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the use of computer

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7 views

the use of computer

Uploaded by

damijeffery123
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Computer Misuse Act attempts to discourage people from using computers

for illegal purposes. There are three separate parts to the Act:

1. It is illegal to access data stored on a computer unless you have permission to do so.
Unauthorised access is often referred to as hacking.
2. It is illegal to access data on a computer when that material will be used to commit
further illegal activity, such as fraud or blackmail.
3. It is illegal to make changes to any data stored on a computer when you do not have
permission to do so. If you access and change the contents of someone’s files without
their permission, you are breaking the law. This includes installing a virus or
other malware which damages or changes the way the computer works.

The maximum punishment for breaking this law is a £5000 fine or several years’
imprisonment.
However, one key part of the law is that intent must be proved. If a computer is
not well protected, someone could accidentally access its data without meaning to.
Someone might also accidentally change a document without realising it. For anyone to
be found guilty, it has to be shown that they intentionally accessed and changed data.
Key fact
In order to make a successful prosecution under the Computer Misuse Act, the
prosecutor must be able to prove intent.

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