1.5.2 - Utility software

• Software designed to help maintain and enhance a computer system. • Keeps it organised and secure. • Utility software is needed to perform additional tasks that may not be carried out by an operating system. (+housekeeping tasks)

• Encryption software • Defragmentation • Data compression

• Encryption software is where data is scrambled up into a code before being sent across a network so they are unreadable if intercepted. • Encryption takes plain text into cipher text using an encryption key. • This protects sensitive data and keeps files and data safe even if stolen or intercepted.

• Defragmentation software takes the fragmented files and rearranges the segments so that they can run contiguously. • Defragmentation is needed because files become fragmented over time which slows down file access speed therefore defragmentation speeds up performance as it decreases read/write time. • takes place on HDD’s

• Data compression software reduces the size of files. • This means less storage space is used which speeds up file transfer and reduces download time.