Question

The computer fraud and abuse act would protect someone from what behvior

Answer 1

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), enacted in 1986, is a U.S. law that addresses crimes related to computer systems and data. It provides protection against various forms of computer-related misconduct. Specifically, the CFAA protects individuals and organizations from the following behaviors:

1. **Unauthorized Access**: The act makes it illegal to access a computer system or network without authorization. This includes hacking into systems to steal, alter, or destroy data.

2. **Exceeding Authorized Access**: It prohibits individuals from accessing information in a computer system for which they have permission but then using that access to misuse or divert information for unauthorized purposes.

3. **Identity Theft**: The CFAA addresses actions related to identity theft, including the unauthorized use of someone else's personal information through computer systems.

4. **Damage to Computer Systems**: The law criminalizes the intentional transmission of harmful programs (e.g., viruses, worms) that can damage or interfere with computer systems or data.

5. **Trafficking in Passwords**: It prohibits the sale or distribution of passwords or similar items that allow unauthorized access to protected computers.

6. **Computer Sabotage**: It includes provisions against the destruction or transmission of information that causes damage to a computer system or interferes with its operation.

7. **Financial Loss**: The CFAA protects organizations against deceptive acts that can lead to losses, such as theft of information for profit.

Overall, the CFAA serves as a legal framework to protect individuals and organizations from various forms of computer-related fraud and abuse, safeguarding personal and proprietary information from unauthorized access and malicious activities.