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