ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on security aspects from two angles: first, making an electronic transaction secure through legal recognition of emerging technology that boosts the integrity and reliability of electronic messages. It explains the increased protection of electronic medium from external threats through criminal legislation. The chapter concentrates on electronic signatures used both for establishing the authenticity of the message and authentication of a message and considers, the Model Law on Electronic Signatures drafted by United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. It focuses on how policy makers have responded to the vulnerability of the medium from external threats in the form of computer misuse legislation. The Council of Europe in 1997 took on the task of drafting the first multilateral or international instrument to fight criminal activity on computer networks. The Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime adopts a comprehensive approach to computer crime. The Council of Europe was a prime mover in the area of computer crime in Europe.
