3.3 Computer Crime - 3.3b Unauthorised Access To Data
3.3b Unauthorised Access To Data
Clearly much of the data which is stored electronically, should be kept confidential. It should not be issued to any unauthorised individual. For example, a patient's medical record may by all means be viewed by their doctor - but not by their employer.
The increased use of telecommunications and the computer, has put a lot of stored files of information at risk. It is easier for a "computer hacker" to hack into a large database and retrieve large amounts of information than if they "ha
cked" into a large manual filing cabinet!
It was recently discovered that a clever computer hacker had gained access to a whole database of medical data and eventually the records were on sale to the public!
The "Data Protection Act (1984)" was formed to prevent any information falling into the wrong hands. However, this cannot physically stop anyone from hacking into a bank to electronically transfer large amounts of money into their account.