Learning English

International cyber-attack

A virus has locked thousands of government, company and public service employees out of their computers.

The global cyber-attack started on Friday and continued across the weekend.

Language challenge

Ransomware is a portmanteau, meaning a word made from two other words. Which two words form ‘ransomware’?

a) ran and somewhere
b) ransom and beware
c) ransom and software

Watch the video and complete the activity

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The story

Experts in cyber-security are warning of a possible new wave of malware attacks around the world when people return to work after the weekend.

More than 120,000 systems in about a hundred countries were estimated to have been infected on Friday. The disruption has hit users including government offices, car manufacturers, banks and health services.

The malware prevents access to computer data and demands a ransom to lift the block.

Key words and phrases

surge
a sudden increase

ransomware
a virus designed to stop a computer working unless money is paid

stopped in its tracks
stop moving or doing something suddenly

To do

Try our quiz to see how well you've learned today's language.

Downloads

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Language challenge - answer

c) ransom and software

End of Session 2

Join us in Session 3 for Pronunciation in the News - our video which teaches you pronunciation using the latest BBC World News bulletins.