By The Associated Press Special to CNET News.com September 27, 2000, 9:20 p.m. PT SACRAMENTO--Computer hackers who intentionally spread computer viruses will soon face harsher penalties under a bill signed today by California Gov. Gray Davis. The bill, by Assemblyman Rico Oller, R-San Andreas, is aimed at Internet hackers who introduce viruses online or who flood commercial Web sites with useless information, causing them to shut down. Those convicted of unleashing a virus into a computer system face up to a $5,000 fine for the first conviction. If the virus causes more than $10,000 in damages, the violator will face up to three years in state prison. Currently, introducing a virus is treated as an infraction with a $250 fine. Oller said California is the "hub of the computerized world...we are taking the lead in protecting new technology from those who use it for criminal purposes." Victims of identity theft will be able to join a registry to help them clear their name and their credit, under another bill signed by Davis. Identity thieves steal Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or other personnel data to establish fraudulent credit lines, write bad checks or clean out the victim's bank accounts. Under the bill by Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, D-Martinez, the victim will enter his or her name in the state database after obtaining a court order. The list will be used to prove that the victim wasn't the person responsible for the bad debts. http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-2883141.html?tag=st.ne.1002.thed.ni to unsubscribe send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] to subscribe send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] more good stuff at http://theMezz.com/alerts ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics