| YES | if the statement agrees with the views of the writer |
| NO | if the statement contradicts the views of the writer |
| NOT GIVEN | if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this |
A. Wireless networking, using the so-called Wi-Fi protocol, has become immensely popular over the past two years, the technology crash notwithstanding . Many companies and individuals leave their access-points open deliberately to enable passers-by to share their Internet connections. Open a laptop in New York, San Francisco, Seattle or many other large cities around the world and you may well be able to get online free. But although Wi-Fi is liberating for users, it can cause security problems.
B. Adding an access-point to a network costs less than $200 and is very simple-so simple, in fact, that ‘rogue' access-points have started to sprout on corporate networks without the knowledge of management.
A survey by Computer world, an industry magazine, found that 30% of American companies had identified rogue access-points on their networks. And if these are left open, they provide a back door past the firewall into the company’s network. Rob Clyde, chief technology officer at Symantec, says that half of the chief executives at a recent round table event cited Wi-Fi as a top security concern.
This is just one example of how a new technology can bring security problems in its wake. There arc plenty of others. Some firms are opening up their networks through online business-to-business exchanges, for example, where they list what they' want to buy or sell and invite bids. Everything from paper clips to car components is bought or sold in this way. There is widespread agreement that ‘web services’, in which companies open up their core business processes directly to other firms over the Internet, will become increasingly important in the next few years. But by opening its systems to outsiders, a company may also attract unwanted visitors, or attacks from nosy competitors.
C. Joint ventures, in which two firms collaborate and share information, can also cause problems. A recent report by Vista Research cites the example of an American car maker that established a joint venture with a Japanese firm and opened up its network to allow in employees of its Japanese partner. But the design of the American firm's network allowed access only on an ‘all or nothing’ basis, so the Japanese firm's employees ended up with access to everything.
Hand-held computers are another problem.
D. They are often used to store sensitive data such as passwords, bank details and calendars. ‘The calendar is a fundamental loophole, 'says Doug Dcdo of Microsoft’s mobile devices division, because it may contain entries such as meeting with company X re merger'. Another problem associated with hand-held computers is that their users carry them into the office and plug them into their computers, bypassing anti-virus systems and firewalls. A virus-infected document stored on a hand-held computer could then start spreading. Similarly, peer-to-peer file-swapping networks such as Gnutella, instant-messaging services that zap messages and files across the Internet, and web-based e-mail systems such as Hotmail all provide new routes into a company’s network that can be exploited by attackers.
E. There are plenty of technical fixes available. Handheld scanners can be used to track down rogue access-points, and legitimate access-points can be secured against outsiders by using virlual-private-network (VPN) software. A lot of work is being done to ensure that web services arc secure, including, improbably, a joint initiative by rivals Microsoft and IBM. Anti-virus and firewall software exists for hand-held computers, which can also be password-protected. And firewalls can be configured to prevent unauthorised use of peer-to-peer and instant-messaging services. Its home page resides and the private core (which is accessible only to employees) is quickly eroding. 'The cultural and technological trend is towards more porous companies, ’says Gene Hodges, president of Network Associates, a large security-software firm. As firms connect with their suppliers and customers, 'the more you open up, the more you are exposed.’
F. ‘His classic notion of perimeter security, in short, is fast becoming obsolete. Alan Henricks, chief executive of Cenzic, says the shift is 'from keeping people out to bringing people is in a trusted fashion’. Nand Mulchnndani, co-founder of Oblix, another security firm, puts it more colorfully: the ‘big walls, moat and crocodiles' approach of the past few years, he says, is now outdated.
The latest thinking is that rather than seeing their networks as castles, large organisations should regard them as airports. People go in and out all the time, some areas arc more secure than others, and as people pass from one area to another they have to present their credentials: tickets, boarding passes or passports. Apply this approach to computer security, and instead of an ‘exclusive’ model in which you try to prevent people from doing things they shouldn’t, you have an 'inclusive' model that lays down who can do what, and only lets certain people do certain things.
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Question Focus: Writer opinion signaled by reference to a 'technology crash'.
Correct Answer: YES
Why this is correct: The writer directly refers to a technology crash, which clearly supports the idea that there has been a serious decline. By saying popularity grew despite the crash, the writer accepts that the decline happened.
Passage Reference: Wireless networking, using the so-called Wi-Fi protocol, has become immensely popular over the past two years, the technology crash notwithstanding. Many companies and individuals leave their access-points open deliberately to enable passers-by to share their Internet connections.
Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN because students notice Wi-Fi popularity and miss the opinion about a wider decline - Context shift trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'the technology crash' = Statement: 'a serious decline in technological development'
Tips: When you see words like 'despite' or 'notwithstanding', stop and ask what problem the writer accepts as true.
Key Vocabulary:
- notwithstanding = despite
- crash = serious decline
Question Focus: Exact figures and scope of the survey.
Correct Answer: NO
Passage Reference: A survey by Computer world, an industry magazine, found that 30% of American companies had identified rogue access-points on their networks. And if these are left open, they provide a back door past the firewall into the company's network.
Why this is correct: The passage says 30%, which is less than a third, not over a third. Because the writer gives a clear number that contradicts the statement, the answer is NO.
Common Mistake: YES because 30% feels close to one third - Approximation trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: '30% of American companies' = Statement: 'over a third of US corporation systems'
Tips: With numbers, be very precise. Close is not good enough in IELTS.
