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CS Professional · Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Cyber Security - Laws and Practice · Softwares and Software Security

A disgruntled software engineer at an Indian firm embeds code in the payroll system that will delete salary records if his own employee ID is removed from the HR database. The firm later loses data when he is dismissed. Which statement is correct?

The code is a logic bomb, because it executes destructive action when a set condition occurs. Deleting data in a computer resource without the owner's permission is an act penalised under the Information Technology Act, 2000, even by a former authorised insider, and no spreading or ransom is needed.

  1. AThe code is a logic bomb, and deliberately destroying data in a computer resource without permission can attract liability under the Information Technology Act, 2000Correct
  2. BThe code is a worm, since it deletes data, and the IT Act applies only if it spreads to other networks
  3. CThe code is spyware, and the IT Act does not cover insiders who had authorised access earlier
  4. DThe code is ransomware, and liability arises only if a payment was demanded

Explanation

Malicious code that activates on a condition, here removal of his ID, is a logic bomb. Destroying or deleting information in a computer resource without the owner's permission is a contravention under the IT Act, 2000 regardless of earlier access or ransom demand. Spread across networks is not required.

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