The (UK) Computer misuse Act could ban distribution of security tools.
So,
just as security is becoming more mainstream and IT people now know no “waving dead chickens over the keyboard” are involved in IT security the UK government have decided to add extra chapters to the famous CMA (Computer Misuse Act). The Act dates back to 1990 and is the UK’s anti-hacking/cyber crime law.
It has introduced a “Denial of Service” paragraph making DoS an offence, which is nice. But…..Distribution of hacking tools (Referred to as Articles in the act), may also be an offence. So YOU could be locked up if you are aUK resident and download WebScarab or NMAP!!!
Also I suppose hosting copies of these tools for download is an offence as well…..
Security by obscurity:
That’s what this law shall enact. It shall in effect put the UK into the Stone Age from a security standpoint as this prohibition shall stifle research and also remove pressure on vendors of IT products to produce good quality output……
Useless law in physical boarded world on a world without boarders:
Seems to me this law is not thinking about its implications….The good guys will also suffer and anyone outside the UK wont give a dam….the internet has no boarders. Stupid laws such as this one do which affects every one residing inside that region, making them weak and unable to defend against individuals who don’t fall within the UK jurisdiction.
See:
“Making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in computer misuse offences”
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/ukpga_20060048_en.pdf
cya, EK