VOA慢速英语2021 美国悬赏1000万美元打击勒索软件犯罪

The United States government says it will pay up to $10 million for information on criminal activity over computer networks against important U.S. infrastructure¹.

美国政府表示将悬赏高达1000万美元征集通过计算机网络攻击美国重要基础设施的犯罪活动的有关情报。

Cyber criminals often take advantage of openings in security to take control of computer systems. They then ask for large amounts of money – often millions of dollars – to give back control of the system to the owner. This is known as a ransom². The U.S. government believes these criminals do their work without fear of arrest in Russia and several other countries.

网络犯罪分子通常利用安全漏洞获取计算机控制权。然后他们要求获得通常达数百万美元的大额资金，才会将系统控制权交还给所有者。这被称之为赎金。美国政府认为，这些犯罪分子在俄罗斯等国开展他们的犯罪活动，而不用担心被拘捕。

People can now send information, known as a tip, about criminals to the U.S. government. They can send tips without giving their name through a form on the part of the internet known as the dark web.

人们现在可以给美国政府提供有关犯罪活动的情报。他们可以通过作为互联网一部分的暗网上的一个表单匿名发送情报。

Sometimes the U.S. government is the target of a cyberattack, but other times, private companies that are important to the U.S. economy are victims as well.

有时候，美国政府是网络攻击的目标，但是有时候，对美国经济很重要的私营企业也是受害者。

For example, an attack earlier this year against Colonial Pipeline³ disrupted work and travel for about a week in the eastern part of the U.S. The criminal group used software known as ransomware to take control of the pipeline's computer systems. It only released its control after getting a payment of over $4 million. Most of the money was later recovered by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation⁴.

例如，今年早些时候对科洛尼尔管道运输公司的攻击扰乱了美国东部的工作和出行达一个星期左右。犯罪组织使用勒索软件控制了该管道运输公司的计算机系统。它在获得了超过400万美元的付款后才释放了控制权。大部分资金随后被美国联邦调查局追回。

REvil, another criminal group based in Russia, launched a ransomware attack on July 2 against more than 1,000 organizations and businesses around the world. After the group's disappearance⁵, an administration official would not say if the U.S. made the group go away. And a Russian official said he did not know about the group.

另一家总部位于俄罗斯的犯罪组织REvil于7月2日对全球1000多家组织和企业发动了勒索软件攻击。在该组织神秘消失之后，一名美国政府官员不愿透露是不是美国让该组织消失不见。而一名俄罗斯官员表示，他对该组织并不知情。

Some cybercrime experts, however, think REvil may have disappeared to avoid U.S. officials.

然而一些网络犯罪专家认为REvil的消失可能是为了躲避美国官员。

President Joe Biden's administration is also educating businesses and individuals on how to keep their computer systems safe through a new website called stopransomware.gov.

拜登政府还通过一家名为stopransomware.gov的新网站，教导企业和个人如何保护其计算机的安全。

And the U.S. Treasury⁶ Department said it will work with banks and technology companies to avoid becoming victims of ransomware attacks.

美国财政部表示将与银行及科技公司合作，避免成为勒索软件攻击的受害者。

1 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

2 ransom   

n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救

参考例句：

• We'd better arrange the ransom right away.我们最好马上把索取赎金的事安排好。
• The kidnappers exacted a ransom of 10000 from the family.绑架者向这家人家勒索10000英镑的赎金。

3 pipeline   

n.管道，管线

参考例句：

• The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
• A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。

4 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。

5 disappearance   

n.消失，消散，失踪

参考例句：

• He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
• Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。

6 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。