Utility Software

Question 1

What is utility software?

Answer 1

Software that is used for the maintainance and organisation of the computer by helping the OS

Question 2

Why is encryption software?

Answer 2

Software that disguises data using an algorithm so only authorised users can understand it - have a key to decrypt the code

Question 3

What is the purpose of defragmentation?

Answer 3

Files on the hard disk are moved to make available space so that files are stored together in order this is so that fewer disk access is needed.

Question 4

Why might a computer run faster after defragmentation software has run

Answer 4

It takes less time to access the file because data is stored together in order so the HDD doesn’t need to move far in order to read the next piece of data because it will be in the next memory location.

Question 5

Give three examples of utility programs(3)

Answer 5

Encryption (1) Compression(1) Firewall(1) anti-virus(1)

Question 6

How does compression software reduce file size?

Answer 6

Uses an algorithm to remove repeated or unnecessary data. Could be lossy or lossless. Lossy permanently removes data while lossless means that the original file will be restored.

Question 7

List 3 things that you can do with file management utility(3)

Answer 7

Place files in folders(1) rename folders(1) delete files(1) create folders(1)