A computer virus is an illegal and potentially damaging computer prog

Question

A computer virus is an illegal and potentially damaging computer program designed to infect other software by attaching itself to any software it contacts. In many cases, virus programs are designed to damage computer systems maliciously by destroying or corrupting data. If the infected software is transferred to or accessed by another computer system, the virus spreads to the other system. Viruses have become a serious problem in recent years, and currently, thousands of known virus programs exist.

Viruses can be categorized as boot sector viruses, file viruses, and Trojan horse viruses. A boot sector virus infects the boot program used to start the system. When the infected boot program executes, the virus is loaded into the computer's memory. Once a virus is in the memory, it can spread to any floppy disk inserted into the computer. The second type of virus, a file virus, inserts viral code into program files. The virus then spreads to any program that accesses the infected file. A Trojan horse virus (named after a Greek myth) hides within or is designed to look like a legitimate program.

Some viruses interrupt processing by freezing a computer system temporarily and then displaying sounds or messages. Other viruses contain time bombs or logic bombs. A time bomb is a program that performs an activity on a particular date. A logic bomb is a program that performs an activity when a certain action occurs, such as an employee being terminated. A worm, which is similar to a virus, copies itself repeatedly until no memory or disc space remains. To detect computer viruses, anti-virus programs have been developed. Besides detecting viruses, anti-virus programs also have utilities to remove or repair infected programs and files. Some damaged files cannot be repaired and must be replaced with uninfected backup files.

Computers can best be protected by installing a virus protection software. In order to be effective, it is imperative to develop a regular plan for copying and storing important data and program files. Prior to running the virus protection software, floppy disks should be scanned using a virus scan. Since one of the most vulnerable points of entry for viruses is the internet, all programs and email messages downloaded from the Internet should be checked to make sure they are virus free.    1 
 1. The passage provides support for which of the following statements?

A. Computer owners who use virus protection applications properly are more likely not to suffer damages from computer viruses.
B. Computer owners who use virus protection applications properly will not suffer damages from computer viruses.
C. Computer owners who use virus protection applications properly are more likely to suffer damages from computer viruses.
D. Some damaged files can be repaired so must not be replaced with uninfected backup files.
E. Some damaged files cannot be repaired and must be replaced with infected backup files.

2 
 2. According to the passage, a worm is

A. a virus that copies itself repeatedly until no memory or disc Space remains.
B. a virus that cannot be detected by an anti-virus program.
C. something similar to a virus that works by copying itself repeatedly until no memory or disc space remains.
D. something similar to a virus that uses a logic bomb to performs an activity when a certain action occurs.
E. an anti-virus program that works by copying itself repeatedly until no memory or disc space remains.

3 
 3. According to the passage, computer viruses can spread by which of the following means?

I. Through boot programs
II. Through floppy disks
III. Through programs downloaded from the Internet

A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. II and III only
E. I and II and III

4 
 4. According to the passage, a virus that inserts viral code into program files is a

A. Trojan horse virus
B. time bomb
C. worm
D. file virus
E. boot sector virus.

RC Butler 2022  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 27 Date: 18-Jan-2022
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2022 .  Click here for Details

Source: Reading Comprehension Practice

Akhileshsinghlit · Answer

For Que 3:

Para 2 says: "A boot sector virus infects the boot program used to start the system."

So why are we neglecting option. I) Through boot program

In my opinion answer should be E.

Nishuchoudhary12 · Answer

Posted from my mobile device

100mitra · Answer

Paraphrasing:   
  Para 1:   Brief, about how serious harm could be by computer software Virus?
  Para 2:   categorization of viruses: Boot Virus, File virus, and Trojan horse virus
  Para 3:   Behaviour of virus and detection by anti-virus or replace by uninfected back up files.
  Para 4:   Solutions to save computer from virus.

1. The passage provides support for which of the following statements?  
  Explanation:   as mentioned in the passage, 
“Computers can best be protected by installing a virus protection software” but no 100% full proof, as there are other ways of virus enter in the computer like Internet, floppy disc, or corrupt files etc, it might bring down the chances of virus damaging the computer virus.

