Hacking : Terms of the Act

The Computer Misuse Act (1990) created three specific offences :

• Unauthorised access to computer material : Any attempt to gain unauthorised access to a computer system is illegal. The attempt does not have to be successful. Simply trying to access a computer system that you do not have permission to access is illegal. Under this section of the Act simply trying to "guess" another user's password or trying to load a file that you do not have permission to load would be an offence. Anyone commiting such an offence can be punished by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £2000.
• Unauthorised access with an intent to commit further offences : If unauthorised access to a computer system is achieved and this access is used to carry out a further offence e.g. changing the contents of a file to increase your bank balance then the penalties are much stronger. A prison term of up to five years can be imposed as can a large fine.
• Unauthorised modification of computer material : This offence covers deliberate erasure or corruption of computer data. It also covers the deliberate introduction of a virus onto a computer system. A prison term of up to five years can be imposed for commiting this offence.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004