Bill would allow businesses to retaliate against hackers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The "hack back" bill was introduced last week to allow businesses to hack the hackers who've infiltrated their computer networks.

People log onto the internet, but when they do, they take a chance of being hacked.

"It's happened to friends and family,” University of North Carolina-Charlotte student William Boatwright said. “It makes you feel vulnerable and a little scared."

Some in Congress want to ride to the rescue, or at least allow citizens to do so by giving some the right to go after hackers who have hacked you.

Reporter Glenn Counts talked to a cyber expert at the UNCC about why it may not be the best idea.

"I've never gotten into a situation where I really wanted to get even, but I can imagine situations where people get really frustrated," a cybersecurity instructor at UNCC, Bill Chu, said.

The CIA and National Security Agency recruit people from Chu’s department at the university.

He said the theory behind hacking back is simple.

"Basically, it's an offensive cyberattack," Chu said.

The bill as written would allow hacking back within the U.S. and victims could only target their own information for retrieval or elimination. It would not be a license for a free-for-all.

"There are side effects when you do that and innocent people may be harmed," Chu said.

He believes the law would make cyberspace even more like the wild, Wild West than it already is.

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