What criminal offences does the Computer Misuse Act 1990 deal with?

Answer 1

The Computer Misuse Act was voted into law in the United Kingdom, partially based on the outcome of a 1987 case, R V Gold and Schifreen. Stephen Gold and Robert Schifreen were able to gain access British Telecom through its Prestel service by using regular home computers. They had obtained the password by shoulder Surfing at a trade show. Once they gained access to Prestel, they managed to gain access to the personal messages of Prince Philip. The Computer Misuse Act introduced three new criminal codes. They are unauthorized access to a computer, unauthorized access to a computer with the intent of engaging in further offenses, and unauthorized modification of computer information.

Answer 2

You are probably referring to the Computer Misuse Act of 1990. It is an act by the Parliament of the UK. Sections 1 through 3 of the act define 3 specific criminal acts related to computer use (or rather misuse)

1. unauthorised access to computer material, punishable by 12 months' imprisonment (or 6 months in Scotland) and/or a fine "not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale" (since 2015, unlimited); pretty much this means any kind of hacking to get into a computer or computer system without permission by the owner
2. unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences, punishable by 12 months/maximum fine (or 6 months in Scotland) on summary conviction and/or 5 years/fine on indictment; this includes misusing computers even if your initial access was authorized - if you do something you were not authorized to do once you got on, then it falls under this section.
3. unauthorised modification of computer material, punishable by 12 months/maximum fine (or 6 months in Scotland) on summary conviction and/or 10 years/fine on indictment. Note that this includes viruses, worms, ransomware, and a lot of other types of malware.

There have been at least 2 sets of amendments to the act since it was passed:

The amendments to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 by Part 5 of the Police and Justice Act 2006 are:

• Section 35. Unauthorised access to computer material, punishable by up to 2 years in prison or a fine or both.
• Section 36. Unauthorised acts with intent to impair operation of computer, etc. punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine or both.
• Section 37. Making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in computer misuse offences, punishable by up to 2 years in prison or a fine or both.
• Section 38. Transitional and saving provision.

The amendments to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 by Part 2 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 are:

• Section 41. (New Section 3ZA of the Computer Misuse Act 1990). Unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk of, serious damage - punishable by up to 14 years in prison or a fine or both, possible life imprisonment where human welfare or national security were endangered.
• Section 42. Obtaining articles for purposes relating to computer misuse - amendments to Section 3A.
• Section 43. Territorial scope of computer misuse - amendments to Sections 4, 5 and 10 making the primary territorial scope the United Kingdom but can be worldwide especially if perpetrator (or conspirators) is British and broke local law.
• Section 44. Savings - covers seizure and enactment amendments to Sections 10 and 16.
• Section 47. Serious Crime Prevention Orders: meaning of "Serious Offence" - adds Computer Misuse to list of serious crimes in the Serious Crime Act 2007 including being grounds for compulsory winding up of a company.
• Section 86. Transition and savings provisions - requires Sections 42 and 43 to be brought into force before they can be used.
• Schedule 1. Amendments to Serious Crimes Act 2007: Scotland - similar changes to Scottish law.
• Schedule 4. Minor and consequential amendments - changes Computer Misuse Act 1990 and the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Answer 3

The Parliament of the United Kingdom passed the computer Misuse Act 1990. There are 3 criminal acts associated with the act. The first is Unauthorized access to computer material. The second is unauthorized access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences. The 3rd criminal act is unauthorized modification of computer material.