How to deal with online harassment?

I posted an article about Cyberbullying. Now I think it's necessary and constructive to inform online users what they should do if they found they're involved in any cyberbullying event:


According to ASP Mahfuz Abd Majid of the police's Technology Crime Investigation Unit, this could be due to the problem being settled privately by the parties involved or the victims may feel that there is no significant loss (usually in monetary terms) to warrant the hassle of lodging a report.
Less than 10 per cent of breaches in Internet security made to MyCert are lodged with the police.
If you've been flamed, spammed or harassed in an online community, the experience can be terrifying or plain annoying. Here's what you can do:
1. Do not reply to spam (junk e-mail). It will confirm your e-mail address and lead more spam into your inbox.
2. Ignore the hate mails (being 'flamed') and spam as much as you can. Sometimes, all the perpetrators want is for you to respond.
3. However, once these messages start to distress you, show it to a parent. "If you think your life could be in danger, lodge a report at the nearest police station. They will then conduct an investigation," said Mahfuz.

Source: http://www.cybersecurity.my/en/knowledge_bank/news/2004/main/detail/904/index.html

Cyber Bullying: Questions and Answers

"Cyberbullying is any harassment that occurs via the Internet. Vicious forum posts, name calling in chat rooms, posting fake profiles on web sites, and mean or cruel email messages are all ways of cyberbullying".

Below questions and answers would help you to have a better understanding about cyber bullying.

Q: What does cyber bullying involve? What methods are used?
A: There are several ways that young people bully others online. They send e-mail containing insults or threats directly to a person. They may also spread hateful comments about a person through e -mail, instant messaging or postings on websites and online diaries. Young people steal passwords and send out threatening e-mail or instant messages using an assumed identity. Technically-savvy children may build whole websites, often with password protection, to target specific students or teachers.
These methods are simple as all one needs to know is how to log into the Internet, send/receive e-mail, chat and download files.
Q: Is there any way to trace the bully?
A: Yes, any kind of bullying or illegal activity done via the Net is traceable. This is done by analysing system logs, full headers and other information or evidence that can be extracted from a machine used to carry out the bullying activities.
Q: Is cyber bullying legal? Are there any laws to tackle such cases?
A: Cyber bullying is illegal. Bullies can be convicted under the Computer Crimes Act, the Penal Code or the Juvenile Act, depending on the nature or severity of the case.
Q: Whose responsibility is it to ensure this problem does not persist?
A: It is the responsibility of parents, schools and youngsters to take proactive action to prevent or minimise such activities in the society.
Parents should be more aware of and monitor their children's activities on the Internet. They should even consider installing software in their home PCs to monitor their child's online activities. Parents should also limit the time spent by their children on the computer. Schools can integrate curriculum-based Net-bullying programmes into classrooms and educate teachers, students and parents about the seriousness of cyber bullying. Schools may consider updating the school or board's computer Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to specifically prohibit using the Internet for bullying.

Sources:

1-http://teenadvice.about.com/od/schoolviolence/a/cyberbullying1.htm

2http://www.cybersecurity.my/en/knowledge_bank/news/2004/main/detail/904/index.html

Comment: As everybody is able to act anonymously in the Internet, effective and applicable law should be enacted and imposed by legal entities to enusre this type of crime will be minimized.

Indian National Sentenced to 81 Months in US Prison for Role in International Online Brokerage Hacking Crime

An Indian national was sentenced today to 81 months in prison on conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges arising from an international fraud scheme to “hack” into online brokerage accounts in the United States and use those accounts to manipulate stock prices, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg of the District of Nebraska.

Jaisankar Marimuthu, 36, a native of Chennai, India, was also ordered to pay $2.4 million in restitution. Marimuthu pleaded guilty on Feb. 5, 2010, to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud, computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, and to one count of aggravated identity theft before U.S. District Magistrate Judge F.A. Gossett III in Omaha, Neb. Marimuthu, who was extradited to the United States following his arrest in Hong Kong, was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith Camp.

Source: http://cyberlaws.us/indian-national-sentenced-to-81-months-in-prison-for-role-in-international-online-brokerage-“hack-pump-and-dump”-scheme/