hack into

Meaning

To gain unauthorized access to a computer system, database, or digital account, usually by bypassing security measures, cracking passwords, or exploiting vulnerabilities.

Examples

• Someone tried to hack into my email account from another country.

  Someone tried to hack into my email account from another country.

• The company's database was hacked into, exposing customer passwords.

  The company's database was hacked into, exposing customer passwords.

• It is surprisingly easy to hack into public Wi-Fi networks if they aren't secure.

  It is surprisingly easy to hack into public Wi-Fi networks if they aren't secure.

• He was arrested for attempting to hack into government servers.

  He was arrested for attempting to hack into government servers.

• Two-factor authentication makes it much harder for thieves to hack into your accounts.

  Two-factor authentication makes it much harder for thieves to hack into your accounts.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Cybercriminals hacked my system.

  ✓ Cybercriminals hacked into my system.

  While 'hacked my system' is sometimes heard, 'hack into' is the standard phrasal verb used when specifying the target database, system, or account.

• ✗ They hacked in my phone.

  ✓ They hacked into my phone.

  The correct preposition to use with 'hack' to indicate penetration of a system is 'into', not 'in'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Use a strong password so no one can ___ your bank account.

  💡 Gain unauthorized access.

  Show answer

  hack into

• A group of cybercriminals managed to ___ the corporate network.

  💡 Breach the security of.

  Show answer

  hack into