UK prosecutors have been given guidance on how to apply the changes to the Computer Misuse Act due to come into force soon.

Aimed at cracking down on hackers, the tougher legislation hopes to improve the likelihood of a conviction of individuals guilty of attacking IT systems.

A document issued by the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the creation of certain computer tools as one way to pin down a hacker.

But some concerns were raised since some of these tools also serve a legitimate use to check server systems for vulnerabilities.

But the Crown Prosecution Service advised prosecutors to be aware of this, saying in its document that some applications "have a dual use, and prosecutors need to ascertain that the subject has a criminal intent".

Struan Robertson, senior associate with law firm Pinsent Masons, told Computer World UK that computer security researchers "might find some comfort in this guidance" as it grants them an exemption of sorts as long as they do not exploit the tools for their own ends.