22 January
2003
Eversheds e80
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The e-news service from Eversheds - Business Lawyers in Europe
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Computer Misuse Act 1990
Simon Vallor, the man who sent e-mail viruses after September
11th
claiming to be from Microsoft, was jailed yesterday in the heaviest
sentence yet under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
Vallor admitted creating three viruses at his home in
Llandudno and was
sentenced to two years in prison for each of three offences, to run
concurrently. Vallor's viruses were said to have spread to 42 countries
and were known as Gokar, Admirer and Redesi. Some of the e-mails claimed
to have come from Microsoft and offered protection against online
terrorism. When opened the e-mail released a virus which interfered with
a computer's memory three months later. The court heard that Vallor was
caught when he boasted of his viruses on internet chat rooms. The FBI
picked up the trail and alerted the police in the UK.
As well as showing the destructive nature of these attacks
the case also
highlights the fact that companies need to monitor their online reputation
given the social engineering involved in this type of activity. Many
virus writers will make believe an e-mail carrying a virus comes from
a
reputable source causing potential damage to that company's name in the
process.
Jonathan Armstrong
jonathanarmstrong@eversheds.com
Direct dial: 0115 841 7642
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