Jackie: Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English. I'm Jackie and I'm joined today by Kaz.
Hello Kaz!
Kaz: Hi Jackie!
Jackie: Today’s story takes us to Bangladesh, where a cyber war is taking place.
Kaz: A cyber war – a fight involving computers and the internet.
Jackie: But before we continue with that story, let’s kick off with our question of the
week. Are you ready Kaz?
Kaz: I’m ready.
Jackie: What is the origin of the word ‘cyber’? Is it Latin, Greek or French?
Kaz: I was afraid you were going to ask me that Jackie. I have no idea I’m afraid.
Jackie: Take a guess.
Kaz: How about French?
Jackie: OK, well, we’ll find out the answer to that question at the end of the programme.
Kaz, cyber has become a prefix that we hear in several different contexts related
to the computer world, hasn’t it?
Kaz: Yes, you might have come across the phrases ‘cyberspace’, which means the
virtual, online world of computers and networks; we hear ‘cybercafé’ which is
where you might go to check your emails and have a drink at the same time; and,
in the context of war, yes, there’s ‘cyber war’ and ‘cyber warfare’; there’s also
‘cyber terrorism’ and a ‘cyber attack’.
Jackie: Well, we’ve seen examples of cyber warfare taking place all over the world in
recent years. One of the most recent cases involves Bangladesh and India.
Kaz: Yes, Bangladeshi officials say hackers from outside the country have attacked a
number of government websites.
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Jackie: Hackers – those are the people who break into computers and networks, getting
access to information that is usually meant to be protected.
Kaz: Information technology experts say the attacks were part of an ongoing unofficial
cyber war between individual Bangladeshi and Indian hackers.
Jackie: There have also been claims that a number of Indian websites were attacked in
recent weeks by a group of Bangladeshi hackers. Let’s listen to the BBC'S
Anbarasan Ethirajan reporting from the capital Dhaka. As you listen try to answer
this question:
Kaz: Where did Bangladeshi authorities say the attacks came – or originated – from?
Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC
The Bangladeshi authorities say they took immediate action as soon as information emerged that
the websites were being hacked. They say within a few hours the sites were back in action. But
they did not specify where the attacks originated from. However, Bangladeshi media reports say
the attack on government websites could have been carried out by various groups, including one
which calls itself the Indian Cyber Army. A.R. Hazimul Haque, who works as consultant for the
Bangladesh government, warns that there are dangers if the hackers continue to target official
websites: "This will not affect much if this is only information related. If it is registration or
monetary related matter, then of course it is a big issue. Also there are policy making issues. Also,
now you know Bangladesh is going for tender through CPTU, online processing, so that could
also be another issue in that respect."
Jackie: Did you manage to answer that question? It was a bit of a trick one.
Kaz: Yes, the report said the authorities did not specify – they didn’t say – where the
attacks were from.
Jackie: The media, however, has been speculating that the attacks on government
websites could have been carried out by various groups, including one called the
Indian Cyber Army.
Kaz: It seems that hundreds of websites have been hacked in both Bangladesh and India
in recent months.
Jackie: Let’s listen to the last part of Anbarasan Ethirajan’s report. As you listen, try to
answer this question.
Kaz: What reason was given for cyber attacks by Bangladeshis against Indians?
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Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC
Experts believe the latest incident could be in response to a series of attacks on a number of
Indian websites in recent months by a group which claims to be from Bangladesh. The hackers
said they were protesting against the killing of Bangladeshi civilians by Indian border guards
along the India-Bangladesh border. There are no official figures but it's thought that hundreds of
websites have been hacked in both countries in recent months. Experts say the latest attacks show
the need for the government, as well as the private sector from both countries, to improve their
website security.
Jackie: The reporter said that this latest incident could be in response to – in answer to, or
as a result of – a series of attacks on a number of Indian websites by a group
which claims to be from Bangladesh.
Kaz: And so the answer to the question: this Bangladeshi group said it was protesting
against the killing of Bangladeshi civilians by Indian border guards along the
frontier between the two countries.
Jackie: Well, Kaz, you must be eagerly awaiting the answer to this week’s question.
Kaz: I am!
Jackie: Well, the prefix cyber is derived from ‘cybernetic’, which comes from a Greek
adjective meaning skilled in steering or governing. So not quite right this time.
Kaz: OK, well, you live and learn Jackie! Now I know.
Jackie: Better luck next time. Before we go, let’s have a reminder of some of the key
words in today’s story.
Kaz: We heard the words:
hacker
cyber attack
cyber war
cyber warfare
cyberspace
cybercafé
did not specify
originated from
in response to
Jackie: That’s all for now, but do join us again soon for more 6 Minute English! Bye!
Kaz: Bye bye!
