Security news
Security news11 October 2004
USA passes bill to jail internet spies, Sophos reports on anti-spyware steps
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| Criminals who infect computers with spyware can be jailed for up to five years under the bill. |
The US House of Representatives has unanimously passed an anti-spyware bill, to protect computer users from criminals who aim to spy and steal information via the internet.
Under the Internet Spyware Prevention Act, it is a crime to intentionally access a computer without permission or to intentionally exceed authorised access. If the unauthorised intrusion is to further another federal crime - such as secretly accessing personal data - the criminals responsible can receive a sentence of up to five years in prison.
Meanwhile, unauthorised installation of spyware designed to deliberately injure or defraud an individual (for instance through identity theft or breaking into their online bank account) will carry a prison term of up to two years.
"There's nothing glamorous about cybercrime - and those who use the internet to break into computers, and steal from and damage others must be punished appropriately," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "All computer users should be on their guard against spyware, and ensure their defences are in place and up-to-date."
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