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VOA慢速英语2019--美国学校成为网络攻击的目标

时间:2019-07-25 23:57:21

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US Schools Become the Target of Cyberattacks

Cyber attackers are increasingly targeting school systems around the United States. The effects of such attacks worsen as more American schools use technology for teaching.

A recent example comes from Connecticut. Cyber attacks cut internet connection to the Avon Public School system several times a day over a six week period.

The attackers did not capture sensitive information from the school system. But the damage was still costly1. Classroom teaching plans that required the internet were halted.

Robert Vojtek is the school system’s technology director. He sought help from the Federal Bureau of Investigation2, or FBI.

“The first time I called the FBI, their first question was, ‘Well, what did it cost you?’” he said. Vojtek explained that teaching and learning stopped for some 4,000 students. He asked, “How do you put a price tag on that?”

The FBI says schools are targeted because they hold sensitive data and provide important public services.

It said in a written statement that the attackers are criminals seeking profit, young people playing jokes and possibly even foreign governments.

Attacks against schools have become common, the FBI said, but it is impossible to know how often they happen because many are never reported.

Schools with few or no information security employees are often surprised to find themselves as targets.

Coventry local school system in Ohio has about 2,000 students. In May, it had to close schools as it worked - with FBI support - to fight a virus that had infected its computer system.

The school system did not have cyber security insurance, said its technology director, Kelly Kendrick. Her three-person department is still working to repair devices affected3 by the attack.

FBI officials told the school system that the attackers apparently4 did not get sensitive information. But Kendrick said it was clear they were after data of some kind.

“Why this little school in Akron, Ohio? Why was it a target?” Kendrick said. “It has really opened my eyes to how data of any kind is marketable, sellable.”

In September, the FBI issued a public service announcement. The announcement warned against the widespread collection of student identification data and other information, including educational progress reports and classroom activities. Such data could affect privacy and safety if compromised, the FBI said.

Stolen data could lead to tracking, identity theft and other threats, it said.

Punishment for cyber attacks can be severe.

In March, Olukayode Lawal, a Nigerian man living in Smyrna, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He was also ordered to leave the country. Lawal was found guilty of involvement in a plan to steal money using tax information of Connecticut school employees.

In North Dakota, a third of schools were hit with a malware attack last year. The attack was traced to North Korea, although it is unclear if it began there.

Sean Wiese is North Dakota’s chief information security officer.

He said school cyber systems “may be considered easy targets because they’re a little bit more open” than traditional business culture.

“I do feel that is changing, just not quickly enough,” Wiese added.

I’m John Russell.

Words in This Story

cyber – adj. related to computers or computer networks

insurance – n. an agreement in which a person makes regular payments to a company and the company promises to pay money if the person is injured or dies, or to pay money equal to the value of something (such as a house or car) if it is damaged, lost, or stolen

malware – n. short for “malicious software” ; malware causes damage to a computer or computer network


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1 costly 7zXxh     
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的
参考例句:
  • It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
  • This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用,左不过贵了些。
2 investigation MRKzq     
n.调查,调查研究
参考例句:
  • In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
  • He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。
3 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
4 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

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