Unauthorized access

Updated: 06/09/2020 by Computer Hope
Anonymous individual using a laptop.

Unauthorized access is when someone gains access to a website, program, server, service, or other system using someone else's account or other methods. For example, if someone kept guessing a password or username for an account that was not theirs until they gained access, it is considered unauthorized access.

Unauthorized access could also occur if a user attempts to access an area of a system they should not be accessing. When attempting to access that area, they would be denied access and possibly see an unauthorized access message.

Some system administrators set up alerts to let them know when there is an unauthorized access attempt, so that they may investigate the reason. These alerts help stop hackers from gaining access to a secure or confidential system. Many secure systems may also lock an account with too many failed login attempts.

Note

If you have gained unauthorized access to any account or service, it is considered illegal in all parts of the world.

Access, Computer crime, Forgot password, Security terms