What is the term for unauthorized access to a computer system to obtain information?

Hacking is the term used to refer to unauthorized access to a computer system or network for the purpose of obtaining information or manipulating data. This act can involve bypassing security measures to gain entry, often with the intent of stealing sensitive data, such as personal information, financial records, or confidential documents. Hacking can take many forms, including gaining access to systems through vulnerabilities, exploiting software flaws, or using social engineering techniques to deceive individuals into providing access.

The other choices, while related to cybersecurity, do not accurately describe the act of unauthorized access for information retrieval. Phishing involves tricking individuals into providing personal information through fraudulent communications, which does not directly involve hacking the computer system itself. Malware refers to malicious software designed to harm or exploit systems, which might be a tool used in hacking but is not itself the act of accessing a system. Spamming consists of sending unsolicited messages, typically through email, and is unrelated to unauthorized access to systems for information gathering.