Cyber Security Enhancement Act, HR 3482

Rep Smith introduces an anti-cyber sabotage legislation

[cyril kearney]

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) has introduced legislation to direct the Federal Sentencing Commission to enhance the sentences for cyber-sabotage. The aim is to give virus creators longer sentences and fines.

The bill falls short of redefining the conspiracy to include site owners that post materials that assists the cyber-terrorist.

This bill is seen as a step toward the ending the US governments laisse-faire attitude toward 'hacking' crimes.

In the past, some virus creators that have caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damages have received sentences of less than a year. If the Sentencing Commission puts these crimes on a par with othe 'white-collar' crimes, future hackers will be facing 5 to 10 years in jail with the requirement to serve 85% of the time before parole.

[Macguru]

future hackers will be facing 5 to 10 years in jail

Good! That will give them plenty of time to learn a new meaning of "hacking trought the back door" and "hard drive". :)

On a more serious note, I is about time virus writers and hackers face the responsability of their crimes. Hope it passes.

[korkus2000]

Cyber crimes should be treated as harshly as any other crime. People need to stop the notion that cyber crime only effects the rich and the large corperations. IMHO virus writers should be considered terrorists. As technology grows hackers could endanger more than just information.

[bartek]

First, I object to using the term hacker to describe virus writers and authors of what became known as trojans. Second, software vendors who release ridiculously poor software (such as Outlook Express, for instance) should also be, BY LAW, held responsible.

I hope it doesn't pass - the desire to hack is the driving force behind all software development. Going around labelling truly talented people as criminals and terrorists is not going to help progress.

[AlbinoRhyno]

the desire to hack is the driving force behind all software development. Going around labelling truly talented people as criminals and terrorists is not going to help progress

Except for when they cause monetary damage to someone else. Would you have let Hitler takeover Europe because he was truly talented in military and political affairs?

I have no problem with people doing whatever they want in the privacy of their homes, or in this case, in the privacy of their own home networks. However, their rights end when their fist hits someone's nose, to use a cliche.

I also agree that software companies should be held responsible for their poor software, but not by the government. Consumers are the final judge and jury, and they vote with thier pocketbooks. Unfortunately, today's consumer is more than willing to keep pumping out money to buy the latest and greatest versions, rather than demanding a quality product in the first place.

[EliteWeb]

The hackers will always be unknown (; It is the script kiddies who are caught often because they do things in the wrong manner, the same manner of which many viruses writers follow - that is of which to be known, have their name seen and gain media attention.

This should just push hackers to become better at what they do to not get caught. The hackers will be hidden because the kiddies (cyber terrorists) gain the attention from screwing up. Everyone needs a fall guy just this time around if its passed they get some jail time. CyberJail. oOoo if its not taken I want it\!@

[Travoli]

Sounds good to me, considering the hours spent formatting my HD 2 weeks ago due to an undetected virus. On the other hand, aren't the majority of attacks based overseas?