Mattsanator


 * [[image:mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmen.jpg align="right"]]Contents:**
 * Computer Viruses
 * Consequences of Computer Crime

=**Computer Viruses:**= A computer Virus is a small program that is designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with a computers operations. The virus can delete or corrupt files and data on your computer. They are spread by using your e-mail programs. They are most easily spread by e-mail attachments. Because attachments can be unsafe, you should only open ones that you know are safe. In order for a virus to make a copy of itsself it must be able to write to memory and execute code. In able to do this most viruses are part of real files that may be a part of a legitimate program. If this program is executed then the virus's code might be executed and therefore copying the virus.

=Consequences of Computer Crime:= One case involving computer crimes was US v. Smith. The guilty man released a computer virus that caused a total of $80 million in damage to computers everyware. He received a 20 month scentence in a federal prison and a $5,000 fine. Smith pleaded guilty in a federal court for intentionaly spreading a virus with the intent of causing damage. The charge has a maximum scentence of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Smith was scentenced with 46-57 months in prison, but the judge accepted the governments recomendation of lowering the scentence.

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