Dictionary of Computers - Computer Misuse Act

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

UK law passed in 1990 that makes it illegal to hack into computers (see hacking). The Act introduced three new offences: unauthorized access to computer material (for example out of curiosity), unauthorized access with intent to facilitate the commission of a crime (for example fraud or blackmail), and unauthorized modification of computer material (for example to introduce a virus). The first prosecution under the Act was that of British hacker Paul Bedworth, who in 1993 was acquitted on the grounds that he was addicted to computing.

The law was inspired by the Law Lords' acquittal on appeal of Robert Schifreen and Steve Gold, two journalists who had hacked into Prince Philip's mailbox in 1984 on the British Telecom service Prestel. The Lords ruled that the Forgery Act did not cover deceiving a computer.

Nordic flags bearing the Scandinavian cross are based on the Danish flag, known as the Dannebrog, ‘Danish cloth’. Effective date: 1 May 1893. >>