Note: Section 1030 was amended on October 26, 2001 by the USA PATRIOT anti-terrorism legislation. Updates will appear here shortly.
(a) Whoever--
(1) having knowingly accessed a computer without authorization or exceeding authorized access, and by means of such conduct having obtained information that has been determined by the United States Government pursuant to an Executive order or statute to require protection against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national defense or foreign relations, or any restricted data, as defined in paragraph y of section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, with reason to believe that such information so obtained could be used to the injury of the United States, or to the advantage of any foreign nation, willfully communicates, delivers, transmits, or causes to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted, or attempts to communicate, deliver, transmit or cause to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted the same to any person not entitled to receive it, or willfully retains the same and fails to deliver it to the officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive it;
(2) intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized access, and thereby obtains--
(A) information contained in a financial record of a financial institution, or of a card issuer as defined in section 1602(n) of title 15, or contained in a file of a consumer reporting agency on a consumer, as such terms are defined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.);
(B) information from any department or agency of the United States; or
(C) information from any protected computer if the conduct involved an interstate or foreign communication;
(3) intentionally, without authorization to access any nonpublic computer of a department or agency of the United States, accesses such a computer of that department or agency that is exclusively for the use of the Government of the United States or, in the case of a computer not exclusively for such use, is used by or for the Government of the United States and such conduct affects that use by or for the Government of the United States;
(4) knowingly and with intent to defraud, accesses a protected computer without authorization, or exceeds authorized access, and by means of such conduct furthers the intended fraud and obtains anything of value, unless the object of the fraud and the thing obtained consists only of the use of the computer and the value of such use is not more than $5,000 in any 1-year period;
(A) knowingly causes the transmission of a program, information, code, or command, and as a result of such conduct, intentionally causes damage without authorization, to a protected computer;
(B) intentionally accesses a protected computer without authorization, and as a result of such conduct, recklessly causes damage; or
(C) intentionally accesses a protected computer without authorization, and as a result of such conduct, causes damage;
(6) knowingly and with intent to defraud traffics (as defined in section 1029) in any password or similar information through which a computer may be accessed without authorization, if--
(A) such trafficking affects interstate or foreign commerce; or
(B) such computer is used by or for the Government of the United States;
(7) with intent to extort from any person, firm, association, educational institution, financial institution, government entity, or other legal entity, any money or other thing of value, transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to cause damage to a protected computer;
shall be punished as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(b) Whoever attempts to commit an offense under subsection (a) of this section shall be punished as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(c) The punishment for an offense under subsection (a) or (b) of this section is--
(1)
(A) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both, in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(1) of this section which does not occur after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and
(B) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both, in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(1) of this section which occurs after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and
(2)
(A) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(5)(C), or (a)(6) of this section which does not occur after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and
(B) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(2), if--
(i) the offense was committed for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain;
(ii) the offense was committed in furtherance of any criminal or tortious act in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States or of any State; or
(iii) the value of the information obtained exceeds $5,000;
(C) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both, in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(6) of this section which occurs after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and
(3)
(A) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(4), (a)(5)(A), (a)(5)(B), or (a)(7) of this section which does not occur after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and
(B) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both, in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(4), (a)(5)(A), (a)(5)(B), (a)(5)(C), or (a)(7)of this section which occurs after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and
[former paragraph (4) stricken effective Oct. 11, 1996].
(d) The United States Secret Service shall, in addition to any other agency having such authority, have the authority to investigate offenses under subsections (a)(2)(A), (a)(2)(B), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (a)(6) of this section. Such authority of the United States Secret Service shall be exercised in accordance with an agreement which shall be entered into by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General.
