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The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) primarily targets unauthorized access to computer systems. This legislation makes it a federal offense to access a computer without authorization, or to exceed authorized access, with the intention to commit fraud or other illegal activities. The act was enacted to protect computer systems and data from malicious activities, ensuring that individuals who unlawfully access these systems face legal consequences.

While intellectual property theft, corporate espionage, and data encryption regulations are important legal concepts, they are not the primary focus of the CFAA. Intellectual property theft generally falls under different statutes that specifically address copyright and trademark laws. Corporate espionage involves the theft of trade secrets and is typically covered by other federal and state laws. Data encryption regulations are related to privacy and security standards but do not directly align with the core purpose of the CFAA, which is to prevent and penalize unauthorized access to computing resources.