steal information

USAGE SUMMARY

"steal information" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to describe someone taking someone else's information without their permission. For example, "The hacker attempted to steal information from the company's computer system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The longer you can stay inside and steal information unnoticed, the better.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the victim allows it to be installed, it will start to steal information from the phone.

The Guardian - Tech

By war's end, both sides had intelligence operations that routinely tapped one another's wires to steal information and send out deceptive messages.

The New York Times

He noted that their aims were not to cause permanent damage or to steal information from the sites and added: "The purpose was not commercial.

Independent

"One psychiatrist described his role as 'an outsider' and expressed frustration because, 'I have to beg, borrow and steal information,' " the report said.

The New York Times

Spies frequently break into computer systems to steal information by the warehouse load, whether it is from Google or defence contractors.

The Economist

It was the result of a nearly yearlong effort to hack into computers and steal information from hundreds of companies and individuals in several countries, the report said.

The New York Times

By buying the information, party officials say, the government benefits from a crime, and may encourage more people to steal information.

The New York Times

Those who waste their money on such fake security software ("scareware") finish up getting their computers thoroughly infected with key-loggers and Trojans that steal information.

The Economist

Installation is a nightmare, filled with dire warnings like "This product doesn't support Windows 98SE" (who asked?) and "Unsigned software may harm your computer or steal information" (yikes!).

The New York Times - Tech

Through what is known as a Structured Query Language (SQL) attack, a hacker can put code in a query box on a site and steal information.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more specific terms like "extract data" or "misappropriate data" if you want to emphasize the technical aspect of obtaining data versus the intent.

Common error

Be careful not to use "steal information" when "obtain information" is more appropriate. "Steal information" implies illegal or unethical behavior. If the acquisition of information is legitimate, use "obtain", "gather", or "collect" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steal information" functions as a verb phrase where "steal" is the verb and "information" is the direct object. It describes the action of illegally or unethically acquiring data. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a usable and correct phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steal information" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe the illicit acquisition of data. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts. The frequency analysis reveals its prevalence in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" sources, reflecting its widespread use in describing cybercrimes, espionage, and data breaches. When writing, ensure that "steal information" accurately reflects the unethical or illegal nature of the data acquisition, and consider using more precise alternatives like "extract data" or "misappropriate data" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illegally obtain data

Highlights the unlawful nature of acquiring data.

gain unauthorized access to data

Focuses on the act of accessing data without permission.

misappropriate data

Emphasizes the improper or unauthorized use of data.

secretly copy data

Emphasizes the covert nature of the data duplication.

acquire confidential information

Specifies that the information obtained is private and sensitive.

extract data

Focuses on the process of retrieving data, often without explicit mention of illegality.

compromise data

Highlights that the data is at risk due to a security breach.

pilfer data

Suggests a stealthy and surreptitious method of stealing data, often implying smaller amounts.

infiltrate systems for data

Focuses on the method of access, indicating a breach of security measures.

poach data

Suggests taking data from a competitor or rival.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "steal information"?

Alternatives include "extract data", "misappropriate data", or "illegally obtain data". The best choice depends on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "steal information"?

Use "steal information" when describing the unauthorized and unethical or illegal acquisition of data. This phrase is best used in contexts involving cybercrime, espionage, or corporate sabotage.

Is "steal information" a formal or informal phrase?

"Steal information" is a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, consider using more precise terms like "gain unauthorized access to data".

What is the difference between "steal information" and "copy information"?

"Steal information" implies taking information without permission, whereas "copy information" may or may not be unauthorized. If the copying is done secretly and against the owner's wishes, then "steal information" is the more accurate term.