Question

It's even more important these days that your computer be protected by a firewall. There are criminal elements lurking in the shadows of cyberspace who send out probes to detect unprotected PCs. Once a vulnerable computer is found, these criminals install software that assists them in committing identity theft and fencing stolen IDs. They also defraud online advertisers by using these zombie computers to visit pay-per-click ads

a. Argument, conclusion: Once a vulnerable computer ... fencing stolen IDs.
b. Nonargument.
c. Argument; conclusion: They also defraud... to visit pay-per-click ads.
d. Argument;

Answer 1

d). Argument; conclusion: It's even more important ... protected by a firewall.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given excerpt, the argument and the conclusion that the author deduces is 'the increased importance of safeguarding your PCs with a firewall.' The argument is logically supported by the proper evidence in order to show the probable threats associated with keeping your computers unprotected('identity theft, fencing stolen Ids, defraud, etc). These factual descriptions substantiate the author's claim and justify his deduction that it is a must to keep your computers safe using a firewall in order to prevent these crimes. Thus, option d is the correct answer.