belgareth
10-07-2004, 10:25 AM
Though not nearly strong enough, it will help. The biggest problem is many of the
criminals are outside of the US.
Bill Imposes Prison Time Over 'Spyware'
By TED BRIDIS, AP Technology Writer
WASHINGTON - The House on Thursday passed the
second bill in three days that would outlaw "spyware," irritating software that quietly monitors the activities of
Internet users.
It would add penalties of up to five years in prison
for people convicted of installing such programs without a computer user's permission.
The bill, known as the "Internet Spyware Prevention Act," passed
415-0. It would give the Justice Department (news - web sites) $10 million to crack down on companies and others
that secretly install spyware and those who attempt to trick victims into disclosing personal details and financial
information in e-mail scams popularly known as "phishing."
The
bill's sponsor, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (news, bio, voting record), R-Va., said such problems were growing and serious.
Offenders under his bill would be sentenced for up to five years for secretly installing spyware to break into
someone's computer and commiting another federal crime.
Anyone
caught installing spyware to change a computer's security settings or steal a victim's personal information — such
as an e-mail address, telephone number or bank account number — could be sentenced up to two years in prison.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., said spyware
was "quickly becoming one of the biggest threats to consumers on the Internet." She cited estimates that up to 90
percent of computers contain some forms of spyware. Lofgren said her daughter was recently victimized by electronic
thieves in a phishing scam, persuading her in a forged e-mail to disclose personal information.
"Her thumb hit the send button and she thought, 'Oh, my goodness,
what have I done!' We had to call and cancel all the credit cards and the like," Lofgren said. "This is something
that preys upon people."
The House on Tuesday voted 399-1 to pass
the "Spy Act," sponsored by Rep. Mary Bono (news, bio, voting record), R-Calif., which would add hefty civil
penalties over the use of spyware.
Lawmakers were widely expected to
combine both proposals for a final vote by year's end.
The House bill passed Wednesday is H.R. 4661. The related bill
approved Tuesday is H.R. 2929.
criminals are outside of the US.
Bill Imposes Prison Time Over 'Spyware'
By TED BRIDIS, AP Technology Writer
WASHINGTON - The House on Thursday passed the
second bill in three days that would outlaw "spyware," irritating software that quietly monitors the activities of
Internet users.
It would add penalties of up to five years in prison
for people convicted of installing such programs without a computer user's permission.
The bill, known as the "Internet Spyware Prevention Act," passed
415-0. It would give the Justice Department (news - web sites) $10 million to crack down on companies and others
that secretly install spyware and those who attempt to trick victims into disclosing personal details and financial
information in e-mail scams popularly known as "phishing."
The
bill's sponsor, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (news, bio, voting record), R-Va., said such problems were growing and serious.
Offenders under his bill would be sentenced for up to five years for secretly installing spyware to break into
someone's computer and commiting another federal crime.
Anyone
caught installing spyware to change a computer's security settings or steal a victim's personal information — such
as an e-mail address, telephone number or bank account number — could be sentenced up to two years in prison.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., said spyware
was "quickly becoming one of the biggest threats to consumers on the Internet." She cited estimates that up to 90
percent of computers contain some forms of spyware. Lofgren said her daughter was recently victimized by electronic
thieves in a phishing scam, persuading her in a forged e-mail to disclose personal information.
"Her thumb hit the send button and she thought, 'Oh, my goodness,
what have I done!' We had to call and cancel all the credit cards and the like," Lofgren said. "This is something
that preys upon people."
The House on Tuesday voted 399-1 to pass
the "Spy Act," sponsored by Rep. Mary Bono (news, bio, voting record), R-Calif., which would add hefty civil
penalties over the use of spyware.
Lawmakers were widely expected to
combine both proposals for a final vote by year's end.
The House bill passed Wednesday is H.R. 4661. The related bill
approved Tuesday is H.R. 2929.