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Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardize

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Sajjad1994
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Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardize [#permalink] New post   31 Jul 2019, 18:16
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Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardized. But when a large business with multiple, linked computer systems uses identical operating system software on all of its computers, a computer vandal who gains access to one computer automatically has access to the data on all the computers. Using a program known as a “virus,” the vandal can then destroy much of the data on all the computers. If such a business introduced minor variations into its operating system software, unauthorized access to all the computers at the same time could be virtually eliminated. Furthermore variations in operating system software can be created without any lose of computer compatibility to the business. Therefore, it is advisable for businesses to implement such variations.

Which one of the following, if true, supports the conclusion in the passage?

(A) Standardization of computer operating system software has increased computer compatibility among different businesses.

(B) Correcting any damage resulting from an invasion by a computer virus program is more expensive than preventing the damage.

(C) It is not costly for a business to maintain incompatible computer operating systems.

(D) There are other kinds of destructive computer programs that do not depend on inter-computer links.

(E) Not all businesses need to share date among their internal computer systems.
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Re: Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardize [#permalink] New post   17 Jun 2020, 07:24
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Explanation

Businesses should introduce some variety into their software systems (that’s the conclusion, signaled by “therefore”), because using only one system leaves a company intensely vulnerable to vandalism. That logic, however, relies on the assumption that letting a virus loose in a system is worse than rebuilding a system post virus. (B) asserts that that assumption is true, and hence it supports the reasoning. Use the Denial Test to check it: If (B) is false—if it’s no more expensive to rebuild a system than to prevent a problem— then the wisdom of the author’s advice is seriously in doubt.

(A) is an irrelevant generalization about standardization and its effect on business.

(C) Since the argument is solely concerned with businesses that have compatible systems,

(C) is beyond the scope.

(D) The argument is about the damage caused by vandals, not about the inherent destructiveness of programs. And (D)’s other topic, non-linked computers, is equally outside the scope.

(E) is true. But businesses that do need to share data are the topic here, because they’re the ones at risk. (E) neither supports nor weakens the logic.

Answer: B
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Re: Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardize [#permalink] New post   09 Aug 2019, 21:18
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Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardized. But when a large business with multiple, linked computer systems uses identical operating system software on all of its computers, a computer vandal who gains access to one computer automatically has access to the data on all the computers. Using a program known as a “virus,” the vandal can then destroy much of the data on all the computers. If such a business introduced minor variations into its operating system software, unauthorized access to all the computers at the same time could be virtually eliminated. Furthermore variations in operating system software can be created without any lose of computer compatibility to the business. Therefore, it is advisable for businesses to implement such variations.

Which one of the following, if true, supports the conclusion in the passage?

(A) Standardization of computer operating system software has increased computer compatibility among different businesses.

(B) Correcting any damage resulting from an invasion by a computer virus program is more expensive than preventing the damage.

(C) It is not costly for a business to maintain incompatible computer operating systems.

(D) There are other kinds of destructive computer programs that do not depend on inter-computer links.

(E) Not all businesses need to share date among their internal computer systems.


The right answer here is B. Since we're being asked to strengthen the conclusion, we must first identify exactly what that conclusion is. In this case, it is that variations should be implemented because it prevents viruses. One thing that helps get to the answer best is to question the argument. This may seem a bit counter-intuitive, but questioning the argument leads you to any possible loopholes. You can then look for an option that closes any of these loops.

A - If anything, this is a point in favour of standardization. OUT

B - This fixes a possible deficiency! We know that variations prevent viruses, but it was unclear before this whether the prevention was indeed better than the cure. This confirms that, thereby strengthening the argument. CORRECT

C - We can say that it is not costly, but it doesn't tell us that this is better to do, and therefore doesn't add additional info for the conclusion. OUT

D - If anything, this weakens the conclusion. If viruses are possible anyway thats a problem. OUT

E - This tells us that it is viable to implement this plan, much like C. But it doesn't actually help suggest that this plan is actually better. OUT

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Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardize [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2020, 02:12
nowhere in paragraph it is mentioned about expensive/price. So how answer is B?. And how D is wrong?
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Re: Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardize [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2020, 18:48
(A) Standardization of computer operating system software has increased computer compatibility among different businesses. - the passage is not interested in ''increasing computer compatibility''.

(B) Correcting any damage resulting from an invasion by a computer virus program is more expensive than preventing the damage. - this would advocate for implementing the variations suggested in the passage. Hence, (B) is the right answer choice.

(C) It is not costly for a business to maintain incompatible computer operating systems. - the passage does not make this implication. Moreover, the passage is not concerned with ''maintaining incompatible computer operating systems''.

(D) There are other kinds of destructive computer programs that do not depend on inter-computer links. - irrelevant

(E) Not all businesses need to share date among their internal computer systems. - the passage is not interested in ''the proportion'' of businesses that share data.
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Re: Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardize [#permalink] New post   03 Jul 2020, 20:02
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AbhishekDhanraJ72 wrote:
nowhere in paragraph it is mentioned about expensive/price. So how answer is B?. And how D is wrong?

The question asks us to identify the answer choice that supports the conclusion in the passage. In other words, it’s asking us to identify an answer choice that supports the conclusion that it is advisable for businesses to implement variations in operating system software (OSS), but that doesn’t require that the answer choice is already stated in the passage.

With that in mind, here’s (B):

Quote:
(B) Correcting any damage resulting from an invasion by a computer virus program is more expensive than preventing the damage.

If correcting damage is more expensive than preventing damage, then preventing damage is likely to result in higher profits. Because businesses seek to maximize profit, (B) suggests that it is advisable for businesses to prevent damage, presumably by implementing variation in OSS. Let’s keep (B).

And here’s (D):

Quote:
(D) There are other kinds of destructive computer programs that do not depend on inter-computer links.

The author’s conclusion is that variations in OSS are advisable because they can prevent SOME attacks. But (D) suggests that there are other destructive computer programs that varying OSS may not prevent. While it could be true that implementing OSS variations is still advisable, (D) doesn’t provide any ADDITIONAL support for the conclusion. Eliminate (D).

(B) is the correct answer choice.

I hope that helps!
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Re: Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardize [#permalink]
03 Jul 2020, 20:02
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