(e) As used in this section--
(1) the term "computer" means an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or storage functions, and includes any data storage facility or communications facility directly related to or operating in conjunction with such device, but such term does not include an automated typewriter or typesetter, a portable hand held calculator, or other similar device;
(2) the term "protected computer" means a computer--
(A) exclusively for the use of a financial institution or the United States Government, or, in the case of a computer not exclusively for such use, used by or for a financial institution or the United States Government and the conduct constituting the offense affects that use by or for the financial institution or the Government; or
(B) which is used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication;
(3) the term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any other commonwealth, possession or territory of the United States;
(4) the term "financial institution" means--
(A) an institution with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
(B) the Federal Reserve or a member of the Federal Reserve including any Federal Reserve Bank;
(C) a credit union with accounts insured by the National Credit Union Administration;
(D) a member of the Federal home loan bank system and any home loan bank;
(E) any institution of the Farm Credit System under the Farm Credit Act of 1971;
(F) a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(G) the Securities Investor Protection Corporation;
(H) a branch or agency of a foreign bank (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978); and
(I) an organization operating under section 25 or section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act. (5) the term "financial record" means information derived from any record held by a financial institution pertaining to a customer's relationship with the financial institution;
(6) the term "exceeds authorized access" means to access a computer with authorization and to use such access to obtain or alter information in the computer that the accesser is not entitled so to obtain or alter;
(7) the term "department of the United States" means the legislative or judicial branch of the Government or one of the executive departments enumerated in section 101 of title 5; and
(8) the term "damage" means any impairment to the integrity or availability of data, a program, a system, or information, that--
(A) causes loss aggregating at least $5,000 in value during any 1-year period to one or more individuals;
(B) modifies or impairs, or potentially modifies or impairs, the medical examination, diagnosis, treatment, or care of one or more individuals;
(C) causes physical injury to any person; or
(D) threatens public health or safety; and
(9) the term "government entity" includes the Government of the United States, any State or political subdivision of the United States, any foreign country, and any state, province, municipality, or other political subdivision of a foreign country.
(f) This section does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State, or of an intelligence agency of the United States.
(g) Any person who suffers damage or loss by reason of a violation of the section, may maintain a civil action against the violator to obtain compensatory damages and injunctive relief or other equitable relief. Damages for violations involving damage as defined in subsection (e)(8)(A) are limited to economic damages. No action may be brought under this subsection unless such action is begun within 2 years of the date of the act complained of or the date of the discovery of the damage.
(h) The Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury shall report to the Congress annually, during the first 3 years following the date of the enactment of this subsection, concerning investigations and prosecutions under section 1030(a)(5) of title 18, United States Code.
(Added Pub.L. 98-473, Title II, s 2102(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2190, and amended Pub.L. 99-474, s 2, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1213; Pub.L. 100-690, Title VII, s 7065, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4404; Pub.L. 101-73, Title IX, s 962(a)(5), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 502; Pub.L. 101-647, Title XII, s 1205(e), Title XXV, s 2597(j), Title XXXV, s 3533, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4831, 4910, 4925; Pub.L. 103-322, Title XXIX, s 290001(b)-(f), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2097-2099; Pub.L. 104-___, Title II, s 201, Oct. 11, 1996, ___ Stat. ___.)
Reference to "paragraph y of section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954", referred to in subsec. (a)(1) is classified to section 2014(y) of Title 42, Public Health and Welfare.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is Pub.L. 90- 321, Title VI, s 601 et seq., which is classified to section 1681 et seq. of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
The Farm Credit Act of 1971, referred to in subsec. (e)(4)(E), is Pub.L. 92- 181, Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 585, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (section 2001 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2001 of Title 12 and Tables.
Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, referred to in subsec. (e)(4)(F), is classified to section 78o of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
Section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (e)(4)(H), is classified to section 3101 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.
Section 25 of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(4)(I), is classified to subchapter I (section 601 et seq.) of chapter 6 of Title 12.
Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(4)(I), is classified to subchapter II (section 611 et seq.) of chapter 6 of Title 12. The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (h), means the date of the enactment of Pub.L. 103-322, 108 Stat. 1796, which enacted subsec. (h) and was approved Sept. 13, 1994.
Made extensive revisions to numerous subsections. Text of the enacting legislation is here.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 290001(f), inserted ''adversely'' before ''affects the use of the Government's''.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 290001(b), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows:
''intentionally accesses a Federal interest computer without authorization, and by means of one or more instances of such conduct alters, damages, or destroys information in any such Federal interest computer, or prevents authorized use of any such computer or information, and thereby -
''(A) causes loss to one or more others of a value aggregating $1,000 or more during any one year period; or
''(B) modifies or impairs, or potentially modifies or impairs, the medical examination, medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical care of one or more individuals; or''.
Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 290001(c)(2), inserted ''(A)'' after ''(a)(5)''.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 290001(c)(1), (3), (4), added par. (4).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 290001(d), added subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 290001(e), added subsec. (h).
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub.L. 101-647, s 3533, substituted "paragraph y of section 11" for "paragraph r of section 11".
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub.L. 101-647 inserted "commonwealth," before "possession or territory of the United States".
Subsec. (e)(4)(H), (I). Pub.L. 101-647, s 2597(j), added subpars. (H) and (I).
