Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. intrude (v.) [in-trood] – to enter or break in a property without permission
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. intrude (v.) [in-trood] – to enter or break in a property without permission
Example: The man was arrested for intruding the company’s building.
2. access (n.) [ak-ses] – the
right to enter or make use of something
Example: Only high officials were given access to the top secret files.
3. procure (v.) [proh-kyoor, pruh-] – to
get something by special effort
Example: The army procured
a special weapon after months of negotiations.
4. military (adj.) [mil-i-ter-ee] – pertaining
to members or activities relating to an army or any armed forces
Example: Weapons are made and bought by a country
for military purposes.
5. cautious (adj.) [kaw-shuhs] – careful
Example: People must be cautious when giving personal information over the internet.
Article
Read the text below.
Hackers successfully intruded NASA’s computer system 13
times in 2011, said Inspector General Paul Martin of NASA in his report to US
Congress.
In November, hackers using an IP
address from China entered the system of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL). The laboratory operates 23 spacecraft with active space missions,
including spacecraft that will go to Jupiter, Mars and Saturn.
After gaining access, the hackers took full control of the system. Important
files were copied, modified or deleted. New user accounts were made, while
employee accounts were used to further access different NASA systems. The
hackers also changed system logs to hide these activities.
In a separate hacker attack,
information from 150 employees was stolen. Martin reported NASA has been slow
in adding security to employee laptops.
Some unsecure laptops with data and codes for NASA programs have even
been stolen or lost.
Thousands of other security problems
were also discovered by NASA from 2010 to 2011. According to NASA, it is
making security changes as recommended by the report.
Hacking issues may be the reason why
the US Air Force cancelled plans to procure
iPads for storing and updating flight information. Some suggest the security
fears are because of GoodReader, a program in the iPad made by a Russian
developer. However, the Air Force denied this was the reason.
Other military and government branches, meanwhile, are being more cautious with their computer systems,
making sure to know which country each part of their hardware and software
comes from.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Is
technology a threat to security? Please explain your answer.
·
Would
you entrust personal information over the Internet? Why or why not?
Discussion B
·
Should
hacking be considered a crime? Why or why not?
·
Do
you think hacking has any advantages? If yes, in what ways? If no, why?
