1.5.2 Utility Software

Question 1

What is the purpose of Utility Software?

Answer 1

• Utility software/programs are dedicated to the maintenance and organisation of a computer system.
• They run additional tasks that are not performed by OS:
  
  • Encryption Software
  • Defragmentation
  • Data compression

Question 2

What is encryption software?

Answer 2

• Encryption software uses an algorithm to scramble plain text into cipher text.
• The text can only be decrypted and made readable again with a key so it cannot be understood if intercepted by unauthorised users.

Question 3

What is defragmentation?

Answer 3

Defragmentation is used to reorganise the files that have become fragmented over time.

Question 4

How does fragmentation happen?

Answer 4

Defragmentation puts all of the free space together and all of the same parts of the same file together

Question 5

What is data compression?

Answer 5

• A utility that reduces the size of a file so it takes up less space and is quicker to download over the internet
• Depending on the file lossy or lossless algorithm is used