How Safe is Your PC$?$

Today's computer viruses no longer rely on email to spread; they can be contracted by downloading games or visiting certain websites. The hackers who create them are getting more prolific. A few have evolved over the past decade from simply being disruptive, to engaging in criminal activities $($mostly taking personal credit card numbers or hijacking corporate data$)$ which can add up to significant costs for consumers and corporations. At the same time, computer hardware sales are being boosted from the increase in viruses since infected machines are often rendered unusable. Plus, the computer security business is booming. These companies develop 'patches' $($new software that can protect unaffected computers$)$ after isolating the digital DNA of new virus strains. Other offerings include preventative applications that stop data leaving a computer if it is attacked.

Based on the website column, which one of the following would be the most likely outcome if the number of hackers increases?

Computer hardware sales would decrease

More unique 'patches' would be developed

Home computing would decline