I read an interesting article today with information that anyone with a computer really needs to have.

Tech Republic has great information for computer owners, period, but 10 Ways You Might Be Breaking the Law With Your Computer is a must read.

Here is a short recap, but don’t settle for this. There’s much more!

Legislation affecting the use of the internet is popping up everywhere at all levels. You might be violating a law without even knowing it.

1. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA): The DMCA makes it a criminal offense to circumvent any kind of copy protection.

2. No Electronic Theft (NET) Act: The NET Act made copyright infringement a federal criminal offense.

3. Court rulings regarding border searches: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the right of Customs officers to search laptops and other digital devices at border crossings.

4. State laws regarding access to networks: There are now criminal laws that prohibit accessing a computer or network without the owner?s permission.

5. Tools of a crime? laws: Some states now have laws that make it a crime to possess a criminal instrument – a tool used to commit a crime.

There are five more – go read this article!