AplusWebMaster
Topic Starter
FYI…
- http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?t…storyID=8581953
May 24, 2005
"The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday voted to establish new penalties for purveyors of Internet "spyware" that disables users' computers and secretly monitors their activities. By overwhelming majorities, the House passed two bills that stiffen jail sentences and establish multimillion-dollar fines for those who use secret surveillance programs to steal credit-card numbers, sell software or commit other crimes. …The bills prohibit a number of practices often associated with spyware, such as reprograming the start page on a user's Web browser, logging keystrokes to capture passwords and other sensitive data, or launching pop-up ads that can't be closed without shutting down the computer. The practice known as "phishing" – in which scam artists pose as banks or other businesses in an attempt to trick consumers into divulging account information – would also be outlawed.
The House voted 395 to 1 to impose jail sentences of up to 2 years. Violators could face fines up to $3 million per incident. Those who use spyware to commit other crimes, such as identity theft, could have an additional 5 years tacked on to their sentences. Both bills passed the House last year but the Senate adjourned before taking action. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate this year…"
- http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?t…storyID=8581953
May 24, 2005
"The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday voted to establish new penalties for purveyors of Internet "spyware" that disables users' computers and secretly monitors their activities. By overwhelming majorities, the House passed two bills that stiffen jail sentences and establish multimillion-dollar fines for those who use secret surveillance programs to steal credit-card numbers, sell software or commit other crimes. …The bills prohibit a number of practices often associated with spyware, such as reprograming the start page on a user's Web browser, logging keystrokes to capture passwords and other sensitive data, or launching pop-up ads that can't be closed without shutting down the computer. The practice known as "phishing" – in which scam artists pose as banks or other businesses in an attempt to trick consumers into divulging account information – would also be outlawed.
The House voted 395 to 1 to impose jail sentences of up to 2 years. Violators could face fines up to $3 million per incident. Those who use spyware to commit other crimes, such as identity theft, could have an additional 5 years tacked on to their sentences. Both bills passed the House last year but the Senate adjourned before taking action. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate this year…"