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CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON DATA DIDDLING
ABSTRACT
Data diddling is an unauthorized altering of data before or during entry into computer system and changing it same after the processing is done. As the original information that is entered is changed either by the person typing the data, a virus that programmed to change the data, the programmer of the data base or the application, or anyone else is involved in the process of creating, recording, encoding, examining, checking, converting and transmitting data. It is said to be one of the simplest methods of computer related crime.
DATA DIDDLING
Data diddling can occur at various points along the chain of information entry, and it is often very subtle and virtually undetectable. It can be something as small as a time clerk substituting his own name or employee number for another employee's name or number. It can be combated by ensuring that all information is identical, whether it is a hard copy or the data within a digital system.
As it is said to be one of the easiest crimes to commit so it will be said as effortless task, it can have detrimental effects. For E.g., Electricity boards in India have victims of data diddling by computer criminals when private parties were computerizing their systems.
As Data diddling is also refers to changing of data before or during entry into the computer system. This kind of an attack involves altering the raw data just before a computer processes it and then changing it back after the processing is completed. The NDMC Electricity Billing Fraud Case that took place in 1996 is a typical example. The computer network was used for receipt and accounting of electricity bills by the NDMC, Delhi. Collection of money, computerized accounting, record maintenance and payment in the bank were exclusively left to a private contractor who was a computer professional. He misappropriated huge amount of funds by manipulating data files to show less receipts and bank remittances.
LAWS FOR DATA DIDDLING
- Section 66 [i]and 43(d)[ii] of the I.T. Act covers the offence of Data Diddling.
- Penalty: Not increasing 1 Crore
CASE REALTED TO CYBER CRIME
NDMC Electricity Billing Fraud Case: A private contractor who was to deal with receipt and accounting of electricity bills by the NDMC, Delhi. Collection of money, computerised, accounting record maintenance and remittance in his bank who misappropriated huge amounts of funds by manipulating data files to less receipt and bank remittance.
PREVENTIVE APPROCHES OF CYBER CRIMES
Prevention [iii]is better than cure. Its s always better to take certain precautions while using the internet. So always follow these preventive approaches-
- Be aware that your mobile device is vulnerable to viruses and hackers. Download applications from trusted sources.
- Use encryption for your most sensitive files such as tax returns or financial records, make regular back-ups of all your important data, and store it in another location
- Use of firewalls may be beneficial.
- Always use secure wireless network. Wi-Fi (wireless) networks at home are vulnerable to intrusion if they are not properly secured. Review and modify default settings. Public Wi-Fi, a.k.a. “Hot Spots”, is also vulnerable. Avoid conducting financial or corporate transactions on these networks.
- Always avoid sending any photograph online particularly to strangers and chat friends as there have been incidents of misuse of the photographs.
- Always keep a watch on the sites that your children are accessing to prevent any kind of harassment or depravation in children.
SUGGESTIONS
- Enable students to secretly report acts of harassment to teachers and school administrators and require students to be notified annually of the process by which they may report.
- Require teachers and other school staff who witness acts of harassment or receive student reports of bullying to notify school administrators in writing.
- Enable the parents or guardians of students to file written reports of suspected harassment.
- Require school administrators to investigate any written reports made under this section and to review.
