UTILITY

UTILITY PROGRAM

UTILITY PROGRAM ARE system software that assists users with controlling

or maintaining the operation of a computer, its

devices, or its software. Utility programs typically

offer features that provide an environment con-

ducive to successful use of application software.

For example, utility programs protect a computer

against malicious software and unauthorized

intrusions, manage files and disks, compress files,

play media files, and burn optical discs. (To learn

more about how to compress files, complete the

Learn How To 3 activity on page 189.)

One of the more important utility programs

protects a computer against malicious software,

or malware, which is a program that acts with-

out a user’s knowledge and deliberately alters the

computer’s operations. A computer virus is a type

of malicious software. For a technical discussion

about viruses and other malicious software, read

the High-T Talk article on page 178. Chapter 8

ech

discusses system software and utility programs in

more depth.