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I do believe that people that unleash these viruses are criminals. These viruses can damage expensive computer software and halt employee productivity (hence a financial loss). I think the world as a whole is still trying to figure out the realm of cybercrime. (Wasn't it a kid in the Philippines that reportedly started the "ILOVEYOU" virus? And he couldn't be prosecuted b/c that country did not have cyberlaws on the books?)
This is not meant to be fascicious at all. Rather, it was something that just came to my mind.
Just how do we prosecute these people? Do we create a whole new set of laws tailored to cybercrime, or do we rewrite existing laws to incorporate the computer world? (I believe the FBI has a cyber unit now, but in regards to any computer-specific laws, I admit my ignorance.)
And just what could we charge these people with? Perhaps armed robbery (because they're armed with a crippling virus and stealing money)? Destruction of property (because some of these viruses damage hardware)? Possibly treason (b/c if they hit a government site and cause a security breach, it could be considered a crime against the government)?
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