Technology Computer Crime Programs

usdoj.gov, Apr 21, 2006

The National Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 1996

In October 1996, the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 1996 was enacted as part of Public Law 104-294. It amended the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which is codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1030. Below you will find links to the amended version of 18 U.S.C. § 1030, as well as a legislative analysis, prepared by attorneys from the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.  This legislative analysis was incorporated into the Senate Committee on the Judiciary's Report on the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act.  The Senate Report is also linked below.

The Melissa Virus

The Melissa virus first appeared on the Internet in March of 1999.  It spread rapidly throughout computer systems in the United States and Europe.  It is estimated that the virus caused $80 million in damages to computers worldwide.  In the United States alone, the virus made its way through 1.2 million computers in one-fifth of the country's largest businesses.   David Smith pleaded guilty on December 9, 1999 to state and federal charges associated with his creation of the Melissa virus.

The Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) Units

As announced by Attorney General John Ashcroft on July 20, 2001, nine additional units are being added to a program called CHIP (Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property) that has proven successful in Northern California. That project demonstrated the benefits of a unit of prosecutors working closely with the FBI and other agencies to establish a relationship with the local high tech community and encourage them to refer cases to law enforcement. The new CHIP units are the next phase in the Department's ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and Intellectual Property theft. In 1991, the Department created what is now the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) in the Criminal Division. The CHIP team members will complement the highly trained network of prosecutors at CCIPS and the US Attorneys’ Offices.