Legislation that enabled hackers to be prosecuted under the law. The Computer Misuse Act (1990) created the following new offences.

Unauthorised access to computer materials:

What this means is someone is using a computer system without the users permission, this means that the user isn't aware that someone is accessing their files.

Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences:

Similar to the first offence however this means that someone is on a computer without permission and is intending to do something illegal.

Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of a computer, etc:

This is the third step of the computer misuse act, after using a computer with unauthorised access, the misuser will then try to tamper with files on the computer. Similar to a virus however this is done by a person in the act.

Unauthorised modification of computer material:

This is the third step to the act, it means the unauthorised user modifies their computer system. This is done by deleting files intentionally or implementing a virus.

1.“Unauthorised access to computer material”

2.“Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate a crime”

3. “Unauthorised modification of computer material.”

3A/4. “Making, supplying or obtaining anything which can be used in computer misuse offences”

It is dfficult to prove that here was an intent when the offence took place.

• The Computer Misuse Act of 1990 is a type of legislation. It’s goal so far is to prevent virus, hackers and other IT threats from disturbing peace. Despite largely preventing it, there are still many cases of computer misuse.
  
• This can be considered difficult to prosecute against due to the lack of evidence and the possibility that individual removed it.
  

Unauthorized access to computer material

Unauthorized access with intent to commit or facilitate the commission of further offences

Unauthorized acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of a computer.

Making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in computer misuse offences.

Unauthorised access to computer material- Covers entering an individual’s password. This hacking into computers. Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate the commission of further offences- An addition to entering an account and use it to transmit illegal material. Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of a computer- Making changes to the contents of a computer or denying access to the computer through denial of service attacks. Making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in computer misuse offences (known as Section 3A)- Involves malicious scripts or software that will modify original code (e.g. in set top boxes).

Problems