Utility Software

• Describe how hard disks become fragmented

  Gaps in the hard disk appear when files are moved, deleted or change size. New files are saved in different gaps
• Utility software is needed to perform additional tasks that may not be carried out by an operating system.
• What is the purpose of utility software?

  Helps maintain and configure a computer
• Utility system software:

  • Encryption software
  • Defragmentation
  • Data compression
• Encryption software

  • Encryption software scrambles (encrypts) data to stop third parties from accessing it.
  • The main benefit of encryption is that intercepted or stolen data is still secure, as only the intended readers of the data can unscramble and understand the data.
  • To decrypt the data, a special "key" is needed. A computer uses the key and a set of instructions to turn the data back into its original form.
  • The strong forms of encryption that are used today are very difficult to crack. Hackers can't use brute force attacks to guess the key.
• Data Compression

  • Compression software reduces the size of files by permanently or temporarily removing data from them.
  • Compressed files take up less disk space and are quicker to download.
  • Standard file formats include .zip and .rar.
  • Compressed files need to be extracted before they can be used.
• Why is defragmentation needed?

  Defragmentation software takes the fragmented files and rearranges the segments so that they run contiguously. This decreases read/write time, thereby speeding up computer performance.
• Defragmentation

  When a file is stored on a hard disk it is actually stored not as a whole file, but as a series of segments. Sometimes the segments run together in sequence and sometimes the segments are split up over a disk. This is known as fragmentation. Over time, more and more files become fragmented, as do individual files. A fragmented disk takes longer to read from and write to, making a computer run slower. This is why defragmentation is needed.
• The computer has an operating system and utility software.

  State the need for utility software in a computer.

  • Performs housekeeping actions
  • Maintains a computer system
  • Help the computer run smoothly
  • To diagnose problems with a computer system