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Computer Law/hacking email password

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Expert: Chris Wagoner - 10/21/2007


Question
QUESTION: is it against the law to hack into someones personal email account?

ANSWER: Yes. Its a Felony in Florida and most other states.

Almost all states have their own version of this, but here is Florida:

815.06  Offenses against computer users.--

(1)  Whoever willfully, knowingly, and without authorization:

(a)  Accesses or causes to be accessed any computer, computer system, or computer network;

(2)(a)  Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), whoever violates subsection (1) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

A e-mail system is considered a network for these statues. So accessing someones personal e-mail account without their permission is a Felony in Florida. Punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Just a FYI, even just getting on someones computer without their permission is the same. Or accessing someones wireless network, without permission to use it to access the Internet (which happens allot).

I hope this answers your question. If you have any others feel free to ask.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Does California have this law?
What if you are trying to hack to get proof of spouse cheating?

Answer
Yes. California Penal Code 502. Its basically the exact same thing.

And yes it pertains to accessing anyones account. Even though they are a spouse, they still have the expectation of privacy on some things. E-mail being one of those.

Here is the Cal Penal Code:http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=9999962321+0+0+0&WAISaction

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning Computer Crime Investigations and Internet investigations including Computer Crime Laws both at the State level and Federal level. I can answer questions on almost any crime in which a computer is used. In addition I can answer questions concerning copywrite infringement (peer to peer, and copying). I served as a police Commander and conducted and still conduct Computer Crime Investigations at the Local, State and Federal level. I have investigated all most any kind of crime with which or which involved a computer and the internet, from murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug dealing and more. I can answer questions concerning Computer Forensics (the art of recovering information from a suspects computer), Computer Crime Investigations and Internet Investigations. I am a Federally Court Recognized Expert in Computer Crime and Computer Forensics. I have worked in both Facebook and MySPace, also in Peer to Peer investigations. In addition I can answer questions concerning child predators and how to make your children safer on-line. I teach Computer Forensics, Internet Investigations, Peer to Peer Investigations and other computer crime related subjects for several colleges and the Institute of Police Technology and Management. My hobby webpage - Military Videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487

Experience

I conduct computer crime investigations in conjunction with the F.B.I., Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, and University of Florida Police Department, Levi County Sheriff’s Office, Starke Police Department and other agencies in the North Florida Court District. I provide the forensic data recovery services for those agencies as well as internet tracing and information gathering. I am a Federal Court Certified Expert in Computer Crime Investigations and Forensics. I teach Computer Forensics for the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. I also teach Computer Crime courses for Tallahassee Community College, Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Training Center. Associate Instructor; teach Computer Crime courses thorough out the world for IPTM. Presently Teach Cyber Crime Investigations, Computer Crime Investigations and Computer Forensic Data Recovery Course.

Education/Credentials
2 Degrees in Criminal Justice, now teach college level Data Forensics classes

Awards and Honors
Awarded the FBI Directors Award for assisting the FBI in a National Computer Crime Investigation. Awarded Dec 2002

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