Utility Programs

• Virus checkers are small programmes that can self-replicate and delete/modify imports from files. They looks for malware ‘clues’ (heuristic checking) or recognise it from a database of known viruses. They run in the background and need to be updated regularly. Once infected files are discoveed they are quarantined and deleted
• Defragmenters tidy up the hard drive disk as it begins to reach maximum capacity. Rearranges blocks of data so that they become contiguous by removing space leftover from earlier deletions. Frees up disk space and makes locating data faster
• Disk repair software verifies if an error has been found on the disk, and tries to correct it is possible. The repair process removes or bypasses damaged/corrupted data/disk sectors and links the remaining blocks together to allow files to be read
• File compression can be either lossy or lossless
• In lossy file compression, the original file can’t be reconstructed following compression
• In lossless file compression the original file can be reconstructed, but the compressed files are larger than lossy compressed files
• Back up software is essential in case files/data become corrupted or lost. These are either automatic or user initiated. Many OS allow a user to restore a computer’s status to a point in the past using backed up data
• Security systems manage access to a computer. Links in other software like virus checkers and firewalls and uses a firewall to protect a computer when automatic software updates are requested. Uses encryption to safeguard data
• Screen savers are moving or still images on a computer that are initiated after a period of inactivity. Screensavers are part of security systems as they oog out a user after the computer has been left unlocked without activity for a set time. Often used to active background tasks like virus scans, when intiated
• Utility programs are software tools that allow the user and computer to do specific tasks to maintain the computer