What type of software is typically used to manage interactions between hardware and software?

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Prepare for the Operating System Security Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your test!

Device drivers are a type of software that specifically facilitate communication between the operating system and hardware devices. They act as intermediaries, translating the high-level commands from the operating system into device-specific instructions that the hardware can understand and respond to. This ensures that various hardware components—like printers, graphics cards, or storage devices—work seamlessly with the software applications and the operating system.

In contrast, utilities are software programs designed to perform specific tasks related to system maintenance and management but do not directly interact with hardware in the way that device drivers do. Phishing tools are malicious software aimed at deceiving users to obtain sensitive information, which is not related to managing hardware interactions. File managers are applications that help users organize and manage files and directories within the operating system, but they also do not serve the primary function of managing interactions between hardware and software. Hence, device drivers are the correct choice for managing these interactions.