“Allows a user to interact with a computer – e.g., input devices and software.”

“Running multiple applications simultaneously by giving each one a slice of processor time.”

“The management of connected input/output devices such as a mouse, keyboard, webcam, speaker, scanner, printer, etc.”

“Specialised software that communicates with computer hardware to allow other programs to run. The most common operating systems are Windows, Linux, Unix, MacOS and iOS.”

“Turns plaintext data into unreadable ciphertext data using a key. Protects data from being read by hackers.”

“Translates operating system commands into hardware-specific commands – e.g., a printer driver tells the printer how to print a document.”

“A program that performs a specific task relating to the operation of the computer – e.g., backup, virus scan, compression, defragmentation.”

“Files being deleted over time creates gaps on a hard disk. New files fill the gaps but may need more space than the gap provides, resulting in file fragments being spread across the disk. Defragmentation puts file fragments and free space back together in contiguous space, improving access speeds.”

“Reduces the size of a file so it takes up less disk space and is quicker to download over the internet. Compressed files must be extracted before they can be read.”

“Software that manages the computer. Usually supplied with the computer.”