computer crime: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “computer crime” mean?
Criminal activity committed using computers or digital networks as the primary tool or target.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Criminal activity committed using computers or digital networks as the primary tool or target.
A category of offenses ranging from unauthorized system access (hacking), data theft, and fraud to cyberterrorism, often involving the compromise of digital systems, networks, or data for illicit gain, disruption, or damage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term identically. British English may slightly favour 'cybercrime' in official discourse, while American English uses both terms with equal frequency in legal/tech contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical/legal term in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, with a surge in usage since the 1990s.
Grammar
How to Use “computer crime” in a Sentence
commit [computer crime]be charged with [computer crime]fall victim to [computer crime]a wave of [computer crime]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “computer crime” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not commonly verbed. Use 'commit computer crime' or 'carry out computer crime']
American English
- [Not commonly verbed. Use 'perpetrate computer crime' or 'engage in computer crime']
adverb
British English
- [Not standard]
American English
- [Not standard]
adjective
British English
- The unit specialised in computer-crime investigations.
- He faced computer-crime charges.
American English
- The agency has a computer-crime division.
- She is a computer-crime prosecutor.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to threats like corporate espionage, fraud, or ransomware impacting operations and assets.
Academic
Studied in law, criminology, and computer science as a distinct category of illicit activity.
Everyday
Used in news reports about hacking, identity theft, or online scams affecting individuals.
Technical
Precise categorization in IT security, digital forensics, and legal statutes defining specific prohibited acts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “computer crime”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “computer crime”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “computer crime”
- Using it as a verb ('He computer-crimed the bank').
- Confusing it with 'computer error' or 'glitch', which are unintentional.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are largely synonymous in modern use. 'Cybercrime' is perhaps more contemporary and often emphasizes crimes conducted via the internet or cyberspace, while 'computer crime' can technically include crimes targeting standalone computers not networked to the internet.
Common types include fraud (e.g., online scams), identity theft, hacking into systems to steal or alter data, spreading malware/viruses, and denial-of-service attacks that overwhelm websites.
Yes, most jurisdictions have specific laws against unauthorized computer access, data theft, and cyber fraud, which carry penalties including significant fines and imprisonment.
It is typically investigated by specialised units within national police forces (e.g., the FBI's Cyber Division in the US, the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit in the UK) or dedicated cybercrime agencies.
Criminal activity committed using computers or digital networks as the primary tool or target.
Computer crime is usually formal, technical in register.
Computer crime: in British English it is pronounced /kəmˈpjuːtə kraɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəmˈpjuːt̬ɚ kraɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for this technical compound noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMPUTER (the tool) + CRIME (the act). It's a crime where the computer is the weapon, the scene, or the target.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIGITAL BURGLARY (breaking into systems), DIGITAL THEFT (stealing data), POLLUTION OF THE DIGITAL SPHERE (spreading malware).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be classified solely as a 'computer crime'?