common computer and Internet terms

Explanations of common computer and Internet terms.

 

 

Adware

Advertising program often installed along with other programs

Attachment

A file attached to an e-mail message for sending between computers

Blog

Web log. Personal web page where the author can post their views and experiences and receive comments.

BMP

Bitmap. The most common graphics file type for Windows PCs

Bookmarks

List of your favourite web sites

Browser

Software that displays web pages such as Internet Explorer and Firefox

Compression

A method of reducing the storage space a file takes up. Files must be decompressed to be used again

Cookie

Data that tracks visits to web sites and remembers user preferences

Crash

Occurs when a program causes your computer to stop responding

Demo

Free demonstration version of software that allows you to try before you buy

Directory

An index of web site links arranged in categories

Disk Space

The size of the area on the hard disk where files can be stored

Domain name

URL or Address of a web site on the Internet

Download

Transfer a file from another computer to your own

Driver

Software required for Windows to use a piece of hardware such as a graphics card

E-mail

Electronic mail passed between computers

Favorites

List of your favourite web sites

Firewall

Program or device that blocks or allows Internet access to a network or a PC

Flash

Software to create and play web site animations

Font

Text of a particular size and style

Freeware

Software that is free to download and use for as long as you like

Hardware

Physical parts of a computer system such as the hard disk, keyboard and printer

HTML

HyperText Markup Language. The code that makes up a web page

Home Page

The main page of a web site, often a welcome page

Hyperlink

A text or graphic you click on to go to another page or a different web site

Internet

A collection of inter-connected computer networks

Install

To load and copy program files onto a computer

JPG / JPEG

Compressed graphics file for sending across the Internet

Link

A text or graphic you click on to go to another page or a different web site

Malware

Malicious software such as virus or spyware programs

Modem

Device that links a computer to the Internet through a telephone line

MP3

Compressed audio file to save disk space and for transfer across the Internet

Netiquette

Acceptable behaviour online

Online

Connected to the Internet

Phishing

Fraudulent e-mails and web sites trying to trick you into giving out personal details

Plug-in

Extra programs that can be installed into larger programs to handle special tasks, such as playing certain types of movie files in a browser

Podcast

Internet audio broadcast that can be played back on PCs or MP3 players such as the iPod.

Pop-Up

Small window that appears on a web page, often used for advertisements.

Program

A set of instructions to make a computer carry out a task

Rootkit

Software that hides system files and can allow attackers to access your computer undetected

Router

Device used in home Internet networks to send data from the web to specific computers

RSS

Really Simple Syndication - a system to feed you news stories from web sites

Search Engine

Tool that searches the Web for keywords and provides relevant links

Server

A computer that holds Internet data such as web site files and can send it to another computer when requested

Shareware

Software that is free to download but you pay a fee if you want to continue using it after the trial period

Shortcut

A link you can click to go straight to a particular program or web page

Social Networking

Web sites based on communication and relying on users to add content

Software

A program or a set of instructions to make a computer carry out a task

Spam

Junk mail messages to e-mail addresses

Spyware

Software that tracks your movements on the Web for advertising purposes without your knowledge

Stream

Start playing music or video as soon as it begins downloading

Surfing

Moving from one web page to another

Trial

Software that allows you to try before you buy

Trojan

Malicious virus program disguised as useful software

Uninstall

Remove program files from a computer

Upload

Send a file from your computer to an online destination

URL

Uniform Resource Locator. The address of a web site on the World Wide Web

Virus

Destructive program that infects and damages computer files

Vlog

Video web log

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol - voice conversations across the Internet

WAV

The standard audio file type for Windows PCs

Web Page

Individual page on a web site

Web Site

A collection of connected web pages located at a particular domain name

Wiki

Web site that can be edited by users to add information

Windows

Microsoft operating system installed on most PCs

World Wide Web (WWW)

Information space on the Internet stored on servers across the world containing documents connected together through hyperlinks

Worm

Malicious code that uses an infected PC to spread itself to others

Zip

Compressed file format to reduce diskspace needed by a file and to transfer it between computers more quickly