9. Legislation

To deal with crimes such as hacking, computer fraud and viruses, legislation was passed 1990 called 'The Computer Misuse Act'.

Under this law, the following offences could be dealt with:

1. Hacking - unauthorised access to any program or data held in a computer. Penalty is a maximum fine of £2000 and a six month prison sentence.

2. Computer fraud and blackmail. Penalty is an unlimited fine and a maximum five year prison sentence.

3. Viruses - unauthorised modification of the contents of a computer, impairing the operation of any program or reliability of data. Penalty is an unlimited fine and a maximum five year prison sentence.