4.1.3 Computer Misuse Act

What was the original focus of the Computer Misuse Act (CMA)?

• To criminalise the act of accessing or modifying data stored on a computer system without appropriate consent or permission

• To better understand hacking and why people do it

• To make effective computer security cheaper

• All of the above

The Computer Misuse Act has many amendments since its creation.

How does it define and describe a 'Computer'?

• "An electronic device capable of human interaction"

• "A device that stores, processes and outputs data"

• Both of the previous answers

• The CMA does not define a computer

Answer explanation

This is to avoid definitions quickly becoming out of date or not fit for purpose

Which of these is an offence, under section 1 of the CMA?

• Buying a PC from Currys/PC World

• Unauthorised access to computer material

• Unsupervised access to a public machine

• Watching the 1995 film 'Hackers', featuring Angelina Jolie

Which of these is an offence, under section 2 of the CMA?

• Unauthorised access to computer materials with intent to commit a further crime

• Access to computer materials without proper training

• Access to a private network by guessing the password

• Unauthorised access to computer materials with intent to hide the fact

Which of these is an offence, under section 3 of the CMA?

• Setting a WiFi network name to something offensive

• Creating more than five personal email accounts

• Modifying the UI theme of the operating software, or changing the screen orientation

• The unauthorised modification of data

What is the penalty for unauthorised access to computer material under Section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act?

• A fine of up to £2000

• A fine of up to £5000 and/or a maximum six months in prison

• A fine of up to £10000 and/or one year in prison

• Community service

Section 3A was introduced to the CMA in 2006, what did it make illegal?

• Making, supplying or obtaining any articles for use in a malicious act using a computer

• Making or supplying software that could decrypt emails

• Computers manufactured before 2000, with weaker security

• Club Penguin

What is the primary intent of a black hat hacker?

• To identify vulnerabilities and report them

• To hack systems for fun or to troll

• To steal, exploit data, or sell data

• To fix vulnerabilities for a fee

What is the primary motivation behind grey hat hacking?

• To gain unauthorized access for personal profit

• To explore systems out of curiosity without causing harm

• To find and offer to fix vulnerabilities, sometimes charging a fee

• To report all findings to the authorities without exception

Which type of hacker is known to operate within legal boundaries by having permission to identify system vulnerabilities?

• Black hat

• Grey hat

• White hat

• Red hat