Key Vocabulary:
- rogue = illegal or unauthorized
- identified = found
Question Focus: Difference between examples and common practice.
Correct Answer: NO
Passage Reference: Joint ventures, in which two firms collaborate and share information, can also cause problems. A recent report by Vista Research cites the example of an American car maker that established a joint venture with a Japanese firm and opened up its network to allow in employees of its Japanese partner.
Why this is correct: The writer gives one specific example, not a general opinion that this is common. There is no statement that companies usually or often do this.
Common Mistake: YES because students turn one example into a general rule - Qualification trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'an example of an American car maker' = Statement: 'it is common for companies'
Tips: One example does not mean 'common'. Look for words like 'often' or 'usually'.
Key Vocabulary:
- joint venture = business partnership
- cite = give as an example
Question Focus: Clear contradiction by available solutions.
Correct Answer: NO
Passage Reference: There are plenty of technical fixes available. Anti-virus and firewall software exists for hand-held computers, which can also be password-protected.
Why this is correct: The writer clearly says such software exists, which directly contradicts the statement. That makes the answer NO.
Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN because students miss the solution section - Wrong section trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'anti-virus and firewall software exists' = Statement: 'not possible to create software'
Tips: For NO answers, always underline the words that clearly say the opposite.
Key Vocabulary:
- exists = is available
- protect = keep safe
Question Focus: Writer supports the new 'inclusive' security model.
Correct Answer: YES
Passage Reference: Apply this approach to computer security, and instead of an 'exclusive' model in which you try to prevent people from doing things they shouldn't, you have an 'inclusive' model that lays down who can do what, and only lets certain people do certain things.
Why this is correct: The writer clearly supports a model where access is controlled by rules about who can do what. This directly agrees with the statement.
Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN because students think it is just description - Opinion marker trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'lays down who can do what' = Statement: 'under controlled conditions'
Tips: When the writer explains a model positively, that usually shows agreement.
Key Vocabulary:
- inclusive model = managed access system
- credentials = proof of permission
Question Focus: Difference between possibility and frequency.
Correct Answer: NOT GIVEN
Passage Reference: And if these are left open, they provide a back door past the firewall into the company's network. Rob Clyde, chief technology officer at Symantec, says that half of the chief executives at a recent round table event cited Wi-Fi as a top security concern.
Why this is correct: The writer says rogue access-points can be used as a back door, but never says hackers often use them. Frequency is not mentioned.
Common Mistake: YES because students assume how hackers behave - Not Given trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'provide a back door' = Statement: 'hackers often use'
Tips: Words like 'often' need clear proof. If frequency is missing, choose NOT GIVEN.
Key Vocabulary:
- rogue = unauthorized
- exploit = take advantage of
Question Focus: Direct cause-and-effect opinion.
Correct Answer: YES
Passage Reference: And if these are left open, they provide a back door past the firewall into the company's network.
Why this is correct: The writer clearly states that access-points can act as a back door, which means unwanted access. This fully supports the statement.
Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN because students overlook cause-and-effect wording - Causation trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'provide a back door' = Statement: 'vulnerable to unwelcome intrusions'
Tips: Metaphors like 'back door' usually signal security risk.
Key Vocabulary:
- vulnerable = easy to attack
- intrusion = unwanted entry
Question Focus: Writer attitude shown by evaluative word.
Correct Answer: YES
Passage Reference: A lot of work is being done to ensure that web services arc secure, including, improbably, a joint initiative by rivals Microsoft and IBM.
Why this is correct: The word improbably clearly shows the writer finds this surprising. That is a direct opinion.
Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN because students treat it as a fact - Opinion marker trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'improbably' = Statement: 'it is surprising'
Tips: Adverbs like 'improbably' almost always signal writer opinion.
Key Vocabulary:
- improbably = surprisingly
- rivals = competitors
Question Focus: Ease versus difficulty.
Correct Answer: NO
Passage Reference: Adding an access-point to a network costs less than $200 and is very simple-so simple, in fact, that 'rogue' access-points have started to sprout on corporate networks without the knowledge of management.
Why this is correct: The writer clearly says it is very simple, which directly contradicts the idea that it is difficult.
Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN because students skim past emphasis - Contradiction trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'is very simple' = Statement: 'quite difficult'
Tips: Strong adjectives like 'very simple' are powerful evidence.
Key Vocabulary:
- sprout = appear quickly
- rogue = illegal
Question Focus: Advice versus description.
Correct Answer: NOT GIVEN
Passage Reference: And firewalls can be configured to prevent unauthorised use of peer-to-peer and instant-messaging services. Its home page resides and the private core (which is accessible only to employees) is quickly eroding.
Why this is correct: The writer describes what firewalls can do, but never says they should be included in all designs. That recommendation is not expressed.
Common Mistake: YES because students turn description into advice - Not Given trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'firewalls can be configured' = Statement: 'should be included in all network designs'
Tips: Words like 'should' need a clear opinion. If it is missing, choose NOT GIVEN.
Key Vocabulary:
- configure = set up
- unauthorised = not allowed
General Tips:
- YNNG tests the WRITER'S VIEW, not passage facts. A fact without opinion is NOT GIVEN.
- YES means the writer agrees. NO means the writer clearly disagrees. NOT GIVEN means the opinion is missing.
- Look carefully for opinion markers like 'improbably', 'should', 'in short', or strong adjectives.
- Be very careful with numbers and frequency words like 'often' or 'all'.
- Statements follow passage order. Use the previous answer to find the next faster.
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