Greetings, students. Now that you’re in Year 3 of your American English studies, you will be able to read, and listen to one of VOA’s “Science and Technology” articles, which explore new developments in science, space exploration, environment and technology in the United States of America as well as in countries all over the world. You are encouraged to carefully read the article and the vocabulary words, as well as listen to the article. Finally, you are invited to share what you learned by discussing why this article is important and meaningful in the comments section below.
Directions: Read the article and study the vocabulary below.
Directions: Listen to the audio recording of the article.
Directions: Share your insights about why this article is meaningful and important by writing in the comments section below.
Lesson 3.44.4: Year 3
”Science & Technology”
” Turn off, turn on: Simple Step can Stop Phone Hackers.”
Cellphones have become top targets for hackers looking to steal messages, contacts and pictures. Cellphone can also be used to find out where user is physically. Hackers can even turn on phone’s camera and microphone. It is not known exactly how many people’s phones are hacked each year, but a recent investigation by a group of media agencies found that over 1,000 reporters human rights and politicians were believed to be possible targets of an Israel’s hacker for hire company. This has caused political disorder in France, India, Hungry and elsewhere. Many people restart their phones so rarely that’s why the hacker get all the information needed.
The NSA’s guide for mobile digital security notes that restarting a phone only works sometimes. The most well-known is the Israeli based NSO Group, their hacking programming has reportedly been used around the world to break into the phones of activists, reporters and religious leaders. Document gained by vice News found NSO’s U.S based company advertised a powerful phone hacking tool to law enforcement agencies, The tool could over survive a factory reset, when all user data from a phone is removed.
So, as a member of the secretive Senate Intelligence committee, Sen Angus King has reason to worry about hackers. At a briefing by security staff this year, he said he got some advice on how to help keep the cellphone secure.
Step One: Turn off Phones.
Step Two: Turn it back on.