Common Computer and Internet Terms

Blog

A blog is a 'snippet' of information.  In the Internet world, many webmasters (and regular folks too) do a lot of blogging, meaning they keep a little diary of information.  Normally a blog will list a date, and what someone did, saw, or noticed on that date. Also known as a "weB LOG".

Bluetooth

Radio technology that connects electronic devices without using a cable. Data and voice can be exchanged at ranges of up to 10 meters without the need for devices to be lined up together.

Browser

The program used to 'look' at the internet (WWW) pages or sites.

Browse

Same as Surf - to get on the internet and look at different areas.

Bug

Program code that causes a computer to malfunction or doesn't work as intended.

Bulletin Board

An on-line meeting place to post messages, upload and download files and exchange information.

Burn

Usually refers to creating a CD-ROM.

Byte

A single character or instruction of computer language.

Cache (Memory)

Special area of memory that stores recent commands so they can be executed faster than calling the information back from the Hard Drive again.

Cache (Disk)

There is also disk cache that is more software related, it basically hold information in memory as it is writing to the disk, and allows the user to continue without waiting until the writing is done.

Carding

Slang for obtaining or using illegally obtained credit cards.

CD writer

Hardware that will put information / files on to a CD-ROM disk.

Channel

Sites on the internet that carry news and information. (Also networking terminology).

Channel browser

Software package (or person) that views news and current event related web sites.

Chat room

A chat room is a Web site (part of a Web site) that provides a venue for communities of users with a common interest to communicate in real time.

Client

The PC, or Workstation that is being used. The client gets information from a "Server", but does the bulk of the processing. Client Server network.

Cookie

Small amount of data put on your browser from web sites you visit. This cookie tells the service provider the type of news and information you are interested in. It also provides your user ID to the web site.

Crawler

Internet program that searches websites for content - see Bot.

Cyber ...

The internet (ie cybersex=look at XXX-pics, cybersurf=check out web sites).

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the use of e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, pagers, cell phones, or other forms of information technology to deliberately harass, threaten, or intimidate someone.

Cybersex

View or download pornographic video, or graphics from the internet (can also refer to new virtual reality technology that transmits responses back to users).

Cyberspace

The internet.

Database

Computer program used to store information in "Records" and "Fields" containing information. (e.g. names and phone numbers; items and serial numbers; etc.).

Discussion Group (aka discussion board, discussion forum, message board)

A discussion board (known also by various other names such as discussion group, discussion forum, message board, and online forum) is a general term for any online "bulletin board" where you can leave and expect to see responses to messages you have left. Or you can just read the board.

Domain

A logical grouping of computers and/or networks. In NT networking terminology it is a logical grouping of a network. More complex and object oriented than the hierarchical structure used by DOS, Banyan, etc.

Download

To transfer files (from a distant computer or server to the one you're using).

e-Mail

Electronic Mail: (written memo's that get transferred from one person to another through computers and networks or the internet.

Emoticon

An emoticon is a short sequence of keyboard letters and symbols, usually emulating a facial expression, which complements a text message. An abbreviation itself, the term is sometimes referred to by the name of the original emoticon, the smiley face :o)

Encryption

Encryption is the process of converting data into "unreadable code" is so that unauthorized people cannot understand the content. Encryption may be used to make stored data private (e.g., data that is stored on a potentially vulnerable hard disk), or to allow a non-secure communications channel to serve as a private communications channel. To decipher the message, the receiver of the encrypted data must have the proper decryption key.

Filter

Set of instructions that 'filter' out and display only the information being looked for from large amount of data. Often used with database and DOS programmers.

Firewall

A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.

FTP

File transfer protocol. Program, to transfer files.

Hacked

To have someone break into your computer, usually over the Internet.  Not a good thing.

Hardware

These are the physical items including your computer and floppy discs.

Hit

To attach to a remote computer or web site.

Hits

Number of items that got pulled up from a web server.  If a page has 4 graphics, 1 java program, a style sheet associated with it, and a sound file - then ONE person looking at that ONE page will record 8 HITS.  Not an accurate way to document how much a site gets seen.

Host

The computer that is sharing its resources. (can also refer to individual PC on the internet or a network).

Icon

Little picture on a computer screen or window linked to a program or command.

