阅读训练

Windows XP Security Bug Very Serious

A software glitch with Windows XP, Microsoft's new flagship1 operating system,leaves users in unprecedented danger according to the company's own security experts.Some older versions of Windows may also be affected.

The hole is in a service called Universal Plug and Play, which comes as standard with Windows XP. The bug2 allows a malicious hacker to gain complete control over a computer. UPnP is intended to allow a PC to control a broad range of hardware, including the latest home appliances. UPnP can also be added to Windows 98, 98SE and ME.

Microsoft representatives say that the fault poses an unprecedented risk because a user is vulnerable as soon as they connect to the Internet — no other action is required. The company has recommended that all users running UPnP download and install a new patch immediately.

Microsoft touted Windows XP as its most secure operating system3 ever when the software was launched worldwide on 25 October. The company estimates that it has sold over seven million copies of the platform since then. Spokesman Jim Desler said:“We are in the process of notifying our customers. We have mobilized all of our technical account managers worldwide who work with big clients and we have a very broad email list for email notification. ”

There are two sides to the UPnP flaw. The first could allow the hacker to break into a Windows system and run any programs or code they choose by sending a specially designed network message. The second might enable the hacker to overload a Windows machine and prevent it from functioning properly. This can be achieved by sending similarly customised network messages repeatedly.

The hole was discovered by Riley Hassell of US security company eEye Digital Security. In his advisory, Hassell hints that there may be further problems with the UPnP service. The US government-sponsored computer monitoring service, the Computer Emergency Response Team has also issued an open warning to computer users about the problem.

练习题：

Ⅰ. Find synonyms for the following words from the passage:

1. fault

2. work

3. a lot of

4. suggestion

Ⅱ. Questions :

Who, Jim Desler or Riley Hassell, works for Microsoft?

参考答案

Ⅰ. 1. glitch / bug / hole / flaw 2. function 3. a broad range of 4 . advisory

Ⅱ. Jim Desler.

参考译文

视窗XP 安全缺陷非常严重

据微软公司安全问题专家介绍, 新王牌操作系统即视窗X P 有软件缺陷, 该缺陷可使用户处于空前的危险之中。一些旧版的视窗也可能受到影响。

该漏洞在一种叫做“ 通用即插即用”的服务功能上, 它符合视窗XP 的标准。该缺陷可使恶意的黑客完全控制安装此软件的计算机。开发“ 通用即插即用”的功能是为了能使计算机控制多种硬件, 包括最新的家用电器。该软件还可以添置到视窗98 、98 第二版和千禧版上。

微软代表说, 因为不需采取其他行动, 只要该软件用户连到因特网上就可能受害, 所以该缺陷造成的危险是空前的。所有使用这种“ 通用即插即用”的用户应立即下载和安装一种新的修正软件。

微软曾扬言视窗XP 是它最安全的操作系统, 自从2001 年10 月25 日在全世界推出该软件后, 该公司估计已售出700 多万套。

公司发言人吉姆· 德斯勒说:“ 我们正在通知客户, 我们已经动员了公司遍布全世界为大客户服务的技术项目经理, 还向大量的邮址发出了电子邮件通知。”

“ 通用即插即用”的缺陷有两个方面。一是黑客如果输入一种特别编制的网络信息可强行闯入一种视窗系统, 操纵任何程序和编码。其二是黑客可以让装有视窗的电脑超负荷, 使该机功能失常。用反复输入类似定制网络信息的方法就可达此目的。

该缺陷是由美国电眼数字安全公司的赖利· 哈索尔发现的。他在报告中暗示“ 通用即插即用”可能还有更多的问题。
美国政府资助的计算机监测部门即计算机应急小组也已发出公开警告, 告诫计算机用户关注这一问题。

阅读解释

1. flagship n. 旗舰; ( 比喻) 同类事物中最优秀或最重要的一个。联想: battleship ( 战列舰) ;frigate ( 护卫舰, 巡航舰) ; destroyer ( 驱逐舰) ; cruiser ( 巡洋舰) ; aircraft carrier ( 航空母舰) ; submarine ( 潜艇) ; icebreaker ( 破冰船, 打破沉默、僵局的事或人) ; oil tanker ( 油轮) ; containership ( 集装箱船) 。

2. bug n. ①〔英国〕臭虫;〔美口〕虫, 昆虫。如: a lighting bug ( 萤火虫) ②〔口语〕微生物,病菌。③ ( 机器、设计等的) 小缺陷, 瑕疵。④ 癖, 狂, 迷, 热衷于( 某事) 者。a sports carbug ( 赛车迷) ; a bug on education ( 热衷于教育事业的人) 。⑤ ( 电学) 故障, 损坏; 干扰;〔俚语〕雷达位置测定[ 指示] 器; 半自动发报键, 电键。⑥ 窃听器; 暗设报警器。⑦ 星号。⑧ 小型汽车。

3. 操作系统。目前在世界上使用最多的是微软的视窗系统, 面向大多数个人用户。除此之外还有UNIX ( 网络的服务器一般采用), LINUX ( 源代码开放的操作系统, 中国为了保障自己的信息安全而大力提倡自己修改后使用的版本), MACINTOSH ( 苹果公司专为苹果电脑开发的个人操作系统, 全球范围内唯一能和微软视窗竞争的版本) 。