Q.Describe any four cyber offences under the Information Technology Act and the penalties prescribed for them.

The IT Act pairs specific offences with specific sections and penalties; citing a few shows you know the statute.

The IT Act (as amended in 2008) sets out cyber offences with their penalties. Any four of the following are acceptable:

1. Section 65 — Tampering with computer source documents: knowingly altering, concealing, or destroying source code. Penalty: imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine up to Rs 2 lakh, or both.
2. Section 66 — Hacking / computer-related offences done dishonestly or fraudulently: penalty of imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine up to Rs 5 lakh, or both.
3. Section 66C — Identity theft: fraudulent use of another's password, digital signature, or unique identity feature. Penalty: imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to Rs 1 lakh.
4. Section 66D — Cheating by personation using a computer resource: imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to Rs 1 lakh.
5. Section 66F — Cyber terrorism: the gravest offence, punishable with imprisonment which may extend to imprisonment for life. …

Quoting Section 66A as a live offence is a serious error — it was struck down in 2015 and is no longer valid. Also, remember that Sections 43/43A give compensation …