阅读是英语四级考试中的侧重点，因此小编为同学们一篇练习题，希望有助于同学们复习英语四级。

　　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.

　　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)。

编辑推荐