Utility Programs
- Created by: Noye
- Created on: 25-05-13 10:13
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- Utility Programs
- Maintainence
- System Information and Diagnosis
- Usually provided with the OS
- Gives information that will help diagnose problems with the computer
- Gives information on the hardware and statistics about its use
- Automatic Updating
- Regularly checks the internet for software updates, which will be downloaded and installed
- System Clean-up Tools
- Searches for and deletes files that are no longer needed
- e.g. software installation files, temporary files created when files are moved around
- Corrects errors in settings and deletes ones that are no longer needed
- Regular use will free up disk space, speed up system boot and improve performance
- Searches for and deletes files that are no longer needed
- System Information and Diagnosis
- Security
- Antivirus
- A virus is a program installed on a computer without the user's knowledge or permission and with the intention of causing harm
- It replicates automatically on computers and in a network
- A virus is a program installed on a computer without the user's knowledge or permission and with the intention of causing harm
- Spyware Protection
- Spyware programs secretly record what you do your computer
- They are used to capture passwords, bank details and keywords
- Spyware protection utilities run in the background and prevent spyware programs installing
- Regularly updates itself via the internet to ensure up-to-date database
- Legitimate spyware uses are watching an employee/student's computer and parental control
- Spyware programs secretly record what you do your computer
- Firewall
- Blocks access onto a PC or network from the interent
- This is done using factors such as: the computer's address, the type of traffic, specific website etc.
- Firewalls work both ways: e.g. blocking categories of websites on a school network
- Most OS include firewall utilities, but they can also be bought separately or downloaded free online
- Many banks provide firewall software for customers using internet banking services
- Blocks access onto a PC or network from the interent
- Antivirus
- Disk Organisation
- File Transfer and Management
- Provides a logical view of how files are organised on the hard disk: e.g. Windows Explorer
- Disk Defragmenter
- Files become fragmented when parts of them are stored in different places on the disk, which isn't very efficient
- The disk defrag moves the parts so they are stored together. This improves access speed.
- It also groups free disk space so files can be stored together
- Optimises disk performance
- Files become fragmented when parts of them are stored in different places on the disk, which isn't very efficient
- Formatting
- All storage media needs formatting
- Hard disks are formatted by the operating system
- Portable storage devices are bought already formatted
- File Transfer and Management
- Definition: Programs included in the operating system which are not essential for the computer to work, but make it easier to use it and provide housekeeping functionality
- Maintainence
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