Computer Misuse Act (p3, m2)

Is the act that was created to prevent computers from being used for hacking or causing havoc with malicious intent. The act was created to protect peoples private affairs and prevent total chaos for organisations who had been targeted by hackers the act is then reinforced by the data protection act which give individuals and companies the promise of no private information leaks.

A case of this act being broken is the organisation of the New of the World who were hacking into celebrities and prominent members of societies phone lines and computers in order to steal private information for news stories. However after the scandal was found out the a large amount of members in the organisation gained a prison sentence for breaking the computer misuse act and the Freedom of information act as well as the data protection act.

The act also protect companies digital products by making it illegal for distribution of digital pirated material. However only countries that have similar acts to this can prevent internet piracy as our country can only prevent the distribution here in the UK and can only block foreign websites.

There are three principles to the computer misuse act.

Unauthorised access to computer material: This principle means that accessing a persons personal information from their computer without authorisation and then looking at their information, stealing it, or deleting it, can result in 6 months imprisonment and  a large fine.

Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate a crime: This is similar to the first principle. However, the person who does not have access to the information is looking to commit a crime, this being stealing bank account information to gain money or stealing anything else they don't have access to and using it for their personal gain. The result of doing so can lead to five years imprisonment and once again a large fine.

Unauthorised Modification of computer material: This is also similar to the first principle. However, this principle is if the unauthorised person wishes to modify files or delete them from another user or even creating a computer virus for malicious intent to steal or destroy information and same as the last principle you can receive 5 years imprisonment.