Don’t Understand Internet Lingo? Check Out Our 2022 Internet Term Guide


Unsure of a time period we referenced? We break down all the assorted web definitions you might encounter when studying about broadband service. We’ve additionally included generally used acronyms and added in-depth explanations for the extra complicated phrases which can be useful to grasp when shopping for web.

On this web page:

Numbers and symbols

Internet glossary puzzles

Internet terms glossary

The importance of digital literacy and the internet

6 ways digital literacy can improve your life

Numbers and symbols

302: HTTP standing code for discovered and is used to quickly redirect guests 

400:  HTTP standing code for unhealthy request 

401: HTTP standing code for unauthorized entry 

403: HTTP standing code for forbidden entry 

404: HTTP standing code for error or web page not discovered 

500: HTTP code for any surprising error 

502: HTTP code for unhealthy gateway server error response 

503: HTTP code for service unavailable

504: HTTP code for gateway timeout 

Web glossary puzzles

Notice: To print the sport, obtain here. Solutions can be found on the backside of this text.

Notice: To print the sport, obtain here. Solutions can be found on the backside of this text.

Notice: To print the sport, obtain here. Solutions can be found on the backside of this text.

Web phrases glossary

A

AI: Synthetic intelligence (machines performing duties that usually require human intelligence). 

Algorithm: A process for fixing pc science issues. 

Anti-malware: A kind of software program program that helps forestall computer systems and different know-how from malicious software program (referred to as malware).

Anti-spyware: A kind of software program program designed to take away spyware and adware, which is software program that spies on a person’s pc actions. 

Anti-virus: A kind of software program that eliminates pc viruses. 

B

Bandwidth: Bandwidth measures the whole variety of frequencies, or capability, a community connection can deal with at any given second. With extra bandwidth, extra information might be transferred by a selected community at a time. That is important for figuring out what number of units can hook up with the community concurrently. 

Bluetooth: A brief-range wi-fi interconnection between digital units.

Broadband: Broadband tells you the way shortly information might be transferred, which is your total measurement for the pace of your web connection. That is important for figuring out the pace at which your web can carry out sure duties, similar to streaming a film.

C

Cable web: An web service sort that makes use of coaxial cables to transmit information. 

Cache/caching: Saved information by a software program part for that information to be accessed extra effectively sooner or later. 

Capping: Also called information capping. When you might have a restrict on how a lot information you should use in a month. 

Cloud computing: Information storage facilities obtainable over the web. 

Cookies: Information saved in a textual content file that’s used to determine a person’s pc. 

D

Data cap: A month-to-month restrict on the quantity of knowledge a person is allowed to make use of when accessing the web 

Dial-up web: A kind of web service that works by taking up the sign of an present cellphone line and altering it from speaking voice to speaking information.

Obtain: Receiving information from a server onto one’s digital machine.

Obtain speeds: The pace it takes to obtain information from a server within the type of photos, movies, textual content, information and audio. That is the kind of pace most individuals consider after they consider web speeds. 

DSL: Digital Subscriber Line is a kind of web service that makes use of phone strains to transmit information. 

E

E-commerce: Brief for digital commerce. The shopping for and promoting of products by way of the web.

Encryption: Changing information into code for privateness functions. 

Ethernet: A strategy to join computer systems to a Wi-Fi community by a wired connection.  

Extender: Brief for a Wi-Fi extender. A tool that connects along with your router (both wirelessly or by a wired connection) to assist lengthen your web sign into rooms which can be Wi-Fi lifeless zones on account of partitions, furnishings obstructions or basic spacing. 

F

FCC: Federal Communications Fee. An impartial company of the U.S. authorities answerable for implementing and imposing America’s communications legal guidelines and laws.

Fiber internet: A kind of web service that makes use of fiber optic cables to transmit information. 

Firewall: A community safety system that blocks unauthorized entry and controls outgoing and incoming communication with predetermined safety guidelines. 

FTP: File Switch Protocol. The protocols computer systems comply with to switch information from one system to a different.

G

Gigabit: A unit of measurement equal to 1,000 Mbps. 

Gigabit broadband: Web speeds of as much as 1 Gigabit. These speeds are a few of the quickest obtainable. 

H

Excessive-speed web: The FCC defines high-speed web as 25 Mbps obtain speeds and three add speeds, however this definition will seemingly enhance in pace as know-how advances.

