A new UK law the Terrorism Act 2000 comes into force today, with intentions of preventing dissident political groups of using the UK as a base for terrorism and for the first time recognises the threat that hackers impose on computer systems.

The Act also includes a definition for actions of terrorism as seriously interfere with or seriously disrupt an electronic system, which means any actions that are intended to influence the government or intimidate the public.

This Act gives police much more authority over computer criminals as they are now able to hold suspects for up to 48 hours without a warrant.

The move has been brought about because of the increased activity of computer-related incidences caused by militant groups turning to the internet in order to stage their protests with people that call themselves hacktivists defacing more web pages in order to geth their political messages across.

Home Secretary Jack Straw also stated his intention by clamping down on those that exploit computer systems. Straw feels by implementing the Terrorism Act 2000 that the UK are making a very firm statement towards combatting terrorism.