We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Security

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act?

Jessica Ellis
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 8,362
Share

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is a United States federal law prohibiting the unauthorized access or use of protected computers. Created by Congress in 1986 in response to the growing popularity of computers, the law has been subject to numerous modifications since its inception. Penalties for violating it are quite strict, with up to 20 years in jail possible for some violations.

The scope of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is limited to certain types of computers that the government deems worthy of protection. In the initial act, protection was limited mainly to computers intended for government use. Later provisions expanded this definition to include computers used by financial institutions and computer systems both inside the US and abroad that are used in interstate commerce and communication.

Courts have long wrangled over the vagueness the law displays in defining “unauthorized” or “authorized” use of a computer. Several important legal questions have been raised by this controversy, including at what point a former employee's authorization to use a computer system expires. Though case law has varied, it is generally held that authorization expires when the employee begins working for a rival company, and thus could use information garnered through a former employer's computer system to help one of its competitors. In one significant case, LVRC Holdings LLC v. Brekka, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out some earlier rulings to insist that authorization cannot be revoked while an employee remains working for the company, even if he or she uses obtained data to assist a competitive business.

In addition to protecting information, such as national security data or trade secrets, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act also protects against using a protected computer to commit fraud or unlawfully obtain items of value. This may include altering or deleting records or using information gained to commit fraud. Punishments for this type of violation may include up to five years in prison, fines, and seizure of any goods or items obtained through fraudulent activities.

The provisions of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act remain in constant flux, thanks to the ever-changing atmosphere of the computer world. When conceived in the 1980s, governments were only just beginning to use computers in daily activities, and the private sector had barely begun to glimpse the capacity of computer innovation. As rules and boundaries about privacy and protected information continue to shift, it is likely that the law will continue to see regular additions and alterations in the future.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Jessica Ellis
By Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis brings a unique perspective to her work as a writer for EasyTechJunkie. While passionate about drama and film, Jessica enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics, creating content that is both informative and engaging for readers.
Discussion Comments
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis...
Learn more
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-the-computer-fraud-and-abuse-act.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.