Computer viruses are electronic programs that destroy information on a computer or cause the computer to stop working.
computer experts say the “ I love you ” virus is one of the most dangerous they have ever seen. It began spreading May Fourth and quickly attacked computers in more than twenty countries. It may have caused a loss of 10 billion dollars in destroyed information and lost computer work time.
The virus got in each computer as electronic mail that appeared to be sent from a friend with title “ I love you.” When the computer user opened the message, the virus did several things. First, it found the computer’s address book and immediately mailed copies of itself to each computer address listed. It destroyed electronic pictures kept in the computer’s memory. It also searched for secret words used to protect computer information and attempted to steal them. The “I love you” virus quickly spread through computers used in governments and private businesses. Electronic address books in these computers quickly sent copies of the virus to other business computers. Within days the “ I love you ” virus had spread from computer to computer around the world.
Experts in computer crime are still investigating the incident. They have followed electronic evidence to the Philippines where there are no laws against this kind of computer activity. It is a crime in many countries, but not in the Philippines.
International legal experts say new laws are needed that ban computer programs like the “ I love you” virus. They say people who invent and spread harmful programs must be punished. Computer experts say as many as 50,000 computer viruses may now exist and they warn computer users to be careful about what electronic mail they open.
29. How does the “I love you” virus spread?
A. By finding the computer’s address book and mailing copies of itself.B. By destroying the programs that protect computer information. C. By sending virus from business computers to government computers. D. By searching for secret words and attempting to steal them.
30. What can we infer from the text?
A. The “I love you” virus isn’t as dangerous as those ever seen.
B. The “I love you” virus can spread through the internet quickly.
C. The “I love you” virus copies electronic pictures in the computers.
D. The “I love you” virus doesn’t exist in the Philippines.
31. What do computer experts suggest?
A. Laws should be made against computer viruses.
B. The government pay those who suffered a loss.
C. Computer users be careful when opening e-mails.
D. Those who invented the virus be punished