The main anti-cracking law in the United Kingdom. It was enacted in response to the failed prosecution of two crackers, Schifreen and Gold. The Act was established with three main goals: (1) to prevent unauthorized access to computer systems; (2) to deter criminals from using computers to carry out their offenses; and (3) to prevent criminals from impairing or hindering access to data stored on a computer.

See Also: Computer; Gold, Steven, and Schifreen, Robert Case.