In: Computer Science
What should be the penalty for those who create viruses, worms, and other destructive
malware? Prison time? Monetary fines? How should it be enforced? And would this deter
attackers?
Answer)
People who create destructive malware, virus, worms may or not be
at fault as they may or may not use these for live purposes in the
real world and thus they may not attack using these. The people who
use these destructive mechanisms and malware to do destructive work
and attack computers and networks and plant the worms and other
destructive malware should be punished as per the cyber laws and
the laws of the country.
To start with the first time and depending on the damage done they can be charged and then let go off with a hefty fine or penalty. Repeat offendors should be charged penalty heavily and also should include prison time. The repeat offenders depending on the case can also be charged and judged by spending mandatory prison time for a period. Thus this should be enforced by the countries and also by the international bodies who look after cybersecurity. Thus every country should have cyber laws that are necessary to punish the guilty in such cases and thus prevent these types of events. This would surely deter and discourage the attackers based on the prison time and also monetary fines imposition.