Sec. 324.002. DEFINITIONS    


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  • In this chapter:

    (1) "Advertisement" means a communication that includes the promotion of a commercial product or service, including communication on an Internet website operated for a commercial purpose.

    (1-a) "Botnet" means a collection of two or more zombies.

    (2) "Computer software" means a sequence of instructions written in a programming language that is executed on a computer. The term does not include:

    (A) a web page; or

    (B) a data component of a web page that cannot be executed independently of that page.

    (3) "Damage," with respect to a computer, means significant impairment to the integrity or availability of data, computer software, a system, or information.

    (4) "Execute," with respect to computer software, means to perform a function or carry out instructions.

    (5) "Keystroke-logging function" means a function of a computer software program that:

    (A) records all keystrokes made by a person using a computer; and

    (B) transfers that information from the computer to another person.

    (6) "Owner or operator of a computer" means the owner or lessee of a computer or an individual using a computer with the authorization of the owner or lessee of the computer. The phrase "owner of a computer," with respect to a computer sold at retail, does not include a person who owned the computer before the date on which the computer was sold.

    (7) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other organization, or a combination of those organizations.

    (8) "Personally identifiable information," with respect to an individual who is the owner or operator of a computer, means:

    (A) a first name or first initial in combination with a last name;

    (B) a home or other physical address, including street name;

    (C) an electronic mail address;

    (D) a credit or debit card number;

    (E) a bank account number;

    (F) a password or access code associated with a credit or debit card or bank account;

    (G) a social security number, tax identification number, driver's license number, passport number, or other government-issued identification number; or

    (H) any of the following information if the information alone or in combination with other information personally identifies the individual:

    (i) account balances;

    (ii) overdraft history; or

    (iii) payment history.

    (9) "Zombie" means a computer that, without the knowledge and consent of the computer's owner or operator, has been compromised to give access or control to a program or person other than the computer's owner or operator.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 885 , Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 718 , Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.