Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
03/13/2017
New WikiLeaks docs show CIA's hacking abilities
New documents from WikiLeaks could indicate the CIA can use "weaponized malware" to hack into some of the most popular smartphone operating systems on Androids and iPhones. Some of the leaks also revealed government intelligence officials can use some Samsung smart TVs as recording devices. Famous leaker Edward Snowden said the documents indicate the government paid to keep security flaws embedded in the software of some devices, making them vulnerable.
■Class discussion: Are you concerned that government hackers can break into cellphones, computers, TVs or even car operating systems? If the U.S. government can do it, could other governments also hack these devices? Could the software security flaws used by government hackers also be used by criminals to steal money and personal information? The head of the FBI said last week that strong computer encryption is a “haven” for criminals. Does strong encryption help or block criminals? Or both?