Pre-reading questions:
- What is a cyberattack?
- How do you protect yourself from cyberattacks?
Vocabulary:
- posture /POS-cher /
- impact /IM-pakt/
- boundary /BOUN-duh-ree/
- sensitive /SEN-si-tiv/
- evolve /ih-VOLV/
[noun] – a way in which a government or other organization thinks about and/or deals with a particular matter
The school’s posture on student well-being included providing mental health support services.
[noun] – a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person
The construction project had a negative impact on the local wildlife and ecosystem.
[noun] – a real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something
The fence marks the boundary between our property and the neighbor’s.
[adjective] – needing to be treated with care or secrecy
The topic of her past was very sensitive, and she preferred not to discuss it.
[verb] – to develop gradually, or to cause something or someone to develop gradually
Through education and experience, individuals evolve and grow in their personal development.
Article reading:
By providing these tools for free, Microsoft aims to support global cybersecurity efforts and foster collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. The initiative signals the company’s commitment to building a safer digital environment for all users. The cybersecurity tools’ impact is expected to extend worldwide, transcending geographical boundaries as cyber threats continue to exist. The release of these tools emphasizes the growing importance of cybersecurity in the digital age and underscores the need for continuous cooperation between tech companies, governments, and organizations to safeguard sensitive data and critical infrastructure. As the cyber threat landscape evolves, initiatives like Microsoft’s free cybersecurity tools play a pivotal role in fortifying global cybersecurity resilience. By offering access to advanced cybersecurity solutions without cost, Microsoft aims to ensure that organizations of all sizes and sectors can defend against cyber threats effectively.
Comprehension questions
- What is the main purpose of Microsoft’s free cybersecurity tools, as mentioned in the article?
- Why does the article mention the hacking of the Microsoft Exchange server in China?
- How does the article suggest that the impact of these cybersecurity tools will extend beyond geographical boundaries?
- According to the article, what recent incidents have raised concerns about critical infrastructure vulnerabilities?
Discussion questions
- How do you think Microsoft’s release of free cybersecurity tools will impact organizations’ ability to defend against cyber threats?
- What role should tech companies like Microsoft play in strengthening global cybersecurity efforts?
- Do you think the availability of free cybersecurity tools makes organizations feel safer and more secure?
- How might Microsoft’s initiative to offer free cybersecurity tools foster greater collaboration among different stakeholders in the fight against cybercrime?
- As a user, what steps do you think should be taken to ensure the effective utilization and implementation of these free cybersecurity tools?