1D0-61A · Question #9
Which of the following strategies will help protect your computer against virus attacks?
The correct answer is C. Update the definitions for your malware protection application frequently. Updating malware definitions frequently (C) is the most direct defense against viruses because antivirus software can only detect and block threats it recognizes - outdated definitions leave you blind to new malware strains released daily. Why the others are wrong: A - Backups…
Question
Which of the following strategies will help protect your computer against virus attacks?
Options
- APerform regular backups of your hard drive.
- BOpen e-mail attachments only from unknown senders.
- CUpdate the definitions for your malware protection application frequently.
- DConfigure security settings for your Web browser to the lowest possible level.
How the community answered
(43 responses)- A5% (2)
- B5% (2)
- C88% (38)
- D2% (1)
Explanation
Updating malware definitions frequently (C) is the most direct defense against viruses because antivirus software can only detect and block threats it recognizes - outdated definitions leave you blind to new malware strains released daily.
Why the others are wrong:
- A - Backups help you recover from an attack but do nothing to prevent infection in the first place.
- B - This is the opposite of safe practice; attachments from unknown senders are a primary virus delivery mechanism. You should be cautious even with known senders.
- D - Lower browser security settings increase vulnerability by allowing malicious scripts and downloads to run unchecked.
Memory tip: Think of antivirus definitions like a "Most Wanted" list - if the list isn't updated, new criminals walk right past security. "Frequent updates = current threat list."
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Prof. SaraApr 27, 2026C is your answer. Antivirus and antimalware software relies on definition files, essentially a database of known threat signatures, to detect and block malicious code, so updating those definitions frequently ensures your protection keeps pace with new and emerging viruses.
Wesley A.Apr 27, 2026Solid explanation, and worth adding that signature-based detection alone has a blind spot for zero-day threats and polymorphic malware, which is why modern endpoint tools pair those definition updates with heuristic and behavior-based analysis to catch threats that have no signature yet.
Nina C.Apr 20, 2026Okay so I actually picked A first because backups feel so important and I kept thinking "protect your data, protect your data," but then I caught myself, backups help you recover after an attack, not prevent one from happening in the first place. C is the right call because virus definitions are basically the list your antivirus checks against, and if that list is outdated, brand new malware just walks right past it undetected. Updating definitions frequently means your protection actually knows what to look for. Glad I slowed down on this one because A sounded so reasonable at first glance.
Wesley A.Apr 3, 2026Honestly my first instinct was A because backups feel protective, but backups only save your data after damage is done, they do nothing to stop the virus from running in the first place. The question is asking about protecting against attacks, not recovering from them, and that distinction is what tripped me up the first time I sat this exam. C is correct because antivirus software is only as good as its current definitions, and an outdated database will miss anything discovered after the last update. Think of it like a bouncer with a year-old photo list, new threats walk right in.
Orla P.Apr 30, 2026I almost picked A, but backups recover data, they don't block infections; fresh definitions catch new threats.
Prof. SaraMay 3, 2026Orla nails the core distinction, though it is worth noting that an offline or air-gapped backup strategy does indirectly limit ransomware spread by removing the attacker's leverage, so backups earn partial credit in a defense-in-depth chain even if they are not a detection or prevention control.