Tracking down cybercriminals (网络罪犯) who steal credit card numbers, transfer money from other people’s accounts, or e-mail viruses around the world takes a knowledge of the technology used to commit the crimes. Instead of using fingerprints or following suspects, government agents painstakingly sort out the mess of numbers and symbols and letters that can lead them back through the computer system to the cybercriminals.
One such investigation led to the arrest of the man accused of sending the extremely dangerous Melissa virus, a computer virus that destroyed files in computers around the world in the spring of 1999. The agents received help from online service technicians, software experts, and a computer-science student. All helped to trace the complex pathways of the virus back to the telephone line and computer of the man who released it.
In another case, agents worked for two years to catch a cybercriminal who was, among other offenses, stealing credit card numbers. Agents found him by tracing a path from a computer he broke into to the mobile telephone he had used, which led to his address—and arrest.
The government agents are also working to block cybercriminals who could cut off power and confuse telephone companies. “Think of the consequences(后果) if the power went out for a week—not in just one town or city but down the whole East Coast,” says Michael Vatis, an FBI agent. From TVs to hospital equipment, all would fail.
Makaveli and TooShort were arrested for the charges of breaking into computers. They were given probation(假释), required to perform community service, and prevented from having home computers with modems (调制解调器). Punishment for adults can be more severe and usually includes some jail time.Most people use their computers legally. For the few who don’t, however, cyberpolice and better security systems will make it harder for cybercriminals to get away with their crimes.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Tracing cybercriminals.
B. Committing crimes on the Internet.
C. Computer viruses. (examda.com)
D. Computer knowledge and technology.
2. What should be known to catch cybercriminals?
A. Credit card numbers. (examda.com)
B.The technology used to commit the crimes.
C. Suspects’ fingerprints.
D. Numbers, letters and suspects.
3. How dangerous was Melissa virus back in 1999?
A. It destroyed computer files worldwide.
B. Many agencies were involved in the case.
C. Technicians, experts, and a student were investigated.
D. Telephone lines and computers were destroyed.
4. What serious result could a computer virus bring about?
A. Many telephone companies would go bankrupt.
B. A city would be thrown into darkness.
C. Power would be out in almost half of the country for a week.
D. There would be no more television programs to watch.
5. What can we infer about the process of catching computer criminals?
A. It could be dangerous. (examda.com)
B. It is rather complicated to identify the cybercriminals.
C. It would cause a huge loss.
D. They have been punished severely.
参考答案:1. A 2. B 3. A 4. C 5. B
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