CRIMINAL LAW REFERS to laws that the federal and state governments have created to define unacceptable behavior. People who violate society’s acceptable levels of behavior commit crimes. Criminal law deals with crimes, whereas tort law refers to wrongful acts or harm for which an individual can sue the person who caused the harm. Tort law governs disputes between individuals.

This chapter focuses on criminal and tort law issues that are unique to cyberspace. In particular, it focuses on how people can use computers in cybercrime activities. It also reviews how people use computers to commit torts. Sometimes both criminal and tort law actions can be carried out against the same individual for the same actions.