Hackers and the law
Summary Description Newswire's 5 Minute Guides looks at the practice of hacking and the laws against it in Australia.
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Roullas Top10 Simon Vandore

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Editorial InformationArticle Location
Article Topic 5 Minute Guides, Security
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Story Group 001024
Post Date 18/09/2000 06:09 AM Status Posted Entered by Simon Vandore on 18/09/2000 05:45 AM


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What's the definition of hacking anyway?
Hacking originally meant computer programming. While many still like to use the word in this way, in the general public's mind (and in the eyes of the law) it has come to mean the practice of illegally gaining access to digitally stored information. Computer hacking is an international subculture of shared techniques and tip-offs, where those who can find a way through the tightest security become a revered elite. For many it's just a thrill ride and any alteration of data (such as a message added to a Web page) is done as proof of entry, but the most dangerous hackers are often disgruntled employees who want to cause damage to their employer.
Hacking should not be confused with cracking, which is the practice of breaking encryption codes, or phreaking, which means breaking into the telephone network to gain free calls and other advantages.
What laws exist against computer hacking in Australia?
Sections 76A, B, C, D and E of the Commonwealth Crimes Act, which were introduced as amendments in 1992, contain the main anti-hacking laws in Australia. The act defines offences such as unlawful access to data (penalties from 6 months to two years) and damaging data (anything up to 10 years), in various degrees of severity.
Who enforces the hacking laws and what powers do they have?
The Australian Federal Police Computer Crimes Unit is responsible for investigating most hacking incidents in this country. It is an increasingly sophisticated unit of officers with IT knowledge who can usually confiscate computer equipment and data relating to investigations, gaining regular cooperation from ISPs and telephone companies to trace offenders via their entry points to the system. Often this involves a period of surveillance and examination of system logs in the hope that a hacker will get careless and repeat previous tactics.
Are there many hackers in Australia?
Due to the Internet's lack of borders and the international telephone system, attacks on local sites can come from anywhere in the world, but quite a few Australian hackers have been caught over the years. The highest profile hacking conviction in Australia was probably that of Internet consultant Skeeve Stevens, sentenced for three years (serving 18 months) under the Commonwealth Crimes Act for breaking into ISP AusNet in 1995 and distributing customers' credit card details. Stevens claimed he was trying to show AusNet's lack of security, but he was found to have deliberately damaged the ISP's business. The main reason Stevens' case attracted so much attention was that he was already known to the media -- when the hack occurred, he had been interviewed by journalists as an expert commentator. Other high profile convictions included that of an Aussie teenager who broke into NASA in the early 1990s and was tracked down through the presence of the letters "OILZ" (referring to band Midnight Oil) in the process name of a worm (virus) he left.
Are you in danger of being hacked?
Most hacks occur on Unix variants. The biggest targets are networked machines in large organisations.
While security software exists for all platforms, most Windows and Mac OS computers are not set up to receive external connections or act as servers. Even when they connect to the Internet, they usually initiate activity rather than respond to it. However, the owner can dramatically increase the risks by installing server software or a third-party program containing a 'back door' for unauthorised two-way data transfer. User actions such as sharing directories across a network or failing to keep up with the latest versions of high-risk programs (such as IRC clients) can also increase risks.
Bear in mind that computer hacking is also potentially a tool for the authorities, even a weapon of war. US, Russian and Chinese governments have all claimed they are subject to politically motivated hack attacks. Before Skeeve Stevens was jailed, his personal site hosted mirrors (copies) of spectacular Web site hacks and in 1996, he claimed the CIA and US military regularly tried to break in and remove them. Too many secrets!


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Bulletin SummaryHackers and the law
Newswire's 5 Minute Guides looks at the practice of hacking and the laws against it in Australia.

WAP SummaryHackers and the law
Newswire's 5 Minute Guides looks at the practice of hacking and the laws against it in Australia.

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Hackers and the law

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