhance transparency and efficiency in public services.
4. Data Protection and Privacy: The Act lays down provisions for the protection of sensitive personal
data and the privacy of individuals.
KEY PROVISIONS
1. Digital Signatures: The Act recognizes digital signatures as valid and provides guidelines for their use in electronic transactions.
3. Intermediary Liability: The Act provides safe harbor provisions for intermediaries (like social media platforms) to protect them from liability
for content posted by users, provided they follow due diligence and act upon receiving knowledge of illegal content.
4. Regulations on Electronic Contracts: It outlines the validity of electronic contracts and the conditions under which they are enforceable.
5. Adjudication and Appellate Tribunal: The IT Act establishes a framework for adjudicating disputes and appeals related to cyber offenses
and other IT-related issues.
• Amendments and Updates
• The IT Act has undergone several amendments to address emerging challenges in the digital
landscape:
• IT (Amendment) Act, 2008: This amendment expanded the definition of cyber offenses,
introduced new sections related to data protection, and established provisions for the
appointment of a Controller of Certifying Authorities.
• Proposed Data Protection Bill: Although not part of the IT Act, discussions around a
comprehensive data protection framework in India are ongoing, with the intent to enhance
privacy and data security.
CHALLENGES AND CRITICISMS