computer misuse act 1990
... same time when the access is secured or at any other time. [21/98] Unauthorised modification of computer material 5. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), any person who does any act which he knows will cause an unauthorised modification of the contents of any computer shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both. [21/98] (2) If any damage is caused as a result of an offence under this section, a person convicted of the offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both. [21/98] (3) For the purposes of this section, it is immaterial that the act in question is not directed at — (a) any particular program or data; (b) a program or data of any kind; or (c) a program or data held in any particular computer. (4) For the purposes of this section, it is immaterial whether an unauthorised modification is, or is intended to be, permanent or merely temporary. Unauthorised use or interception of computer service 6. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), any person who knowingly — (a) secures access without authority to any computer for the purpose of obtaining, directly or indirectly, any computer service; (b) intercepts or causes to be intercepted without authority, directly or indirectly, any function of a computer by means of an electro-magnetic, acoustic, mechanical or other device; or (c) uses or causes to be used, directly or indirectly, the computer or any other device for the purpose of committing an offence under paragraph ( a) or ( b), shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both. [21/98] (2) If any damage is caused as a result of an offence under this section, a person convicted of the offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both. [21/98] (3) For the purposes of this section, it is immaterial that the unauthorised access or interception is not directed at — (a) any particular program or data; (b) a program or data of any kind; or (c) a program or data held in any particular computer. Unauthorised obstruction of use of computer 7. —(1) Any person who, knowingly and without authority or lawful excuse — (a) interferes with, or interrupts or obstructs the lawful use of, a computer; or (b) impedes or prevents access to, or impairs the usefulness or effectiveness of, any program or data stored in a computer, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both. [21/98] (2) If any damage is caused as a result of an offence under this section, a person convicted of the offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both. [6A [21/98] Unauthorised disclosure of access code 8. —(1) Any person who, knowingly and without authority, discloses any password, access code or any other means of gaining access to any program or data held in any computer shall be guilty of an offence if he did so — (a) for any wrongful gain; (b) for any unlawful purpose; or (c) knowing that it is likely to cause wrongful loss to any person. [21/98] (2) Any person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both...