Computers around the world have taken one step closer to accessing the Internet without fear of viruses. That’s because Japan has decided to take a hardnosed perspective at fighting cybercrime. As Japan paves the way for other developed nations, it is likely that hackers will face stiffer sentences for wreaking havoc on the Internet.

Japan Takes Cybercrimes Seriously

A vast majority of members in the Japanese House of Councillors voted to make several actions punishable by fines and prison time. Cybercriminals caught making viruses could get three years of jail time. The laws also apply to those caught sending pornographic spam.

If convicted, the new law doesn’t require cybercriminals to spend time in jail. They can opt to pay fines that are equivalent to US$6,200.

Jail Time and Fines

While this law makes it easier for officials in Japan to prosecute cybercriminals, it hardly prevents them from participating in shady activities. US$6,200, for instance, is just a small drop in the bucket for a successful hacker that knows how to access bank accounts and earn money from spam. Stiffer fines or required jail time would have made it much more risky for individuals to participate in criminal activities.

Privacy advocates also worry that that the new law could make it easier for the government to infringe upon the rights of individuals.

Still, this is definitely a step in the right direction that other countries should pay close attention to. Technology evolves more rapidly than laws, so it is the responsibility of the world’s leading governments to keep pace with changes and recognize new ways that criminals are using technology to take advantage of their victims.

What law would you pass to protect innocent Internet users from cybercriminals?