1、lts of operations. 14 Computer viruses may cause our systems to incur delays or interruptions. Computer viruses may cause our systems to incur delays or other service interruptions and could damage our reputation that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and oper
2、ating results. The inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could expose us to a material risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. Our systems continuing and uninterrupted performance is critical to our success. Customers and job seekers may become dissatisfied by any system failure th
3、at interrupts our ability to provide our services to them, including failures affecting our ability to serve Web page requests without significant delay to the viewer. Sustained or repeated system failures would reduce the attractiveness of our solutions to customers and job seekers and result in re
4、duced traffic or contract terminations, fee rebates and make goods, thereby reducing revenues. Moreover, if a computer virus affecting our system is highly publicized, our reputation could be materially damaged and our visitor traffic may decrease. Our markets are highly competitive. The markets for
5、 our services are highly competitive. They are characterized by pressures to: reduce prices; incorporate new capabilities and technologies; and accelerate job completion schedules. Furthermore, we face competition from a number of sources. These sources include: national and regional advertising age
6、ncies; Internet portals; specialized and integrated marketing communication firms; traditional media companies; executive search firms; and professional staffing firms. In addition, many advertising agencies and publications have started either to internally develop or acquire new media capabilities
7、, including utilizing the Internet. We are also competing with established companies that provide integrated specialized services like website advertising services or website design, and are technologically proficient. Many of our competitors or potential competitors have long operating histories, a
8、nd some may have greater financial, management, technological development, sales, marketing and other resources than we do. In addition, our ability to maintain our existing clients and attract new clients depends to a large degree on the quality of our services and our reputation among our clients
9、and potential clients. Due to competition, we may experience reduced margins on our products and services, loss of market share or less use of Monster by job seekers and our customers. If we are not able to compete effectively with current or future competitors as a result of these and other factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We have no significant proprietary technology that would preclude or inhibit competitors from entering the online advertising,