Subsec. (e)(4)(A). Pub.L. 101-73, s 962(a)(5)(A), substituted "an institution" for "a bank".
Subsec. (e)(4)(C) to (H). Pub.L. 101-73, s 962(a)(5)(B), (C), redesignated former subpars. (D) to (H) as (C) to (G), respectively, and struck out former subpar. (C), which had included within the definition of the term "financial institution" institutions with accounts insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub.L. 100-690 inserted a comma after "financial institution" and substituted "title 15," for "title 15,,".
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(c), substituted "or exceeds authorized access" for "or having accessed a computer with authorization, uses the opportunity such access provides for purposes to which such authorization does not extend".
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(a)(1)-(4), substituted "intentionally" for "knowingly"; struck out "as such terms are defined in the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.)," following "financial institution,"; struck out "or" appearing at end of par. (2); and added following "financial institution" the phrase "or of a card issuer as defined in section 1602(n) of title 15,". Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(c), substituted "or exceeds authorized access" for "or having accessed a computer with authorization, uses the opportunity such access provides for purposes to which such authorization does not extend".
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(b)(1), added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3) provision which read [Whoever--] "knowingly access a computer without authorization, or having accessed a computer with authorization, uses the opportunity such access provides for purposes to which such authorization does not extend, and by means of such conduct knowingly uses, modifies, destroys, or discloses information in, or prevents authorized use of, such computer, if such computer is operated for or on behalf of the Government of the United States and such conduct affects such operation; ", now covered in par. (5).
Subsec. (a)(3) end text. Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(b)(2), struck out following par. (3) sentence reading "It is not an offense under paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection in the case of a person having accessed a computer with authorization and using the opportunity such access provides for purposes to which such access does not extend, if the using of such opportunity consists only of the use of the computer.", now covered in subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(4)-(6). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(d), added pars. (4) to (6).
Subsec. (b). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(e)(1), (2), struck out par. (1) designation and par. (2) provision respecting specific conspiracy offense and prescribing as a fine an amount not greater than the amount provided as the maximum fine for such offense under subsec. (c) or imprisoned not longer than one-half the period provided as the maximum imprisonment for such offense under subsec. (c), or both.
Subsec. (c). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(f)(9), substituted in opening phrase subsec. "(b)" for "(b)(1)".
Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(f)(1), substituted "under this title" for "of not more than the greater of $10,000 or twice the value obtained by the offense".
Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(f)(2), substituted "under this title" for "of not more than the greater of $100,000 or twice the value obtained by the offense". Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(f)(3), (4), inserted reference to subsec. (a)(6) and substituted "under this title" for "of not more than the greater of $5,000 or twice the value obtained or loss created by the offense".
Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(f)(3), (5)-(7), inserted reference to subsec. (a)(6) and substituted "under this title" for "of not more than the greater of $10,000 or twice the value obtained or loss created by the offense", "not more than" for "not than", and "; and" for the period at end of subpar. (B), respectively.
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(f)(8), added par. (3).
Subsec. (e). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(g)(1), substituted at end of introductory phrase a one-em dash for the comma.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(g)(2), (3), aligned so much of the subsec. so that it be cut in two ems and begin as an indented and designated par. (1), and substituted a semicolon for the period at end thereof.
Subsec. (e)(2)-(7). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(g)(4), added pars. (2) to (7).
Subsec. (f). Pub.L. 99-474, s 2(h), added subsec. (f).
If any provision of Pub.L. 101-73 or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of Pub.L. 101-73 and the application of the provision to other persons not similarly situated or to other circumstances not to be affected thereby, see section 1221 of Pub.L. 101- 73, set out as a note under section 1811 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.
Section 2103 of Pub.L. 98-473 provided that: "The Attorney General shall report to the Congress annually, during the first three years following the date of the enactment of this joint resolution [Oct. 12, 1984], concerning prosecutions under the sections of title 18 of the United States Code added by this chapter [this section]."
For legislative history and purpose of Pub.L. 98-473, see 1984 U.S. Code Cong. and Adm. News, p. 3182. See, also, Pub.L. 99-646, 1986 U.S. Code Cong. and Adm. News, p. 6139; Pub.L. 101-73, 1989 U.S. Code Cong. and Adm. News, p. 86; Pub.L. 101-647, 1990 U.S. Code Cong. and Adm. News, p. 6472; Pub.L. 103-322, 1994 U.S. Code Cong. and Adm. News, p. 1801.