Using Firesheep is illegal in the US, UK, and most of the world

Using Firesheep is illegal in the US, UK, and most of the world

Filed under: Security, Browsers

One thing that many sites have glossed over is the inherent illegality of using Firesheep. "Go on! Try it! It's cool!" -- yes, it is shockingly cool, but if you use it on a public network you are breaking the law.

In general, the interception of any communication -- digital or otherwise -- is prohibited by law. Government agencies are the only exception and even then a warrant is usually required. Firesheep, by intercepting digital communication and re-routing it to your Web browser is a wiretap. Unless you're trying to crack the local organized crime racket and you have a warrant in your pocket, you are breaking the law.

It gets worse, though. If, after intercepting another user's cookie, you then decide to log into their Facebook or Twitter account, you start stepping on anti-hacking laws. Most Western World countries have laws that protect against unauthorized access to systems and networks. The US has the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (and the PATRIOT Act), the UK has the Computer Misuse Act, Germany has 202c -- and so on.

Basically, unless you are using Firesheep on your local, privately-owned network, you are breaking the law. Don't get me wrong: the police are not going to descend upon the local coffee shop and arrest everyone -- but if you accidentally stumble across some sensitive data you might find yourself in a lot of trouble, and in jail.

Using Firesheep is illegal in the US, UK, and most of the world originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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