Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma signed a law amending the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of Ukraine regarding increased liability for crimes in the sphere of computer use (hacking). \n \nAccording to the presidential press service, in accordance with the amendments to the law, Article 361 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine has been set out in a new wording, according to which criminal liability will now arise for unauthorized interference in the operation of computers, automated systems, computer networks or telecommunications networks, which led to: leakage, loss, forgery, blocking of information, distortion of the information processing process, as well as violation of the established procedure for its routing. \n \nIn addition, the Criminal Code has been supplemented with new articles establishing liability for: creation for the purpose of use, distribution or sale of malicious software or technical means, as well as their distribution or sale (Article 361 part 1); unauthorized sale or distribution of restricted-access information stored in computers, automated systems, computer networks or on media of such information (Article 361 part 2) and obstruction of the operation of computers by mass distribution of telecommunications messages (Article 363 part 1). \n \nThe law also provides for the application to a person who has committed each of the above-mentioned crimes of confiscation of software or technical means by means of which the crime was committed and which are the property of the guilty person. \n \nAmendments to the Criminal Procedure Code will allow pre-trial investigation under the above-mentioned articles by investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine. The law enters into force on the day of its publication. \n \nBased on materials from IA "Novyny - Ukraina"