Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumStatement and Assumptions

Consider the following statement and the two assumptions that follow it.

Statement:
"The National Cyber Security Agency advises all smartphone users to install the latest OS update immediately to patch a critical vulnerability that could allow hackers to access personal data."

Assumptions:
I. At least some smartphone users will pay attention to this advisory and update their operating systems.
II. Hackers have already successfully stolen personal data from users who have not yet installed this update.

Based on the given statement, which of the following options is correct?

  1. Only assumption I is implicitAnswer
  2. B
    Only assumption II is implicit
  3. C
    Both assumptions I and II are implicit
  4. D
    Neither assumption I nor II is implicit

Answer

The option stating that only assumption I is implicit is the correct answer. Issuing a public advisory inherently assumes that people will heed it, whereas the statement does not assume a hack has already occurred.
Assumption I is valid because the very act of issuing a public advisory fundamentally relies on the premise that the target audience will pay attention and take the suggested action. Assumption II is invalid because the statement only identifies a potential vulnerability ('could allow' access) and does not assume that hackers have already successfully exploited it to steal data.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the nature and purpose of the given statement.
The statement is a public advisory issued by a government agency urging action (installing an update) to prevent a negative outcome (data theft).
Identifying the type of statement helps in determining its underlying logical premises.
2
Evaluate Assumption I against the statement.
Assumption I states that some users will follow the advisory. This is implicitly assumed.
Any public notice, warning, or advisory is issued under the fundamental assumption that it will be read and acted upon by at least a portion of the target audience. Otherwise, issuing it would be pointless.
3
Evaluate Assumption II against the statement.
Assumption II claims that hackers have already stolen data. This is not implicitly assumed.
The statement uses the phrase 'could allow hackers to access', indicating a potential future risk or vulnerability. It does not state or assume that the vulnerability has already been actively exploited.

Key Concept

Identifying implicit premises in public advisories and distinguishing them from unstated inferences or factual exaggerations.
Rate this question

Topics

Statement and Assumptions

More questions from this topic