Online attacks on the rise

Kathmandu, September 2

The cases of cyber crime are increasing rapidly each year along with the rise in the number of internet and social media users. Nepal Police statistics show that the number of cyber crimes reported surged by 105 per cent in last fiscal, 2014-15.

A total of 39 cyber crime-related cases were filed last year compared to 19 cases in fiscal 2013-14.

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“The trend is increasing and 35 cases were filed after mid-July, the beginning of the current fiscal year,” said DSP AM Chandra Bahadur Dhami of Nepal Police. E-mail theft, phishing, data hacks, online fraud and imposter or impersonating profile are major forms of cyber crimes witnessed in the country.

In fiscal year 2012-13, Nepal Police received reports of nine cases of cyber attacks. As per DSP Dhami, there is need of a comprehensive cyber law, establishment of Nepali Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) and capacity building of all stakeholders to combat cyber crime.

Till date, Nepal Police has been handling the cases related to cyber crime under the Electronic Transaction Act 2006.