• size and portability.the physical devices in computing are so small that a thousand dollars of computing gear will fit comfortably in a briefcase，and ten thousand dollars’ worth can be carried comfortably in two arms.
• ability to avoid physical contact.electronic funds transfers account for most transfers of money between banks.for example，private companies pay employees by direct computer transfer instead of check.utilities，insurance companies，and mortgage companies automatically process deductions against their clients’bank accounts.customers can even bank at home，moving funds between accounts and arranging withdrawals by touch-tone phone access to a computer.
• value of assets.the value of the information stored in a computer is also high.some computers contain confidential information about a person’s taxes，investments，medical history，or education.other computers contain very sensitive information about new product lines，sales figures，marketing strategy，or military targets，troop movements，weapons capabilities and so forth.
in terms of security，computing is very close to the v,ild wept days.at some installations，computers and their data have been recognized as a valuable and vulnerable resource，and appropriate protection has been applied.other installations are dangerously deficient in their security measures.but，unlike the“wild west”bankers，some computing professionals and managers do not even recognize the value of the resources they use or control.
worse yet，in the even of a crime，some companies will not investigate or prosecute，for fear that it will damage their public image.for example，would you feel safe depositing your money in a bank that had just suffered a five million dollar loss through computer embezzlement？[1]
criminal investigation and prosecution are hindered by statutes that do not recognize electromagnetic signals as property.the new、media have recently pictured computer intrusion by teenagers as pranks no more serious than tipping over an outhouse.
obviously，security in computing is a very important issue.it is an area that deserves study by computer professionals，managers，and even many computer users.
notes
[1]這是一個疑問句，that引出的定語從句修飾bank。
keywords
security 安全（性）
alarm system 報警系統
portability 可攜帶性，可移植性
intrusion 入侵
exercises
fill in the blanks with appropriate words or phrases.
（1）electronic funds transfers are able to avoid＿＿＿with money.
（2）private companies pay employees by＿＿＿.
（3）at some installations，＿＿＿have been recognized as a valuable and vulnerable resource.
（4）because electromagnetic signals are not recognized as properly，＿＿＿are hindered.
（5）＿＿＿is an area that deserves study by computer professionals，managers，and even many computer users.
（6）size of notebook computer is very＿＿＿.
（7）the value of the information stored in a computer is＿＿＿.
a.security in computing
b.direct computer transfer
c.criminal investigation and prosecution
d.small
e.physical contact
f.computers and their data
g.high
答案：
1.
（1）e （2）b （3）f （4）c
（5）a （6）d （7）g
翻譯：
本書所講的是有關計算機系統而不是銀行的安全問題，下面是二者在安全方面的一些不同。
• 規模和可攜帶性。計算機中各個部件都太小，上千美元的設備很容易裝入公文包，上萬美元的機器兩臂一抱就可以拿走。
• 可以避免人的接觸。銀行之間大多采用電子資金轉賬。例如，私人公司直接用計算機轉賬付給雇員工資而不用支票。公用事業公司、保險公司和抵押公司自動在他們的客戶銀行賬戶上扣除金額。客戶甚至可以在家里“上”銀行，即通過按鍵電話操縱計算機將其資金在兩個賬戶之間轉移或取款。
• 資產價值。存儲在計算機中的信息，價值也很高。某些計算機中保存有關個人稅務、投資、病歷或受教育等情況的機密信息；而另外一些計算機中保存有關新產品系列、銷售數字、市場策略或軍事目標、部隊換防、武器性能等非常敏感的信息。
就安全問題而言，計算機非常接近于早些年代的邊遠的西部所面臨的情況。在一些設施中，由于認識到計算機和它保存的數據是有價值和易受侵犯的資源，已采取了相應的防范措施。另外一些設施缺乏應有的安全措施，這種情形很危險。而且，與邊遠的西部的銀行家們不同，某些計算機專業人員和經理還沒有認識到他們所使用或管理的資源的價值。
更糟糕的是某些公司由于擔心有損于公司的公眾形象，即使發生了盜竊案件也不調查，也不告發。例如，你在銀行的錢有500萬美元通過計算機被盜走了，你還感到把錢存入銀行安全嗎？
由于法規不把電磁信號作為法律判斷依據，因而影響了對犯罪事實的調查和起訴。最近新聞媒體將青少年入侵計算機描繪成惡作劇，認為后果還不如推倒一間廁所嚴重。
很明顯，計算機安全是很重要的，這是值得計算機專業人員、經理甚至于很多計算機用戶研究的領域。