B211 Self-Test Week 8

Current Affairs Self-Test - Week 8

The following are excerpts from newpaper articles. Read the excerpts and answer the question below each excerpt.

Excerpt:
SUN Microsystems has announced its answer to Microsoft's Passport authentication system. Sun has combined with a number of large technology companies including Sony, Vodafone, Cisco, and NTT DoCoMo for the Liberty Alliance project. The alliance also includes banks, airlines and investment firms.

What is the Passport and Liberty Alliance authentication system for?

Excerpt:

A COALITION of consumer groups sent a letter to US state and federal prosecutors asking them to be tough with Microsoft in the four-year antitrust case, calling for extensive business restrictions and allowing individuals to sue the company.

What is US government prosecuting Microsoft for in the four-year antitrust case?

Excerpt:

Phil Zimmermann and fellow encryption supporters thought they had won the battle two years ago when the US Government decided to permit the export of full-strength encryption software without requiring programmers to hand over spare keys.
The September 11 attacks changed the atmosphere, and at least one senator has since called for making keys available. US intelligence says Osama bin Laden's terrorist organisation has used email and encryption to communicate.

What can the US Government do with the "spare keys"?

Link to sample answers.

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