Changes to UK Computer Crime Laws

[Geoff]

Some changes to the UK Computer Crime laws comes into effect on the 1st of October. The Register has the details:

UK cybercrime overhaul finally comes into effect ? The Register

But basically:

• The maximum penalty for "unauthorised access to a computer system" has been raised from six months to two years in prison.
• Denial of service attacks are now clearly criminal, with a maximum penalty of up to ten years behind bars.
• The amended act makes it an offence to distribute hacking tools for criminal purposes.

Spyblog has a more indepth analysis:

Computer Misuse Act amendments come into force on 1st October 2008 - Spy Blog - SpyBlog.org.uk

A colour coded diff can be viewed here:

Computer Misuse Act 1990 (c. 18) - consolidated version

Review and update your School Computer Usage Policies as appropriate.