VOA慢速英语2015 FBI发出警告:勒索软件重出江湖

FBI: Ransomware Scams on the Rise FBI发出警告:勒索软件重出江湖

An old Internet scam is getting some new attention lately. It is called “ransomware.”

Ransomware is a term used for a specific type of software that locks up files or access to a computer until money is paid.

Earlier this year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation¹, or FBI, issued a warning about an increase in the spread of ransomware in the U.S.

Two of the most widespread ransomware are CryptoLocker and CryptoWall. The two computer bugs³ are thought to have taken millions of dollars from people. The Internet security company Websense says it has found about two million cases of Cryptolocker. More than 60 percent of the cases were in Australia.

Symantec is another Internet security company. It says a newer ransomware is quickly spreading around the world. The bug² fools people with information on the popular television series “Breaking Bad.”

The bug secretly searches out certain types of files in computers and encrypts them. Computer users will not be able to open those encrypted files without the decryption key. And only the person or persons responsible for the bug have the key.

Users then receive messages that their files are now unavailable. They are told their files will remain unavailable unless the user pays a fee in exchange for the decryption key to unlock⁴ their documents.

John Shier is a security expert at the cybersecurity company Sophos. He says ransomware looks for “user-generated content – word documents, spreadsheets, pictures. These could be pictures of your child’s first birthday, videos of your honeymoon⁵, financial spreadsheets of your small business; files that you really care about.”

The price to have those files returned is usually between $300 and $600. Once the payment is made, the user is given the decryption key.

Ransomware bugs have a relatively⁶ simple design. But they often have a complex encryption standard. That makes them almost impossible to break without the decryption key.

Ransomware targets all types of computer systems - personal, business and government.

But Mr. Shier says “the most success the bad guys are seeing” is from personal computer systems.

Little can be done once a device has been infected. But there are ways to protect against ransomware or limit the damage done once infected. John Shier says the best way is to make many copies of all of your files and save them in different locations.

Words in this Story

ransomware – n. a term used for a specific type of software that locks up files or access to a computer until money is paid.

bug – n. a problem that prevents a computer program or system from working properly

decrypt – v. to change secret messages, documents, etc. from a set of letters, numbers, symbols, etc., you cannot understand into words you can understand

encrypt – v. to change information from one form to another, especially to hide its meaning

fee – n. an amount of money that must be paid

scam – n. a dishonest way to make money by deceiving people

1 investigation   

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。

2 bug   

n.虫子；故障；窃听器；vt.纠缠；装窃听器

参考例句：

• There is a bug in the system.系统出了故障。
• The bird caught a bug on the fly.那鸟在飞行中捉住了一只昆虫。

3 bugs   

adj.疯狂的，发疯的n.窃听器( bug的名词复数 )；病菌；虫子；[计算机]（制作软件程序所产生的意料不到的）错误

参考例句：

• All programs have bugs and need endless refinement. 所有的程序都有漏洞，都需要不断改进。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The sacks of rice were swarming with bugs. 一袋袋的米里长满了虫子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 unlock   

v.启示，揭示，开...的锁

参考例句：

• The border police required the traveler to unlock his luggage.边防警察要求旅客打开行李。
• We heard somebody unlock the door.我们听见有人开门锁。

5 honeymoon   

n.蜜月（假期）；vi.度蜜月

参考例句：

• While on honeymoon in Bali,she learned to scuba dive.她在巴厘岛度蜜月时学会了带水肺潜水。
• The happy pair are leaving for their honeymoon.这幸福的一对就要去度蜜月了。

6 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。