ICQ

ICQ ("I Seek You") is a program you can download that will let you know when friends and contacts are also online on the Internet. ICQ allows you to page them, chat with them, and initiate and participate in PC-to-PC calls, PC-to-phone and phone-to-phone calling card calls.

Internet

The Internet is a super-network. It connects many smaller networks together and allows all the computers to exchange information with each other.

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

A multi-user chat facility which can be used by groups or individuals in “private sessions”. Users can chat without providing personal information, about any topic of interest.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Someone who provides access to the Internet, usually for a fee e.g. Telstra, Optus.

Instant messaging

Instant messaging (sometimes called IM or IMing) is the ability to easily see whether a chosen friend or co-worker is connected to the Internet and, if they are, to exchange messages with them. Instant messaging differs from ordinary e-mail in the immediacy of the message exchange and also makes a continued exchange simpler than sending e-mail back and forth.

Joe Job

A Joe job is an e-mail spoofing exploit in which someone sends out huge volumes of spam that appear to be from someone other than the actual source. A Joe job is sometimes conducted as an act of revenge on someone who reports a spammer to their Internet service provider (ISP) or publicly advocates anti-spam legislation.

Media

Type of disk, or tape that information is stored on (i.e. CD, Tape, Floppie, Floppy).

Modem

Equipment for a computer that lets it talk to other computers over telephone lines.

Netiquette

Proper behaviour on a network or internet (not using foul language, etc.).

News Group

A 'public bulletin board' where people can 'post' questions, answers, and comments. Looks and works a lot like email, but can be read by everyone.

Patch

Code written after a program is released, usually fixes minor flaws, and bugs or adds extended functionality or program enhancements.  You install a patch to 'update' a program or operating system in order to fix a flaw, or possible vulnerability.

PC

Generic term for Personal Computer. Usually refers to the IBM clones, where computers made by Apple (Macintosh) are called Macs.

Peer to Peer

Type of network where computers share files and resources without a server.

Phishing

Short for Password Harvesting Fishing. It is the luring of sensitive information, such as passwords and other personal information, from a victim by masquerading as someone trustworthy with a real need for such information. Popular targets are users of online banking services, and auction sites such as eBay. Phishers usually work by sending out spam e-mail to large numbers of potential victims.

Piracy

Unauthorised reproduction/ copying and use of computer programs and other material in violation of copyright and trade secrets laws.

Pop Up

An extra window that opens over top of your web-page you are trying to view.  Usually trying to sell you something, or re-direct you to another site.

Post

To 'send' a message, question or answer to a BBS or newsgroup.

Profile

The access, passwords, settings, etc. networks establish for users when they login.

Public Domain

Available to anyone who wants it (usually refers to software, files, or computers that do not require passwords or fees).

Shareware

Programs you can download from the internet that request you send money if you use more than a particular time. Often smaller, limited use programs.

Site

A particular computer address you 'look' at when you browse the web.

Software

This is a program, the actual code the computer reads. All other stuff is hardware. A floppy disc is hardware.

Spam
or Spamming

To send email globally (ex: TO: *@aol.com and everyone with email at AOL gets it - often used as advertising gimmick). The tons of mass email you get everyday from people you don't know.

Spoofing

Sending email (or other information) by deceptive means.  Usually using another computers identity.  Example: Sending an email and making it appear that it did not come from the originator, but rather another person’s computer.

Upload

To transfer files from the computer you're on to another one (server or internet).

URL

Stands for Universal Resource Locator. It's a fancy way of saying Internet Address e.g. http//www.police.nsw.gov.au.

Video Streaming

Method of transmitting visual information over the internet where information is displayed as it is being transmitted rather than waiting until a large file is downloaded.

Virus

Computer instructions (code) that attaches itself to a program with the intent to cause harm - can range from annoying to destroying information.

The Web (or W3)

The Internet.

Webmaster

Person who manages an internet site, may design pages, direct traffic, assign access permissions, and establish accepted protocols and procedures etc.

Webpage

A file that is formatted in a way that it can be read by a 'browser' and available on an internet server. Specifically web pages are ASCII text files with tags (or definitions) in them that make them readable by browsers.

WHOIS

Internet program that returns information about entities in a domain.

Worm

A type of computer virus that reproduces itself to occupy memory and disk space. Worms thrive more in network environments where viruses are usually PC based.