书城外语《21世纪大学英语》配套教材.阅读.1
23990700000034

第34章 Fo rword(4)

Computer users fed up with hacker attacks and other security threats that exploitholes in Microsoft software are increasingly turning to alternatives such as open sourceInternet browsers developed by Mozilla.

“ It??s reflective of a trend that we??ve seen over the last year with more web usersbecoming frustrated with the internet experience,”said Chris Hofmann of the MozillaFoundation,a non-profit group supported by Sun Microsystems,IBM and othercompanies backing as an alternative to Microsoft.

Much of that frustration has centered on Microsoft,which has been heavilycriticized for producing software vulnerable ( 易受攻击的) to hand virus writers.

Microsoft has responded with a series of patches designed to plug vulnerabilities in itsWindows operating system,Internet Explorer web browser and other software.

But computer owners are growing weary ( 厌倦的) of continuously updatingsoftware to protect against new threats. One incident last month enabled hackers togain access to web surfers??computers by taking advantage of vulnerabilities inMicrosoft??s browser.

Hackers could then install remote access Trojan programs that enabled them tocontrol a victim??s computer. The hackers could also install software to capture avictim??s keystrokes ( 键击,按键) to steal data such as bank account numbers andpasswords.

Mr . Hofmann hoped publicity stemming from Microsoft??s security woes wouldtranslate into a market share increase for Mozilla??s software,which includes the newhighly regarded Firefox Internet browser.

But Mozilla suffered a setback last week when it was forced to issue a softwarepatch to counter ( 反驳,反击,制止) a newly discovered vulnerability affecting itsinternet browsers.

Still,Mr . Hoffman said Microsoft??s security woes stem in part from the way itsbrowser has been integrated into Windows for user convenience. Security expertsagree that has made it easier for hackers to exploit computers running on Microsoftsoftware.

Others suggest Microsoft has been targeted by hackers and virus writers simplybecause more than 90 per cent of the world??s computers run on the software giant??soperating system.

Mozilla software is distributed with all major versions of Linux and Mr. Hofmannsaid he hoped to see his group??s browser preloaded on consumer PCs.

1. It can be inferred from the first two paragraphs that .

A. computer users are seeking alternatives to fight against hackers

B. Microsoft software is increasingly threatened by hackers

C. computer users no longer trust Microsoft

D. Microsoft is faced with the threat from Mozilla

2. It can be easily guessed that the word“ plug”in paragraph 3 means .

A. stop B. hit C. publicize D. fill

3. What can be inferred from Paragraph 6 ?

A. Mozilla was less vulnerable than Microsoft.

B. Mozilla could not avoid being attacked by hackers.

C. Mozilla was as vulnerable as Microsoft.

D. Computer users might switch to Mozilla to avoid being attacked by hackers.

4. What can we infer from the last three paragraphs?

A. Microsoft would be less vulnerable if its browser hadn??t been integrated intoWindows.

B. Microsoft software was more convenient for users than Mozilla software.

C. Mozilla software is more convenient for users than Microsoft software.

D. Mozilla software would be widely used by PC consumers.