- Adware
- A type of software that often comes with free downloads. Some adware displays ads on your computer, while some monitors your computer use (including websites visited) and displays targeted ads based on your use.
- Anti–virus Software
- Protects your computer from viruses that can destroy your data, slow your computer’s performance, cause a crash, or even allow spammers to send email through your account.
- Badware
- Software that fundamentally disregards a user’s choice about how his or her computer or network connection will be used. Some badware is specifically designed for criminal, political, and/or mischievous purposes (See Malware). Some badware is not malicious in its intent, but still fails to put the user in control.
- Bandwidth
- A measure of the “speed” of an Internet connection.
- Blocking Software
- A program to filter content from the Internet and restrict access to sites or content based on specific criteria.
- Blog
- Short for “web log,” a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.
- Bookmark
- A web browser feature that allows you to save the addresses of interesting or frequently used websites, so that you can readily revisit them.
- Broadband
- A number of different methods used for high speed Internet access such as DSL, cable modems, fiber optics, and mobile wireless, all of which are permanently connected to the Internet through different means.
- Browser
- A program that allows a user to find, view, hear, and interact with material on the Internet.
- Browser Hijacker
- A common spyware program that changes your web browser’s home page without the user’s knowledge, even if you change it back.
- Buddy List
- A list of people who you can chat with through an instant messaging program.
- Cache
- A form of computer memory that allows you to access stored information, such as web addresses you’ve recently typed into your browser, more quickly. Pronounced “cash.”
- CAN–SPAM Act
- A law that prohibits senders of unsolicited commercial email from using false or misleading header information or deceptive subject lines, and requires they identify each email as an advertisement, among other provisions.
- Chat Room
- An online space where you can meet and exchange information through messages displayed on the screens of others who are in the “room.”
- Cookies
- A small text file that a website can place on your computer’s hard drive to collect information about your activities on the site or to allow the site to remember information about you and your activities.
- COPPA
- The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act; it gives parents control over what information websites can collect from their kids under 13.
- Cyberbullying
- Bullying or harassment that takes place online; includes posting embarrassing pictures or unkind comments on a person’s profile or sending them via instant message or email.
- Cyberspace
- Used to distinguish the physical world from the digital or computer–based world.
- Domain
- A segment of Internet space, denoted by the function or type of information it includes; current domains include “.com” for commercial sites, “.gov” for governmental ones, and “.org” for non–commercial organizations.
- Download
- To copy files from one computer to another over the Internet.
- Drive–by Download
- Software that installs on your computer without your knowledge when you visit certain websites. To avoid drive–by downloads; make sure to update your operating system and Web browser regularly.
- DSL
- Digital Subscriber Line: A type of high speed Internet using standard phone lines and the local telephone network. DSL is almost always slower than cable modem or fiber optics.
- Dumpster Diving
- Thieves rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper that includes your personal information.
- Encryption
- The scrambling of data into a secret code that can be read only by software set to decode the information.
- End User Licensing Agreement (EULA)
- A provider’s legal terms. You, as the “end user,” may be required to “click” to accept before you can download software.
- Exposure
- When sensitive data is released to someone without authorization.
- Extended Service Set Identifier (ESSID)
- The name a manufacturer assigns to a router. It may be a standard, default name assigned by the manufacturer to all hardware of that model. Users can improve security by changing to a unique name. Similar to a Service Set Identifier (SSID).
- Filter
- Software that screens information on the Internet, classifies its content, and allows the user to block certain kinds of content.
- Firewall
- Hardware or software that blocks unauthorized communications to or from your computer; helps keep hackers from using your computer to send out your personal information without your permission.
- Gigabyte
- A measure of computer memory equaling 1,024 megabytes.
- GPS
- “Global Positioning System,” a global navigation satellite system that is used in cars or phones to determine location and provide directions.
- Hacker
- Someone who uses computers and the Internet to access other people’s computers without permission.
- Hacking
- Breaking into a computer or network by evading or disabling security measures.
- Hardware
- The mechanical parts of a computer system, including the central processing unit (CPU), monitor, keyboard, and mouse, as well as other equipment like printers and speakers.
- Instant Messaging (IM)
- Enables two or more people to chat in real time, and notifies you when someone on your “friends list” is online.
- Internet Protocol (IP)
- The computer language that allows computer programs to communicate over the Internet.
- IP Address
- A computer’s “address,” it consists of a series of numbers separated by periods.
- Java
- A computer programming language invented by Sun Microsystems that enables web pages to include animations, calculators, scrolling text, sound effects, and games.
- JPEG
- Short–hand for “Joint Photographic Experts Group,” a computer file format that reduces the size of graphics by using compression.
- Keystroke Logger
- A device or program that records each keystroke typed on a particular computer.
- LAN (Local Area Network)
- A network of connected computers that are generally located near each other, such as in an office or company.
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