A. Computer owners who use virus protection applications properly 
are more likely not to suffer damages from computer viruses – Correct

B. Computer owners who use virus protection applications properly 
will not suffer damages from computer viruses   – Wrong, as explained above

C. Computer owners who use virus protection applications properly 
are more likely to suffer damages from computer viruses   – Wrong, it’s the opposite, which is needed.

For D, and E, as mentioned in the passage,  
“Some damaged files cannot be repaired and must be replaced with uninfected backup files”
D. Some damaged files can be repaired so must not be replaced with uninfected backup files.   - Wrong  
E. Some damaged files cannot be repaired and must be replaced with infected backup files   – Wrong

2. According to the passage, a worm is  
As mentioned in the passage, 
“ A worm, which is similar to a virus, copies itself repeatedly until no memory or disc space remains ”

A. a virus that copies itself repeatedly until no memory or disc Space remains.   - Wrong  
B. a virus that cannot be detected by an anti-virus program    - Wrong  
  C. something similar to a virus that works by copying itself repeatedly until no memory or disc space remains -Correct  
D. something similar to a virus that uses a logic bomb to performs an activity when a certain action occurs    - Wrong  
E. an anti-virus program that works by copying itself repeatedly until no memory or disc space remains    - Wrong

3. According to the passage, computer viruses can spread by which of the following means?  
I. Through boot programs – 
 A boot sector virus infects the boot program used to start the system. 
When the infected boot program executes, the virus is loaded into the computer's memory 
 Here virus is not spread, virus is formed, Trap! 
II. Through floppy disks – 
 Once a virus is in the memory, it can spread to any floppy disk inserted into the computer. 
III. Through programs downloaded from the Internet – 
 Since one of the most vulnerable points of entry for viruses is the internet, 
all programs and email messages downloaded from the Internet

A. I only   – Wrong  
B. II only   – Wrong  
C. I and II only   – Wrong  
  D. II and III only - Correct  
E. I and II and III   – Wrong

4. According to the passage, a virus that inserts viral code into program files is a  
  Explanation:   as mentioned in the passage, 
“Once a virus is in the memory, it can spread to any floppy disk inserted into the computer. 
  The second type of virus  ,  a file virus, inserts viral code into program files . 
The virus then spreads to any program that accesses the infected file.”

A. Trojan horse virus   - Wrong  
B. time bomb   - Wrong  
C. worm   - Wrong  
  D. file virus - Correct  
E. boot sector virus   - Wrong

hydr01 · Answer

"Besides detecting viruses, anti-virus programs also have utilities to remove or repair infected programs and files. Some damaged files cannot be repaired and must be replaced with uninfected backup files."

^these last 2 sentences at the end of Paragraph #3 make me think that D is a plausible answer for Question 3. Where am I going wrong here, is A just more explicitly stated in the passage?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OA to question #3 is indeed D.

hydr01 · Answer

My bad, I meant Question 1!

Sajjad1994 · Answer

The passage provides support for statement A: "Computer owners who use virus protection applications properly are more likely not to suffer damages from computer viruses."

The passage explains that viruses are potentially damaging computer programs that can destroy or corrupt data, and that thousands of virus programs exist. It also describes how viruses can infect computers through various methods, including floppy disks and the internet. The passage recommends installing virus protection software and regularly backing up important data and program files as ways to protect against viruses. It also mentions that anti-virus programs can detect and remove or repair infected programs and files.

Therefore, the passage supports the idea that using virus protection software properly can help prevent damage from computer viruses. However, it does not guarantee complete protection or imply that computer owners who do not use virus protection applications will necessarily suffer damages from computer viruses.

hydr01 · Answer

"To detect computer viruses, anti-virus programs have been developed. Besides detecting viruses, anti-virus programs also have utilities to remove or repair infected programs and files. Some damaged files cannot be repaired and must be replaced with uninfected backup files."

-> but don't these lines from the passage provide support for D?
-> Idk how objective this question can be since I think the passage provides support for both A and D. Maybe a better question would have been: what statement does the passage provide the BEST support for?

Prob2303 · Answer

Hi Sajjad,

Can I get the OE for Q3?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. According to the passage, computer viruses can spread by which of the following means?

Explanation

According to the passage, viruses can affect boot programs, but they cannot spread through them.

Answer: D

For alternative explanation,  click here

A computer virus is an illegal and potentially damaging computer prog

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

A computer virus is an illegal and potentially damaging computer prog

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