Re: So, did the BBC cross the line?

["David Harley" <david.a.harley () gmail com>]

> Come to think of it, isn't a botnet a computer system?  
> Wouldn't that make it illegal to dismantle it, or hamper its 
> operation in any way?

Maybe. It can certainly be argued that modifying data (the wallpaper) and
the bot  on individual zombie machines is in breach of section 3.

3       Unauthorised modification of computer material 

(1) A person is guilty of an offence if- 
(a) he does any act which causes an unauthorised modification of the
contents of any computer; and 
(b) at the time when he does the act he has the requisite intent and the
requisite knowledge. 

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above the requisite intent is an
intent to cause a modification of the contents of any computer and by so
doing- 
(a) to impair the operation of any computer; 
(b) to prevent or hinder access to any program or data held in any computer;
or 
(c) to impair the operation of any such program or the reliability of any
such data. 

(3) The intent need not be directed at- 
(a) any particular computer; 
(b) any particular program or data or a program or data of any particular
kind; or 
(c) any particular modification or a modification of any particular kind. 

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above the requisite knowledge is
knowledge that any modification he intends to cause is unauthorised. 

(5) It is immaterial for the purposes of this section whether an
unauthorised modification or any intended effect of it of a kind mentioned
in subsection (2) above is, or is intended to be, permanent or merely
temporary. 

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/ukpga_19900018_en_1

--
David Harley BA CISSP FBCS CITP
Small Blue-Green World

 


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