Legal Definitions - Counterfeit Access Device and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1984

The Counterfeit Access Device and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1984 is a law that makes it illegal to do certain things with computers. For example, it is illegal to access a computer system that belongs to a bank or the government without permission. It is also illegal to use that access to get something of value that you are not supposed to have.

Here are some examples of things that are illegal under this law:

• Logging into someone else's email account without their permission
• Using a computer virus to steal someone's personal information
• Breaking into a government computer system to steal classified information

These examples show how the law makes it illegal to use computers to do things that are not allowed. For example, logging into someone else's email account without their permission is like breaking into their house and reading their mail. Using a computer virus to steal personal information is like stealing someone's wallet. Breaking into a government computer system to steal classified information is like being a spy.