Reading
Questions
Reading 2/3:
Read the following passage and choose the correct answer for each question.
Be Web Wise
We're always being urged to stay safe online. But in an era where the Internet is part of our everyday lives for work, fun, study, shopping, even managing finances, and it's not always easy to spot the dangers. Web safety expert, Amanda Knox, explores some of the issues lurking in cyberspace.
Her first piece of advice is to install software and a firewall to protect your computer from viruses, hackers, and criminals who want to steal your data or financial information. "Think of these
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as your first line of defense," says Amanda.So much for protecting yourself against intruders, but what about other problems? Say you've accidentally deleted an important file, or you've been at the mercy of a natural disaster. Katy Marsh runs an online photography business from home and when a fire destroyed part of her house. It could easily have spelled ruin for her business too. "Luckily, I keep a regular backup of
my data, so it wasn't a catastrophe.' Amanda advises while back-ups are good to have. We must ensure we protect our computers to start with.it seems we're laxer when it comes to looking out for ourselves, at least according to a recent web awareness survey. Web
Whilst most of us are aware of the need to protect our computers,safety specialists say better personal awareness is needed and this is due in part to the rise of 'Social Networking sites like 'Facebook' or 'Twitter', which allow us to connect with people around the world with similar interests and professional backgrounds. Chris Simpson, a computer programmer, learned the hard way. "I joined a free online networking group in the hope of making some professional contacts to help me find a new job. After a month, one of my online contacts invited me to take out a subscription to a club that promised access to a network of job recruiters. It turned out to be a waste of money. I ended up a laughingstock with my mates they couldn't believe that someone in my job could get taken in so easily." No wonder then that Amanda warns. "It's easy to get complacent and let our guard down when we meet someone with the same interests online."This brings us to other potential pitfalls. Are the people you meet online who they claim to be? Can you be sure the person you're chatting with is a 22-year-old Maths undergraduate from
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London and not someone merely masquerading as a student to win your trust? Khaled, a postgrad from Manchester University, quickly realized that it was unwise of him to post his phone number and email address in the public forum of an online academic discussion group. He was soon bombarded with unwanted emails and nuisance phone calls. Yet, it's astonishing how many highly educated people do this without considering the consequences that anyone in the world could use the information to make unwanted contact.
When networking and joining online communities it's better to be cautious about the amount of personal information you share. For example, it isn't always necessary to use your real name as a username when registering for a service. You could instead use a pseudonym or a name that doesn't give away your real identity to other users. And is it important to tell the world details about your school, college, or any local clubs you're a member of? Sometimes it pays to be a little vague and simply say something like 'I'm studying at college in Madrid at the moment
and I'm a member of a local tennis club'.
1) What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Tips for staying safe and avoiding danger in online activities B. Ways to recover from accidental file deletion or natural disasters
. The rise of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter C
D. The importance of online networking for professional success
2) According to Amanda, why is it important to have regular backups of your data?
A. To protect against viruses and hackers B. To recover from accidental file deletion or natural disasters
C. To avoid joining online networking groups
D. To make professional contacts
3) What can be inferred about the participants in the web awareness survey?
A. They are highly cautious about their online activities.B. They are generally unaware of the potential dangers in cyberspace.
Thay have ovnerienced a risa in online networking onnortunities
