Cybercrime laws vary between countries and even within them, covering topics such as hacking, data theft, and cyberbullying. Laws can be categorized as usage, access, and content policies, with different regulations on theft of computer systems, piracy, and unauthorized copying of software. Access regulations cover the spread of viruses and remote hacking, while control regulations prohibit posting pornography, soliciting minors, and internet libel. There is little consistency in global cybercrime laws, with different definitions and penalties, and government priorities vary.
In the years since computers and Internet access have become an almost ubiquitous part of many societies, government leaders around the world have been busy drafting and enacting cybercrime laws. There are different laws in each country and sometimes they even vary between locations within each country. Cybercrime laws touch on topics such as hacking, data theft and cyberbullying. Most laws can be broken down into terms of use policies, access policies, and content policies, although the specifics of what a law contains or controls is entirely jurisdiction-specific.
Usage regulations often concern how computer hardware and software programs were obtained. Many laws in this category punish theft of computer systems, as well as the piracy and unauthorized copying of software applications. Restrictions on how music and movie files can be shared online are also common. Copyright infringement and other intellectual property protections intersect with cybercrime laws in many ways.
Laws that set the parameters for how employees can use corporate networks, especially those that prohibit data theft and unfair competition, also fall under the broad umbrella of use restrictions. Cybercrime programs that essentially hack into other people’s computers for the purpose of running malware or distributing malicious code are banned in most places. Using someone else’s computer or Internet connection, traceable via the subscriber’s unique Internet Protocol (IP) address, to perpetuate the crime is also punishable almost everywhere.
Most access regulations have to do with the spread of viruses and remote hacking operations. This type of activity is usually classified as an Internet crime, carried out via fraudulent websites, surreptitious downloads, or deceptive email attachments. Identity theft laws and financial cyber fraud regulations usually have their roots in the desire of lawmakers to limit access to private hard drives and files.
Cybercrime laws that fall into the control category are often the broadest. These laws prohibit things like posting pornography or soliciting minors online. Some laws control what is said in Internet spaces, particularly social networking sites, and prohibit the malicious use of these services to harass other people. Internet libel and libel laws prevent website owners from posting false or misleading information about living people online, and often require blog owners and publishers of interactive articles to monitor all comments they allow to be posted.
There is very little consistency between cybercrime laws on the global stage. Although similar practices are pursued almost everywhere, the way in which offenses are defined – as well as the penalties associated with them – can be very different, depending on the place. Governments also prioritize cybercrime laws differently. Just because something is illegal doesn’t always mean that government officials will devote resources to prosecuting offenders. This leads to a very fragmented worldview of what is and isn’t allowed when it comes to computers.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
