B211 Self-Test Week 5

Current Affairs Self-Test - Week 5

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

Excerpts from an article:
THE US Federal Trade Commission has reached an agreement with Microsoft about its methods for collecting personal information from consumers using its Passport authentication service.
...
Privacy groups said Passport represented unfair and deceptive trade practices, alleging that Microsoft inadequately explained how it would track consumers' visits across its Web properties and make it difficult not to use the system or later to stop using it.
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More than 200 million people have signed up for Passport accounts, which are difficult to avoid when using Microsoft's flagship Windows XP operating system. The software prompts consumers: "You need a Passport to use Windows XP internet communications features (such as instant-messaging, voice chat and video), and to access net-enabled features".
Passport is integral to Microsoft's most important upcoming technology services, including its .NET initiative. Using the service, consumers could entrust Microsoft or other organizations to centrally hold their personal information - such as credit card numbers or medical records - and make it available whenever needed.
What does the "Passport" service do?

Excerpt:
THE headmaster at one of Perth's most exclusive private schools has been forced to resign and is now under police investigation after using his computer to access "inappropriate" internet sites.

How was this alleged "inappropriate" Internet use detected?

Excerpt:
TELSTRA has laid the foundation for its further privatisation by the end of next year by claiming service levels to the bush will conform with required standards by mid-2003.
Chief executive Ziggy Switkowski pledged for the first time yesterday to deliver service standards conforming to recommendations in the federal Government's Besley report within a specified time.

What "services" do the above refer to?

Link to sample answers.

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