Utility Software

Encryption Defragmentation Data compression Backup Disk clean-up

Helps in configuring and maintaining the computer or device

Disguises the contents of files so they can only be understood by authorised users

The software uses an algorithm to scramble the content so that it is unreadable

When files are saved to a magnetic hard disk, they are stored in the next available space. This leads to files being split into fragments which takes longer to access as the drive head has to move more.

Defragmentation software takes the fragmented files and rearranges the segments so that they run contiguosly.

It decreases the read/write time, therefore speeding up computer performance

Reduces the size of a file stored on secondary storage

No performance benefit. No additional time cost in fetching pieces of data from different places Solid-state drives wear out. Writing to SSDs causes it to degrade slightly, unlike reading. So the more you write to an SSD, the shorter its lifespan will be.

Smaller files are easier to transmit across a network because they require fewer packets to be sent. A reduced size means that more files can be stored in a given area of storage

A user could accidentally delete/overwrite a file A hard disk could fail and prevent access to files stored on it A hacker could deliberately delete/overwrite data

Full backup Incremental backup

Involves making a copy of every file on the computer/network

Require a lot of storage space Can be time consuming to make

Takes a copy of any new files created since the last backup, or any files that have been recently edited