Knowingly accessing any computer used in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce without permission is a CFAA violation.

Knowingly accessing any computer used in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce without permission is a CFAA violation.

• A. Reading a book about cybersecurity
• B. Accessing a computer you own without permission
• C. Accessing a government computer with permission
• D. Knowingly accessing any computer used in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce without permission

Answer: (D)

Unauthorized access to computers that are involved in or affect interstate or foreign commerce is what the CFAA criminalizes when done knowingly and without permission. The statement matches this exact prohibition: it describes knowingly accessing a computer that plays a role in interstate or foreign commerce without authorization. The key elements—intent, lack of permission, and the broad protected computer scope—are all present, which is why this choice is correct. Reading a book about cybersecurity doesn’t involve accessing a computer. Accessing a computer you own without permission could be a violation only if you don’t have authorization for that specific access, but ownership isn’t itself a guarantee of CFAA coverage. Accessing a government computer with permission is clearly authorized, not a violation.

Unauthorized access to computers that are involved in or affect interstate or foreign commerce is what the CFAA criminalizes when done knowingly and without permission. The statement matches this exact prohibition: it describes knowingly accessing a computer that plays a role in interstate or foreign commerce without authorization. The key elements—intent, lack of permission, and the broad protected computer scope—are all present, which is why this choice is correct.

Reading a book about cybersecurity doesn’t involve accessing a computer. Accessing a computer you own without permission could be a violation only if you don’t have authorization for that specific access, but ownership isn’t itself a guarantee of CFAA coverage. Accessing a government computer with permission is clearly authorized, not a violation.