ICT Laws

COMPUTER MISUSE ACT

PURPOSE
The Computer Misuse Act was passed in 1990 to deal with misuses of the computer.
The act made it an offence to:

1. deliberately plant viruses to damage programs and data 
2. use an organization's computers to carry out unauthorized work 
3. hack into someone else's computer system with a view to seeing the information or altering it
4. use computers to commit various frauds.

1 - Computer Viruses 

A virus is a program that replicates itself automatically and usually carries some payload that may cause damage. 

Protection against viruses:

• Install virus checking software
• Preform regular virus checks
• Do not open file attachments from unrecognized users
• Treat all files with suspicion 

Most viruses are designed to do something apart from copying themselves they also:

• Display annoying messages on the screen
• Delete programs or data
• Use up resources making the computer run slower 
• Spy on online use and collect passwords, usernames and card number to make illegal purchases

3 - HACKING

Hacking is attempting to or actually gaining access to in ICT system without permission. 
Protection against hacking:

• Firewalls - filter out unauthorized requests from outside users to fain access to a network. They also filter data so that only allowable data comes into the system
• Intrusion Detection - this detects unwanted attempts of accessing a computer system usually by seeking out hackers from the interned. 

Once a hacker has gained access they may: 

• Do nothing and be content that they have gained access
• Gain access to sensitive or personal data 
• Use personal data to commit blackmail
• Cause damage to data
• Deliberately alter data to commit fraud

Copyright and Patents Act

PURPOSE

The act was introduced to protect the investment of time, money and effort by people who create an original piece of work to ensure that this could not be claimed by someone else. 

The two main purposes are:

1. To ensure that people are rewarded for their endeavors 
2. To give protection to the copyright owner if someone tries to steal or copy their work