1. the practice of hacking into telephone networks to make free calls or access restricted services
Usage: informal; dated; primarily 1970s–1990s

1. to hack into or manipulate telephone systems illegally
Usage: informal; dated; primarily 1970s–1990s

Examples

• Phreaking was a common form of computer crime in the early days of telecommunications.
• Early hackers engaged in phreaking to bypass long-distance charges.
• The documentary explored how phreakers used blue boxes to manipulate telephone signals.
• Phone companies had to upgrade security systems to prevent phreaking.
• Some of the first computer hackers started their careers by phreaking telephone networks.