Many Web sites collect personal information. Some Web sites ask for personal information before granting (许可) access. You may be asked for your full name, age, address and telephone number. Other Web sites collect information in more ways such as making a record of your Internet Protocol (IP) address and of the Web pages you visit. Web sites do this by placing one or more “cookies” on the hard drive of the computer you are using. “Cookies” are small files of text that can collect and store information such as:
● the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer;
● how many times you have visited the site;
● your preferences, such as a preferred language;
● your user name and password;
● items in your “shopping cart”;
● Web sites you’ve visited.
This information allows Web sites to identify (识别) you the next time you visit. This makes it unnecessary for you to identify yourself every time you visit a Web site. However, cookies also enable Web sites or marketing networks to create a profile (简介) of you based on the information you have provided, often for advertising purposes. Once the information is collected, it can be used in countless ways. It can be difficult to determine what happens to personal information on the Internet.
Obviously, the best way to protect your personal information is never giving it to a Web site, but that’s not always practical. Using the Internet to shop, get services and get information is convenient for many people. These activities may require the use of personal information.
48. According to the text, cookies ______.
A. are good for our body B. can be bought online
C. can help us visit Web sites D. are viruses in computers
49. Which of the following can be used to describe “cookies”?
A. Every coin has two sides. B. Early birds catch worms.
C. Happy beginnings lead to sad endings. D. Seeing is believing.
50. The text mainly tells us ______.
A. how Web sites steal your personal information
B. Web sites requiring personal information are not reliable
C. shopping online is dangerous
D. to be careful when giving personal information online