[gypsy_boots]

> he has been sentenced to 21 months in a federal prison for transmitting a command that caused damage without authorisation to a protected computer

I'm genuinely curious, is this the actual charge? What specific law did he break here?

[alt2319]

US Code 1030(a)(5)(A) - http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1030

Edit: He plead to I think a single count of the following 18:1030(a)(5)(A) and 18:1030(c)(4)(A)(i)(I) and (B)

http://www.leagle.com/decision/In%20FDCO%2020160411834/U.S.%...

[maxerickson]

Yes. It's from the famous CFAA.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1030

It's a perfectly reasonable principle to write into law, a password or key or whatever doesn't give an employee the right to damage the systems of their employer.

[merpnderp]

What if it's and accident?

[alt2319]

Then there's no criminal intent (mens rea) and the law doesn't apply.