Answer
The extent of the PC owner's liability can depend on whether they took reasonable precautions, such as installing proper firewalls, to prevent their computer from being used in malicious activities.
Work Step by Step
The liability of the PC owner in the scenario described can depend on various factors, including whether the owner took reasonable precautions to secure the computer and prevent it from being used in malicious activities. Installing proper firewalls is one of the measures that can contribute to securing a computer and mitigating the risk of it being involved in a denial of service attack.
If the PC owner took reasonable steps to secure the computer, such as installing firewalls and keeping software up to date, their liability may be reduced. In contrast, if the owner neglected basic security measures and failed to implement safeguards, they might bear a higher level of responsibility for the consequences.
It's important to consider the concept of "negligence" in such cases. If the PC owner can demonstrate that they exercised a reasonable standard of care in securing their system, their liability may be limited. However, if their negligence contributed to the misuse of the computer in a denial of service attack, they could potentially be held liable for damages.
