I let some one use my computer and they used it for what I think is illegal stuff am I responsible?

Question

They used my computer but their yahoo email account. The scrren name was not registered to my account . I did not know they were going to do this. When I ask them why they did it, they said so it couldn't be traced back to them. The Yahoo ID was a fake. What do I do? I told them if I got into trouble I was going to give the authorities their name. They said, "you have to prove it was me". Nice Friend?

Answer 1

Based on your question, you have already answered the question of am I responsible for the illegal action. According to your info, they used your computer but there yahoo email account. The screen name was not registered to your account. What could possibly be done illegal that would involve tracking an individual email account back from a supposed fake ID. The ID they authenticated with is going to tied to the same email address they did the activity from correct???

Which brings me to my next point, all these posts of laws and blah, blah, blah are all garbage. These people that are answering this question have no idea how the law works for your jurisdiction or state for one.

Also if it was something illegal and that detrimental, they only have corroborative evidence which is not feasible in any court. It does build for supporting evidence but they must prove you logged in, you were physically at that machine, and caught you in the act.

Perfect example Dateline on NBC. Where those people get in trouble when meeting minors and talk to them explicitly is not by there actions on line. Because that is just corroborative evidence, it's when they show up to the girl's house and caught on camera, shown logs and if there lucky confess to there actions. Even then if one gets caught and pleads not guilty they can be sentenced for jail time, but they are not classified as a sexual predator to minors like the ones who plead guilty.

There is no way you are in any type of danger from your friends stupid escapade because it sounds like typical, let me make up some story that I am doing something illegal from your computer to show off. If someone is doing something illegal from your computer, they are not going to notify you for one, and you still won't be held responsible unless they can pin you by physically saying you were in that chair at x time, logged in at x time, communicating at x time.

I hope this puts your mind at ease and maybe it's time to pick friends who are honest and don't make up stories to make themselves to be cool.

V/R,
Network Security Engineer

Answer 2

If the activity is illegal, and you know this, you might want to report it. That is called being an accessory after the fact. (punishable by law) If you are not sure, ask. If your friend would actually do something like that, and tell you to your face, I would probably let him/her know that you will dime him out. Friendship is cool, but Jamal and Jesus won't be so understanding in the prison shower.

Answer 3

Don't worry about it, unless it was a high crime. In order for the police to find you, first they have to get a warrent from a judge, then have to go to your internet service provider, and only then, can they tell the authorities, your name and address. If it was just a silly little prank, I don't think they would go through all that trouble, just for something that would not mount to anything.
Good Luck..

Answer 4

You could be held accountable for it yes. every computer has it's own address that can be traced back to it's owner.My suggestion would be not to let anyone use your computer, or monitor their viewing of it by being there physically
If you do not have any real proof of what they did then there is not much you can do about it.

Answer 5

Kelly,

It's in your possession so yes you're liable for anything that happened on your/that computer. Learn to choose your friends better they sound like aholes.

Answer 6

Scum....learn to choose your friends better.

Answer 7

Of course you are not responsiple you didn't do it