1USA Link Exchange

Gov. Ridge signed Senate Bill 1077 amending the Pennsylvania Crime Code to deal with criminals who deliberately spread damaging computer
viruses.

"Today we send a strong message to those who would wreak havoc on
innocent computer users." Ridge said. "If you intentionally spread a
computer virus, you will face a significant prison term and you will be
responsible for reimbursing the victims of your crime."
SB 1077 defines - for the first time - the meaning of the term "computer
virus" in Pennsylvania. A computer virus is defined as a computer
program copied to or installed on a computer, computer network, computer
program, computer software or computer system without the informed
consent of the owner that may replicate itself and that causes
unauthorized activities within or by the computer.

The bill incorporates "computer hacking" into the crime of unlawful use
of a computer with a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $10,000
fine. Intentionally spreading a computer virus could result in a seven
year prison term.

Additionally, upon conviction for intentionally distributing a computer
virus, a defendant also would be required to reimburse the victim for
the cost of repairing or, if necessary, replacing the affected computer,
system, network, software or database. The defendant also would have to
reimburse the victim for any lost profit for downtime caused by the
virus and for the cost of replacing or restoring the data lost or
damaged.
(This alone could go into the millions of dollars.... meaning that the
offender would probably never have enough money to buy a car, a house, a
boat, etc.)

Submitted Sep 1999
Approved May 2000
View details of the Law:

Here are some feedback comments:

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1USA.COM is the only ISP that I know of that actively prevents virus
attacks on behalf of its customers.
In addition, 1USA.COM has actively encouraged its customers to spend the
$29 to $35 necessary to purchase good anti-virus software in the event a
virus might be contracted by visiting unscrupulous 'hacker' or 'warez'
web sites, inserting a floppy disk from an infected computer, or by
catching a virus via other methods.
( I still recommend http://www.pc-cillin.com )

NOTICE:
Should any 1USA Subscriber believe that they are being attacked by a person (either inside or outside Pennsylvania) via Virus Attack, 1USA will try to assist you and make its diary of virus interceptions available to
representatives from the State Police only. The diary contains the date
& time the virus was stopped (either in-bound or out-bound), the name of
the virus and its details, and if possible, a copy of the infected file,
for a period of 60 DAYS only.
There is no requirement for an ISP to maintain such logs at all -- we do
it for the benefit of our 1USA Subscribers.

And this brings up an interesting question...... If the other ISPs continue to turn their heads and choose to not provide such high level and quality of service as that of 1USA.COM, are they then considered "an accessory" or "aiding and abetting" such virus attacks? Can they also be sued or held responsible? For 1USA Subscribers only: Post your ballot in the voting booth
No Because you can't sue the phone company if you receive malicious phone calls.	or	Yes Because the ISP turned their heads and allowed your computer to become infected - which costs money for repairs. You can't just "hang up and pretend it never happened."

and post your comments in the Virus_Attack Forum in
(Frames:) http://members.1usa.com/forums/
(No frames:) http://members.1usa.com/forums/list/messages/?forumid=4

BarryZ,
head webmaster