California legal term
Computer contaminant in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Computer contaminant” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Computer contaminant” mean in California criminal law?
“Computer contaminant” means any set of computer instructions that are designed to modify, damage, destroy, record, or transmit information within a computer, computer system, or computer network without the intent or permission of the owner of the information. (Cal. Penal Code § 502)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.