MP calls for tougher DoS legislation

Labour's Tom Harris appealed for specific laws forbidding Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.

Harris criticise the idea of script kiddies committing computer crime and appealed for tougher sentences.

"Those who regularly and increasingly hold website operators to ransom are more likely to be members of an organised crime syndicate than the school computer club," said Harris.

"This is an issue that up until now has not been taken seriously enough. So much of the UK economy depends on the internet and so many services are vulnerable if we allow these attackers to go unpunished," Harris continued. "It's time we faced up to this new threat."

The move has been welcomed by the All Party Internet Group (Apig), a cross party group of MP's who tackle internet legalities.

"We hope the government adopts the measures proposed in this Bill as a matter of urgency, reflecting the significant threat that cybercrime poses to the UK," said Derek Wyatt, head of Apig.

In March SC Magazine reported Wyatt called for amendments to the Computer Misuse Act. The move would bring UK law in line with the European Convention on Cybercrime and increase penalties for hacking offences.