Software Flashcards
Adware
A program that repeatedly and disruptively displays
advertisements on a user’s computer.
Anti-malware
A utility that searches for and removes any malware on a
computer.
Antivirus
A utility that searches for and removes any viruses on a
computer.
Custom-written software
Software that is produced on commission, specifically for
a user.
Device driver
System software that is used by the operating system to
contol peripheral devices.
Disk formatting
Initialising a disk for storage by identifying the data
blocks on the disk and creating the file allocation table.
File allocation table
An index of all the files that are stored on a disk and their
allocation. It also keeps a record of free space on the disk.
File management software
Utilities that allow the user to perform common
operations on files such as copying, deleting and moving.
File transfer protocol (ftp)
An agreed system and set of rules that allow different
programs to transfer files across different computers over
the internet.
Firewall
A utility or device that monitors the traffic between a
computer and the internet and only allows connections
that are authorised.
Malware
Any program, such as viruses, worms, trojans and
adware, that are designed to be harmful to the computer
on which they are run.
Memory management
A function of the operating system that involves
allocating memory to programs and data which are
being used.
Multi-tasking
A function of the operating system, where the processor
is made to appear to perform several tasks at the same
time by switching rapidly between the tasks.
Off-the-shelf software
General purpose software that is produced first and then
made available for customers to buy.
Open-source software
Software where the developer makes the source code
available and gives the user permission to copy and
change the program.
Operating system
System software that controls the overall running of
the computer. It provides a platfom on which all other
programs run.
Peripheral
A hardware device that is connected to the computer.
Peripheral management
A function of the operating system that involves ensuring
that all the peripherals which are connected to the
computer are working as they should.
Proprietary software
Software where the developer is protecting their
copyright and restricts the licence. The source code is not provided and users are typically not allowed to change or copy the program.
Repository
A one-stop server which contains updates for many
programs and drivers so that an update utility only needs
to check the repository for all available updates.
Software licence
The permissions that the software developer allows the
user of the software.
Spyware
A program that runs silently on a user’s computer and
collects personal data from it which it makes available to
other users.
System diagnosis utility
A utility that scans the computer for common faults and
problems and presents the results (and suggestions for
the solution) to the user.
System information utility
A utility that displays information about the performance
of the hardware on a computer.
System software
Software that enables the program to operate.
System update tool
A utility that checks for new, improved versions of
software from the Internet and downloads and installs
them.
Trojan
A malware program that runs silently on a user’s
computer and enables another user to connect to the
computer and take control of it.
User interface
The tools provided by the operating system to allow
the computer and the user to give instructions to the
computer and receive and understand the results.
Utility
Systems software that performs a common
maintenancece task.
Virus
A malware program that attaches itself to files and is
designed to spread within a computer and to other
computers, usually causing the computer to become
unreliable.
Worm
A malware program that uses the resources of the
computer in which it is installed to spread to other
computers and cause the computers to become
unreliable. (Unlike a virus, a worm does not attach itself
to files.)
