The Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is a legislation that criminalizes unauthorized access to another person’s computer and the intentional infliction of harm to its data, programs, systems, or information. This law is applicable to both individuals and organisations. Violators of this law may be held responsible for any damages caused to the computer.
The Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (FCFAA) is a law that imposes liability on individuals or organisations for unauthorized access to a computer and causing harm to it. “Harm” is defined by the law as damage to the computer’s data, programs, systems, and information by compromising integrity or impairing availability. For example, a hacker gaining unauthorized access to a company’s computer system and deleting important files, an employee using their access to view confidential information, or a person using malware to crash a computer system are all violations of the FCFAA. These examples demonstrate how the FCFAA can be used to hold individuals or organisations responsible for damaging computer systems through unauthorized access or malicious actions. The law aims to protect computer systems and their data from unauthorized access and damage, and to discourage individuals from engaging in these activities.
The CFAA is a federal law that addresses unauthorized access to computer systems and the misuse of information.
The CFAA prohibits activities such as accessing a computer system without authorization, exceeding authorized access to a computer system, and obtaining information from a computer system without authorization.
Penalties for violating the CFAA can include fines and imprisonment, with the severity of the penalties depending on the specific circumstances of the violation.
The CFAA does not typically apply to individuals accessing their own computer systems, but there may be exceptions in certain cases.
Yes, a company or organisation can be held liable for violations of the CFAA by its employees if it is found that the company or organisation failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the violations.
Yes, the CFAA allows for civil lawsuits to be filed by individuals or entities that have been harmed by violations of the law.
The statute of limitations for CFAA violations is generally five years, but there may be exceptions in certain cases.
Yes, the CFAA is often used to prosecute individuals for hacking and other cybercrimes.
Defenses to CFAA charges may include lack of intent, lack of knowledge, or authorization to access the computer system in question.
To ensure compliance with the CFAA, individuals and organisations should establish and enforce clear policies and procedures for accessing and using computer systems, and provide training to employees on the requirements of the law.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
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