The term “hacker” is no longer used to refer to those who break into another’s computer network to damage it.  Businesses, the government, and some overly litigious law firms are using the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to create liability where common sense creates none.  Now, anyone who exceeds the access granted under a website’s Terms of Use can be accused of hacking and unauthorized access.
Businesses have posted “Terms of Use” which prohibit competitors from even viewing the businesses’ website.   Moreover, even the innocent use of commercially available scripting software may result in the receipt of a cease and desist demand letter from an Intellectual Property attorney accusing you of hacking and unauthorized access!

Unauthorized access to computer networks is often prosecuted under the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the Virginia Computer Crime Statutes and Virginia Computer Trespass Statutes.

1. The Computer Fraud and abuse Act, codified under 18 U.S.C. § 1030 is being applied very broadly for civil cases and criminal prosecution for hacking and unauthorized access. A violator of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is one who  knowingly access a computer without authorization to  obtain information from a protected computer involved Interstate or foreign communication.

If you are served with a civil or criminal complaint or accusation of violations to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, our hacking and unauthorized access attorneys are ready to assist you to protect your legal rights.

Under Virginia law, computer trespass is the use a computer to make a copy of computer data without authorization.

Whether you are accused of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Virginia Compter Crime Statutes, Virginia Computer Fraud Statutes, Virginia Computer Trespass Statutes or a State’s Computer Crime statutes, you are best served by contacting an attorney who specializes in these hacking, unauthorized access and Computer Crimes issues.

Our Internet Lawyers have unique knowledge.  When it comes to understanding the operation of the computer code used by the real hackers, curious website visitors, and others, who better than a Computer Engineer who is an experienced computer programmer? Other Internet attorneys cannot navigate through computer code the way our attorneys can in order to provide you the best hacking law knowledge available.

See Also:

Copyright Infringement

Trademark Infringement

Domain Name

Internet Defamation

Cyber Crime Defense