- Defined protected computer
- Re-arranged damage provisions
- Removed monetary threshold
- Doubled punishment
- Defined loss
USA PATRIOT Act
The passage of the USA PATRIOT Act effected several changes to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. One was the explicit inclusion of computers located outside the United States within the definition of protected computer, as discussed previously. Additionally, the monetary threshold for damage affecting a Government computer used in the administration of justice, national defense, or national security was removed. Finally, a definition for "loss" was added. Many other smaller changes were made as well.