Computers Without Screen Savers Cannot Be Protected?

Managing Editor Lee Se-mok

churrasco23@naver.com

Recently many people were shocked by a case related to computer security. Most computer users care a lot about computer access security, but there are times when people forget to set a screen saver on their computer or laptop. In this case, it was announced that if someone steals information from the computer while the owner was not around the computer it will not be considered a crime if electronic records are stolen.

This information was re-examined through a case this month. The beginning of the case starts with the perpetrator secretly installing a hacking program on his co-worker's laptop. Through the hacking program, he found out his co-worker's ID and passwords for SNS pages such as Kakao Talk and Google. He downloaded more than 40 conversations, messages, and photos. The owner of the laptop realized he had been hacked and reported it to the police.

The prosecutors sentenced the perpetrator to two years in prison. However, the Supreme Court announced that a devices is not considered sealed if the owner has not set up a screen saver and therefore it cannot be considered a violation of the rules. In other words, the Supreme Court only made a conclusion as to the violation of privacy, but no other violations.