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Web jargon
Top techy terms explained nice 'n easy.
Surfing the net can be enjoyable, educational and fun too. However, sometimes the Internet can be mighty confusing, especially when you come across all sorts of weird techy terms. Like, what the heck has a cookie got to do with surfing the web?
Google's jargon buster to the rescue! Simply click here to read their guide to all the strange and complex sounding techy terms out there.
Here’s a sprinkling of some of the most common terms out there:
Browser. This is the programme that you use to surf the web. Common programmes include Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer or Google Chrome
Cookies. A cookie is a tiny file stored by your browser. Cookies are used to store preferences i.e. user names.
IP address. This is like a postal address, but it’s the address used for the device that connects you to the ‘net. Websites use this address to send info to your computer.
Phishing. This is a type of financial fraud where you are lured into giving out your bank details, passwords or other confidential info via email. To avoid being the victim of phishing, never give out your passwords, bank or credit card details to anyone online. If someone tells you that they are emailing from your bank, call the bank yourself to check it out.
Malware. This is software placed on a computer without a user’s permission. Unfortunately it is designed to damage a computer, or at best, cause annoyance by downloading advertising of some kind. Computer viruses are one type of malware.
Interest-based ads. These are ads based on your browsing history rather than general all purpose ads. So, for example if you visit a lot of sports sites, these ads may contain info on sports gear.
Log. When you visit a website, the website may keep a record of the pages you visited and what you did on the website.
Encryption. This is a method of obscuring info so that only authorised users can see it, i.e. when you log onto a site with your credit card details, this info is encrypted.
Personal information. This is info that is considered sensitive or private, as it can be used to identify someone. Such info includes your address, name or billing info.
Spam. This is the e-mail version of junk mail, advertising everything from sex aids to ‘cheap’ loans.
If you’d like to learn more about all of this, just click here.
