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Software utilities are used on computers to help the system and keep it running in fine order. The software programs purpose is to allow the system to do many things more efficiently than the user go through and do them manually themselves, the programs go through instead and help analyse, configure, optimize and maintain itself. Usually focusing on how the computers infrastructure operates, due to this focus utilities are generally thought of as high tech these include programs which serve as Virus protection utilities and other tools which help you maintain a healthy system free from unnessacery hoarding of files, known as clean up tools.

I will here explain both Virus protection utilities and clean up tools, describing how they work, what they do & why it is important that they do it.

Ø Disk clean up utilities

When the Disk is full this type of utility helps go through files that are unnessacery or that take up a large amounts of space by scanning the entire computer quickly assessing the disk space usage of all files.

Reasons why this is used;

First of all, whenever you do something on a computer be it access the internet create documents, add folders, download music, install a new program or change something etc. you are adding more and more files to the computer’s hard drive, these items are then rarely ever touched again, and remain on the computer therefore the disk space is continuously being taken up with small files and programs. If the disk space is largely taken up by small files it starts to build up and whenever you find yourself looking for something or trying to access certain parts of the hard drive because of all the little bits it has to go through this can have a slowing up effect on the search taking valuable time from the user.

Here is how you avoid these potential problems;

Many people think of the disk clean up processes as “time consuming” and “unnessacery” however, they are very much the opposite, after the 1^st check which may take some time, doing regular one thereafter will ensure your system is running to its full potential, and future tests will therefore be faster as you will not of built up so much data.

Starting the process is quite easy, using a simple program such as Microsoft Windows Installer Clean-up Utility, which is free to download from the Microsoft website, open it up and install it’s package, Then  find the program, start it up and follow the on screen instructions.

Ø Anti-Virus Utilities

Antivirus utilities are used on computers to scan files to identify and eliminate viruses and other malicious software, and example of this is Malware.

The virus programs have two main ways of checking for bad files/hackers, the first of these is examining all files for known viruses by means of a virus dictionary almost. The author of the software is responsible for the dictionary and so if they have put in a specific type of file in the dictionary as being seen as a virus the program will pick up on that particular piece of code in a file when it is found and point it out to you, so that you may take appropriate actions to remove the threat. In some cases the virus program will destroy/quarantine harmful files automatically it all depends on how you have set it up. In a basic view of this kind, the virus program stops potential threats.

In today’s world, new viruses are made every day. New codes and more relentless hackers attempting to gain entry to yet more things that aren’t theirs this type of anti-virus requires daily updates because in some cases by the time you’ve updated it, another virus type has been made. This also means that a virus program can never be 100% protecting over your system.

A particular type of new virus has come about which attempts to disguise itself against the anti-virus software, this illegal piece of technology tries to get a step ahead of protection programs in such a way. “Polymorphic viruses” encrypt themselves, and modify themselves as a method of avoiding detection by changing its signature the dictionary type of software cannot then find it.

The other kind of virus detection is a rather different approach, this kind does not search for files and codes, it simply knows what each normal, legal program does and watches over the programs as they write data, if the anti-virus software detects something happen that it doesn’t think should it will alert the user of the attempted changes. This view of anti-virus software stops the virus from changing files. By contrast this is a far easier more efficient way of virus protection as you do not have to scan all your files which can be a lengthy process, however you are not getting the same quality of service, the latter is more reliable when trying to ensure the safety of your systems files.

Most offer both types of virus protection so choosing between the two isn’t an issue, running regular checks of your computer and having the virus software constantly running which browsing the internet is the safest bet as you will be notified if one of either is breached.

But why do we use these types of program?

If a hacker gains access to your computer they can do anything to your system from accessing sensitive files, stealing important work/files, copying software, re-writing programs and planting no end of bugs that will corrupt your data and render your computer useless. The hacker can literally change anything they like, and can potentially make your life hell if they manage to get hold of the right files.