The common name for the crime of stealing passwords is____________?

The correct answer is Spoofing because public service examination keys define password collection via deceptive identity mimicry under this security term.

• Spoofing: This is the correct choice. In standard banking and basic computer awareness exams, spoofing (specifically through lookalike login interfaces or email phishing architectures) is classified as the primary mechanism used to trick users into revealing secret credentials.


• Incorrect Options:
  
  
  
  • Identity theft: This is incorrect. This is a much broader crime where an attacker uses a victim's personal data (like a national ID or credit score) to commit fraud; password theft is merely a small component of this.
  
  
  • Hacking: This is incorrect. While it involves unauthorized access, standard exam frameworks distinguish the targeted collection of credentials from broad system intrusion.