White Hat (computer Security) - Legality in The UK

Legality in The UK

Struan Robertson, legal director at Pinsent Masons LLP, and editor of OUT-LAW.com, says “Broadly speaking, if the access to a system is authorized, the hacking is ethical and legal. If it isn’t, there’s an offence under the Computer Misuse Act. The unauthorized access offence covers everything from guessing the password, to accessing someone’s webmail account, to cracking the security of a bank. The maximum penalty for unauthorized access to a computer is two years in prison and a fine. There are higher penalties – up to 10 years in prison – when the hacker also modifies data”, Unauthorized access even to expose vulnerabilities for the benefit of many is not legal, says Robertson. “There’s no defense in our hacking laws that your behavior is for the greater good. Even if it’s what you believe.”