Question: During a heated debate between the developers of a computer virus protection program, the subjects of design and the interactive characteristics of the user interface arose. The head programmer contradicted a statement presented by the GUI designer completely by stating that since the results of a consumer poll conducted by the company earlier that month had revealed that most private computer users preferred to not be annoyed by pop-up windows or other system alerts while using programs, the new interface should be created in a way that makes it almost invisible, as to avoid disturbing the users. Based on the programmer's reasoning, it is quite clear that the GUI designer's viewpoint is flawed.
Which of the following, if true, calls the argument's conclusion into question?
(A) The fact that thousands of new computer viruses are released onto the internet every day is well-known by most users meaning that there would not be any harm in creating a virus protection program that refrained from notifying the user about every prevented infection.
(B) Since most users use an average of three programs simultaneously for 70% of the time they spend working on a computer, alerts and other system interruptions can disrupt workflow and occupy precious memory resources needed by the computer to function optimally.
(C) There is more than a sufficient amount of evidence to prove that the idea that computer viruses are created by companies that sell computer virus protection programs is completely fictitious.
(D) Because of a rise in the public's awareness of the threat of computer viruses and the damage that they can inflict, most users now need to feel that there is some form of active mechanism constantly at work to ensure their computers' protection.
(E) The method of manually enabling a protection program once a day to scan for any infections while preventing the agitation caused by alert messages from a virus protection program is ineffective since some viruses can do considerable damage in the time-frame between scans.
“During a heated debate between the developers of a computer virus” - is a GMAT question about critical thinking. A candidate may choose to either find evidence that would undermine the argument or present an argument that is illogical in order to respond to the question. The GMAT critical reasoning gauges a candidate's aptitude for logic and analysis. Candidates must identify the argument's advantages and disadvantages as well as its logical flaws for this topic. Out of the 36 GMAT verbal questions, 10–13 critical reasoning questions are found.
Answer: (D)
Explanation: The topics of design and the interactive features of user interface came up during an argument between creators of a computer virus protection programme. The company earlier that month conducted a consumer survey. It revealed that most private computer users preferred not to be bothered by pop-up windows or other system alerts while using programmes. The head programmer stated that the new interface should be created in a way that makes it almost invisible in order to avoid disturbing the users. This directly contradicted a statement made by the GUI designer. It is obvious from the programmer's justification that the GUI designer's point of view is incorrect.
To determine the best answer, let's examine each option in exclusion. The best answer will contain a claim that, if true, casts doubt on the argument's conclusion.
Option – A : Incorrect
This option states that most users are aware that thousands of new computer viruses are released onto the internet every day. So it would not be harmful to develop a virus protection programme that did not alert the user to every infection that was prevented. This description runs counter to the concept of an alerting mechanism. Therefore, this option is ruled out.
Option – B : Incorrect
According to this option, alerts and other system interruptions can impede work and take up valuable memory that the computer needs to operate at its best. This is because most users run three programmes at once on average for 70% of the time they spend using a computer. This description runs counter to the concept of an alerting mechanism. Therefore, this option is ruled out.
Option – C : Incorrect
This option states that there is more than enough evidence to demonstrate a notion. It is that businesses that sell computer virus protection programmes create computer viruses is entirely fictitious. This is irrelevant and therefore, this option is ruled out.
Option – D : Correct
This option states that people are more aware of the danger posed by computer viruses and the harm they can cause. So most users now need to believe that some sort of proactive mechanism is constantly at work to protect their computers. This option is in favor of the alerting mechanism concept. Therefore this option is the right answer.
Option – E : Incorrect
This option talks about a particular method. That is manually turning on a protection programme once a day to check for infections. This is done while preventing the stress brought on by alert messages from a virus protection programme. This process is ineffective. This is because some viruses can cause significant damage in the intervals between scans. This statement runs counter to the concept of an alerting mechanism. Therefore, this option is ruled out.
From the explanations given above, it is clear that the fourth option is the right choice.
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