Although Tucker Lentz Has Used a Computer for Several Years

question 78

Multiple Choice

Although Tucker Lentz has used a computer for several years, he has never worried about computer viruses. However, a computer-savvy friend recently told him that a new wave of viruses has been reported. Tucker is wondering whether he should pay more attention to this threat, and if so, what he can do to protect his computer. Which of the following represents the best advice for Tucker?

• A) Trying to prevent viruses is likely to be more costly and troublesome than just dealing with the virus if your computer becomes infected. Moreover, the chance of actually getting a virus is very small, and even if you get one, most viruses do very little real damage. Thus the best course of action is to simply continue to ignore the problem.
• B) Although viruses are potentially harmful, there is no effective way to prevent their spread. The best approach is to back up important files on a regular basis and reformat the hard drive any time a virus appears.
• C) The Internet has automatic safeguards that prevent viruses from being transmitted when files are downloaded. Thus, the best way for Tucker to avoid harmful viruses is to use the Internet to send any files he wants to share rather than swapping easily infected diskettes.
• D) There is no absolutely foolproof way to avoid viruses, but one reasonably effective safeguard is to install antivirus software and use it to scan diskettes and downloaded files, making sure that the software is updated on a regular basis to remain effective.

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Definitions:

Dizygotic Development

The biological process resulting in the birth of two or more offspring from the same pregnancy with each developing from a separate egg fertilized by its own sperm, also known as fraternal twinning.

Nature And Nurture

The debate concerning the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities (nature) versus personal experiences (nurture) in determining or causing differences in physical and behavioral traits.

Environmentally Adaptive

The ability of an organism or a system to adjust or change in response to environmental factors.

Reproductive Success

The success a living organism has in passing its genes to the next generation's gene pool.