Data theft

Term used to describe when information is illegally copied or taken from a business or other individual. Commonly, this type of information is user information such as passwords, social security numbers, credit card information, other personal information, and/or other confidential corporate information. Because this information is illegally obtained, when the individual who stole this information is apprehended, it is likely he or she will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Also see: Hacker, Identity theft, Security definitions