Computer hacking laws discussed in Parliament

Home Secretary gives first reading of The Police and Justice Bill

The House of Commons heard the first reading of The Police and Justice Bill yesterday which, if approved, could lead to tougher prison sentences for computer hackers and virus writers.

Home secretary Charles Clarke outlined details of the legislation, including an update of the 1990 Computer Misuse Act.

The proposed legislation includes recommendations made by Glasgow South MP Tom Harris in a private members bill last year, including prison sentences of up to 10 years for criminals who make unauthorised modifications to computers.

It also suggests that hackers who try to gain unauthorised access to computer systems see their sentences rise from six months to two years.

By amending section three of the CMA to explicitly make denial of service attacks a criminal offence, the UK government also plans to ratify its position as a member of the Council of Europe’s cyber crime convention, which sets out a common international approach to prosecuting hackers, virus writers and internet extortionists.

Mr Clarke told MPs: 'Computer misuse – the continued threat posed by computer hacking and denial-of-service attacks – is one of the growing new threats that can be tackled only through extensive international co-operation.'

'To that end, the bill takes up a private member's bill tabled by my honorable friend the member for Glasgow South, Mr Harris to amend the Computer Misuse Act 1990.'

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