Computer misuse and the law

In parallel with increases in computer use for all kinds of functions in business and commerce, there has been an increase in computer crime. While the Law Commission's recent working paper on computer misuse addressed several important issues, it came to the conclusion that existing laws were sufficient to deal with rising crime in this area. This paper examines the Commission's main arguments and reveals some of the conundrums which they had to deal with because of the new technology. The authors argue that the new technology does challenge the effectiveness of current laws, several of which were drafted before computing became prevalent, and that victims of computer misuse should receive additional protection under the law.