Publisher's Synopsis
The Computer Misuse Act came into force on the 29th of August 1990. The new act provides a means of prosecuting hackers, virus creators and others who deliberately seek to access or modify computer-held data or software without authority.;The Act places no burden on bona fide computer users but introduces powers to prosecute those who deliberately and without authorization misuse computer systems belonging to their employers or to third parties. Computer users will only benefit from the legislation if they understand the powers that it gives them and if they are able to take advantage of these powers.;The types of questions now being posed by the new Act include: Will the act remove the threat of hacking? Does it help prevent copying of software or data? What is the relationship with the Data Protection Act?;"A Practical Guide to the Computer Misuse Act 1990" attempts to answer these and many other questions. It provides an interpretation of its major elements, describes the main offences covered by it, gives guidance on how to prove the crime, and offers practical advice on measures which may be taken to prevent computer misuse in the first place. The guide includes a foreword by Michael Colvin, the member of parliament responsible for introducing the Private Members Bill to the House of Commons.
