Hacking and Virus Distribution
Hacking and Virus Distribution
When the Internet gained momentum as a growing medium, innumerable ways of exchanging information and marketing began to form as well. Creativity was the norm, and many companies worked ahead of the curve to either found a new brand or expand their existing brand in ways that were never before possible.
Unfortunately, the availability of information online also led to new criminal efforts, and two of those efforts are known as hacking and virus distribution. Each of these crimes is briefly described below, but if you face this sort of criminal accusation, you need to build your defense as soon as possible.
Hacking
Hacking is the computer term that defines the act of breaking into another person’s or company’s computer system to accomplish an additional act. Certain results of hacking include the gathering of information for eventual personal gain, for spying on other people or companies in order to maintain knowledge on their whereabouts or planned occurrences or simply to stalk or bother the victim.
If a defendant is convicted of hacking, he or she is generally charged with a federal crime. Punishments upon a conviction can include up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines or more depending on the circumstances.
Virus Distribution
Viruses are computer programs or scripts that are planted on another computer or network that are designed to accomplish any one of several things, none of which are positive. Viruses can help someone spy on another person or company, and they can also sneak into a computer system and completely disable it. Regardless, virus distribution is seen as the online equivalent of industrial sabotage in many situations, and once again, many of these crimes are federal in nature as the actions tend to cross state lines.
Virus distribution trials date back to the beginning of the 21st Century, and many of the penalties associated with virus distribution depend on the underlying facts of the case. Basically, punishments are largely dependent on the amount of damage caused, and some of the more notorious virus crimes in history, including the infamous “Melissa” virus, caused nearly $100 million in damages.
If you are facing accusations of either hacking or virus distribution, you need to begin building your defense as soon as possible. Contact the Blanch Law Firm in New York immediately to schedule an initial consultation and to begin the process of building your defense.