Prosecution of Hackers?

[Chakra-X]

In my Youth and Government meeting, there was a bill idea to find a way to fine/prosecute those who create or purposely distribute viruses,trojans,certain spyware,worms and other malware.

My argument mainly surrounds damage if private property, privacy invasion, and fraud (links that actually lead to a virus instead of the displayed name).

Yet, I know there are much more internet-savvy people on this board. Is this bill plausible? Is it possible to make it so *****ding Lime Wire files as viruses is illegal or that "hacking" into someone's computer counts as trespassing?

 

[tolore]

i would say probably no to the lime wire viruses, you'd have to be able to prove that the person made/put the virus in on purpose. As for hacking someones computer i think it should definitely be a punishable crime(if it isn't already).

I'm willing to bet even if stuff like that isn't passable now, as we get more and more internet dependent it'll become more regulated like that. although another part of the problem is that someone from another country can make a virus and there nothing we can do about it.

 

[Avenger]

...I think there are laws already for making viruses, and deploying them, not to mention punishment for accessing private information without getting permission.

Otherwise I think I just might have some fun at school today...

 

[DiebytheSword]

This is actually already a federal law. When they passed the homeland security act, they included something pretty gnarly in the text pertaining to acts of terrorism. If you are caught hacking by the dept of homeland security, they will prosicute you as a terrorist. I'll see if I can find the article from way back when.

 

[Chakra-X]

This is actually already a federal law. When they passed the homeland security act, they included something pretty gnarly in the text pertaining to acts of terrorism. If you are caught hacking by the dept of homeland security, they will prosicute you as a terrorist. I'll see if I can find the article from way back when.

Awesome. I never knew that. If there is already a law regarding this issue, I suppose my bill can enforce, modify, or add on to the policy.

 

[Jesus]

yeah, basically if they catch you, it's classed as terrorism, and i believe the reasoning behind it is that you are attacking a portion of the public for no other reason than expressing a political opinion (saying "lol i just ****ed up x amount of peoples computers, it was fun, i did it because i can", is borderline political, don't ask me how lol...)

so yeah, don't do it, or you'll get raped hard.