Really? Apart from France, do most countries prosecute the author of computer/hacking tools? I was under the impression that the use of the tools is what matter

Really? Apart from France, do most countries prosecute the author of computer/hacking tools? I was under the impression that the use of the tools is what mattered. Just like BitTorrent itself has been fine, but any hints of using it for copyright infringement get fire. After all, you could use this malware to spy on your child's use of your PC, which is legal, right?