The CMA is the Computer Misuse Act 1990. This is a Law passed by the British Government that prevents any one from gaining access to your computer, making alterations or erasing, moving items or stopping a computer working correctly without permission. A computer can also be your phone.
Why teach the Computer Misuse Act 1990?
17
Is the average age of arrest for cyber crime.
1 in 4
Teenager have admitted trying to compromise someone’s account.
1%
Of teenagers have sent at least one virus in the last 12 months.
61%
Of hackers started to hack before they were 16 years old.
Offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 include:
Section 1 > Unauthorised access to computer material.
Example: Without them knowing, you watched their friend put their password into their phone. You then used it to gain access to their phone and download their photos.
Max Penalty: 2 years in prison.
Section 2 > Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences.
Example: Without their permission, you accessed your friends smartphone, obtaining their bank details, so you could transfer money from their account.
Max Penalty: 5 years in prison.
Section 3 > Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or recklessness as to impairing, operation of a computer.
Example: You used a ‘booter tool’ to knock a friend off an online game.
Max Penalty: 10 years in prison.
Section 3ZA > Unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk, of serious damage.
Example: You hacked into the computer system of a government agency, and reckless as to the consequences. National security was undermined.
Max Penalty: Life in prison.
Section 3A > Making, supplying, or obtaining articles for use in another CMA offence
Example: You download a product to deploy malware to a friends computer, so you could control it. You don’t even get the chance to use it.
Max Penalty: 2 years in prison.
