18 U.S.C. Sec. 1030(A)(7)(B) Extortion by Threatening to Obtain Information from a Protected Computer is a federal law that prohibits an individual from intentionally threatening to obtain, alter, or destroy information on a protected computer or to otherwise cause harm to the computer’s owner or user in order to extort money or something else of value. This law applies to any computer or network connected to the Internet, as well as any computer or network used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication. There are two types of violations under this law: 1. Knowingly and willfully offering, providing, or receiving something of value in exchange for the threat to obtain, alter, or destroy information on a protected computer or to otherwise cause harm to the computer’s owner or user; and 2. Knowingly and willfully threatening to obtain, alter, or destroy information on a protected computer or to otherwise cause harm to the computer’s owner or user. The penalties for violating 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1030(A)(7)(B) Extortion by Threatening to Obtain Information from a Protected Computer can include fines, imprisonment of up to 20 years, and payment of restitution.