阅读理解
Whether you are logging on to your personal computer, using a credit card, or disarming a door security system, passwords or PINs(personal identification numbers) jealously guard access to numerous regular operations. It is estimated that within ten years, consumers could be faced with handling more than 100 passwords! Given the popularity of passwords, how can you choose ones that are sufficiently complicated to he secure yet are simple enough to remember?
There are basic guidelines to bear in mind. First, don''t use as a password your name or that of a member of your family, even in modified form. Also avoid use of your telephone number, your Social Security number, or your address. Such information can easily be obtained by a determined hacker (黑客).
In addition, if possible, don''t use passwords made up entirely of letters or digits. A relatively simple computer program can crack such a code quickly. Finally, do not use a word that can be found in any dictionary, even a foreign-language one. Huge lists are available that contain words, place names, and proper names from all languages. Programs can test for variations of these words, such as if they are spelled backward, capitalized, or combined.
So, what kinds of passwords should be used? Usually ones that have a minimum of six to eight characters and that have a mixture of upper-and lower-case letters, digits, and punctuation (标点) symbols. How difficult is it to crack such a combination of characters? One source says that "a machine that could try one million passwords per second would require, on the average, over one hundred years."
How can you choose a combination that is easy to remember? Some suggest that you take the title of a favorite book or film or a line from a song or poem and use the first letter from each word as your password, adding capital letters, punctuation, or other characters. For example, "to be or not to be" could become "2B/not2B".
Other suggestions include taking two short words and link them with a punctuation character, such as "High.?Bug " or "Song; Tree".
Taking into account the suggestions outlined above can help you to protect important information from unwanted hackers. Remember, too, the importance of changing your passwords regularly. Just a final comment: Whatever passwords you decide to use, don''t pick any of the examples given above.
单选题
Why shouldn't we use a word that can be found in any dictionary as a password?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】本题答案的出处在第三段的最后三句话。文中指出语言中的词容易在词典里被查出。最后一句Programs can test for variations of these words暗示并与本段的开头两句呼应 ——“如果可能,不要用由字母和数字组成的密码。比较简单的计算机程序能够很快地破译这类密码。”
单选题
If you are choosing a password for your computer, which of the following is the best choice?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】这道题要求考生在理解文章的基础上解决一个具体问题。做这道题的方法是排除法。根据第三段第一句话中的don't use passwords made up entirely of letters or digits可排除A和B项。这篇文章的最后一句讲到,“无论你决定选择什么密码,不要采用上面提到的任何一个例子。”据此,可以排除C项。所以,D是正确答案,只有不同种类的符号、数字、横线等的组合,才是最好的选择。
单选题
How can you choose a password that is both secure and simple to remember?