How do computer viruses and malware infect and affect computers, and what measures can users take to protect their systems from such threats?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Infecting and Affecting Computers: Computer Viruses and Malware
Computer viruses and malware pose significant threats to the security and functionality of computer systems. They can infect computers through various means and have detrimental effects on system performance, data integrity, and user privacy. Taking proactive measures is crucial for users to protect their systems from these threats. Here is an overview of how viruses and malware infect and affect computers, along with recommended measures for protection.
Infection Methods
Email Attachments: Viruses and malware often spread through malicious email attachments that users unknowingly download and open. These attachments may appear legitimate, but they contain executable files that install malicious software on the computer.
Phishing Attacks: Phishing emails or websites attempt to trick users into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware. Users may be lured into clicking on links or downloading files that appear to be from reputable sources but are actually malicious.
Infected Software: Downloading software or files from untrusted sources can expose users to viruses and malware. Software cracks, keygens, or pirated content often contain hidden malware, increasing the risk of infection.
Drive-by Downloads: Visiting compromised websites can lead to automatic downloads of malicious files without the user’s knowledge or consent. These drive-by downloads exploit vulnerabilities in web browsers, plugins, or the operating system itself.
Removable Media: USB drives, external hard drives, or other removable media can carry viruses or malware. When connected to an infected computer, these devices can spread the malicious software to other systems.
Effects on Computers
Performance Issues: Viruses and malware can significantly slow down system performance by consuming resources like CPU, memory, and network bandwidth. This results in sluggishness, freezing, or crashes.
Data Loss or Corruption: Some malware can delete or modify files, leading to data loss or corruption. Ransomware can encrypt files and demand a ransom for decryption, putting valuable data at risk.
Privacy Breaches: Malware can spy on users by capturing keystrokes, stealing login credentials, or monitoring online activities. This compromises user privacy and exposes sensitive information.
System Instability: Certain viruses or malware can modify system settings, corrupt files, or interfere with critical processes, leading to system instability, error messages, or even system failures.
Protection Measures
Use Antivirus Software: Install reputable antivirus software and keep it up to date. Regularly scan your system for viruses and malware to detect and remove any threats.
Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, web browsers, plugins, and other software to patch security vulnerabilities that malware often exploits.
Exercise Caution with Email: Be cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links, especially from unknown senders or suspicious emails. Verify the source before downloading any attachments.
Beware of Phishing: Be vigilant about phishing attempts. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information unless you are certain of the source’s legitimacy.
Download from Trusted Sources: Only download software, files, or media from reputable sources. Avoid pirated content or untrusted websites that may host infected files.
Enable Firewall Protection: Activate the built-in firewall on your operating system or install a third-party firewall to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic.
Regular Backups: Create regular backups of important files and store them in separate locations. This ensures that even if your system is infected, you can restore your data to a clean state.
Exercise Safe Web Browsing: Be cautious when visiting websites, especially those with suspicious or untrustworthy content. Consider using browser extensions that block known malicious websites.
Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest threats and security best practices. Educate yourself about common attack vectors and how to recognize potential threats.
In conclusion, computer viruses and malware can infect computers through various means and have detrimental effects on system performance, data integrity, and user privacy. To protect their systems, users should adopt proactive measures such as using antivirus software, keeping software updated, exercising caution with email and downloads, enabling firewalls, regular backups, safe web browsing practices, and staying informed about the latest threats. By implementing these measures, users can significantly reduce the risk of infection and ensure the security of their computer systems.
