EXERCISE 34:Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the answer to each of the question.
As computer use becomes more common, the need for security is more important than ever. One of the greatest security threats in the online world is computer hacking. Computer hacking is the unauthorized access to a computer or network of computers. Hackers are people who illegally enter systems. They may alter or delete information, steal private information, or spread viruses that can damage or destroy files. But how exactly can a hacker get into a system to do these things?
Most hackers use information called protocols that are built into computer software. These protocols allow computers to interact with one another. Protocols are sort of like computer police officers. When a computer connects to another system, the protocols check to see if the access is valid. The protocols can also determine how much information can be shared between the two systems. Hackers can manipulate the protocols to get unlimited access to a computer system.
In fact, just the act of entering a computer network is considered hacking. This is commonly called passive hacking. Passive hackers get a rush from just being able to access a challenging system like a bank or military network. Another kind of hacker tries to do damage to a system. After hacking into systems, these hackers release viruses or alter, delete, or take information. Known as active hackers, they are, by far, the more dangerous of the two.
The easiest way to protect a system is with a good password, Long and unusual passwords are harder for hackers to guess. For even greater security, some online services now use “password- plus” systems. In this case, users first put in a password and then put in a second code that changes after the user accesses the site. Users either have special cards or devices that show them the new code to use the next time. Even if a hacker steals the password, they won't have the code. Or if the hacker somehow gets the code, they still don't know the password.
(Adapted from Reading Challenge 2 by Casey Malarcher and Andrea Janzen)
Question 214: Which of the following could best describe the main idea of the passage?
- Computer security and hackers.
- Different types of hackers.
- What a hacker can damage in your computer.
- The way hackers access to a computer.
Question 215: The word "unauthorized" in the first paragraph mostly means .
A. optional B. illegal C. permissible D. compulsory
Question 216: The word "manipulate" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to .
A. require B. modify C. transform D. influence
Question 217: According to paragraph 2, which information is NOT true about protocols?
- Protocols are a set of rules controlling the way data is sent between computers.
- Protocols can try out whether they are legal to access another computer or not.
- The amount of shared information between two computers depends on the host computer.
- The data hackers can get from others' computers may be infinite.
Question 218: What does the phrase "the two" in paragraph 3 refer to________ ?
A. a bank and military network B. passive and active hackers
C. hackers and viruses C. systems and viruses
Question 219: The author mentioned in the third paragraph that active hackers are more dangerous because .
- they often get access to important networks like a bank or military.
- they implant viruses or steal private and other vital information in systems.
- they always remove all the data in the systems they hack.
- they can do many harmful things for the whole computer network system.
Question 220: As suggested in the last paragraph, what is the best way for computer users to prevent hackers?
- They should use a long and customary password so that hackers cannot guess.
- They should use different passwords for different accounts to access the sites.
- They should have an additional secret code to confirm for their access after putting a password.
- They should not use any code on online services to make sure that hackers have no chance to get your password.
Question 221: It is implied in the passage that .
- it is difficult to protect data from being stolen by hackers.
- not every hacker is harmful.
- hackers always damage the information in the host computer.
- online services have been improving their security system.