HTTP vs HTTPS: The start of an internet site URL and the protocol used to switch information over the net. HTTP (Hypertext Switch Protocol) is extra frequent however HTTPS (Hypertext Switch Protocol Safe) is safer as a result of it makes use of encryption.

I

IMAP: Web Message Entry Protocol. Commonplace electronic mail protocol that shops electronic mail messages onto a mail server. 

Web of issues: Bodily objects, similar to good residence safety methods, that may acquire and switch information over a wi-fi community with none human interference.

IP Address: Refers back to the distinctive string of numbers that identifies your units. The IP handle is usually known as the ZIP codes of the web. 

ISP: Web Service Supplier. An organization that gives web providers. 

J

Jitter: Small intermittent delays throughout information transfers.

Okay

KB/KBPS: Kilobit or Kilobit per second is a measure of knowledge switch pace. 1,000 KBPS equals 1 Mbps, which is the standard type of measurement for web pace.

L

Latency: Latency measures the delay in information switch, telling you how briskly information will get from a supply to its vacation spot. 

Hyperlink: Brief for hyperlink. When a person can click on on a highlighted part and be transferred to a brand new web site

Log in: How customers entry their account.

LTE: Lengthy-Time period Evolution. The broadband normal for wi-fi units. The commonest cellular broadband normal is at the moment 4G LTE. 

M

Malware: Also called malicious software program. Software program that’s particularly designed to disrupt, harm or acquire unauthorized entry to a pc system.

Megabyte: A unit of measurement. Web speeds are sometimes measured in megabytes per second. 

Mesh Wi-Fi: A gaggle of units all through a house that acts as a single Wi-Fi community. Every machine known as a degree and the aim of getting a number of factors is to offer higher protection for extra areas of the home.

Cell broadband: One other time period for wi-fi web entry, which suggests web entry delivered over a cellular community. 

Modem: A modem receives indicators out of your web service supplier and interprets them on your units to make use of. 

MP3: A saved audio file (solely capable of retailer audio and pictures).

MP4: A saved multimedia file (capable of retailer video, stills, subtitles or textual content).

N

Net neutrality: The precept that ISPs ought to present all on-line content material equally with out favoring or blocking particular merchandise, web sites or forms of content material.

Community: Two or extra computer systems (or different units) are linked to share assets. This could imply a Wi-Fi community and even simply the web. 

O

Working System: The software program that manages a pc’s primary features. 

OSS: Open Supply Software program. When the copyright holder of software program grants customers the flexibility to make use of, modify or distribute the software program by licensing agreements. 

P

Phishing: A type of fraud the place somebody pretends to be another person on-line to amass private data from one other particular person or to deploy malware onto the sufferer’s pc or one other machine.

Ping:  A ping is a check that determines if a server is reachable. The check sends an information packet to the server to see if the info comes again.

Piracy: The unauthorized use, copying or distribution of one thing that has been copyrighted.

POP3: Publish Workplace Protocol is a protocol utilized by electronic mail customers to obtain emails by downloading them to a pc from a mailbox of a server.

R

RAM: Random entry reminiscence is short-term pc reminiscence the place working information is saved. Since it’s short-term, it isn’t saved on a pc’s laborious drive. 

Distant desktop: A centralized server that enables customers to entry their profiles on a separate machine. 

Router: Takes the web indicators offered by a modem and converts them right into a Wi-Fi sign in order that units can hook up with the web wirelessly.

S

Satellite internet: An web service sort that depends on satellites to transmit information into the house. 

Search engine: A program that enables customers to seek for data in a database. Essentially the most well-known search engine is Google. 

SIM: A Subscriber Identification Module is a card inserted right into a cellular machine that securely shops private information, together with a world cellular subscriber identification (IMSI) quantity.

Spam: Unsolicited messages over the web acquired by a excessive quantity of recipients. 

Spy ware: Software program that enables somebody to covertly receive data relating to one other particular person’s pc actions. 

Static IP: When the IP handle stays the identical over time. 

Streaming: Media content material obtainable for fast watching or listening by way of any digital machine over the web. 

T

Throttling: When your web supplier limits your bandwidth or slows your connection to sure on-line actions after you’ve reached a month-to-month restrict.

Site visitors: The move of knowledge inside an web community. 

Trojan Horse: Malware that downloads to a pc disguised as official software program. 

U

Ultrafast: Web entry with exceptionally quick speeds. 

Distinctive person: An IP handle, plus an additional identifier. 

Limitless: When there are not any information caps for web use. 

Importing: Sending data out of your pc to a different machine or server on the web. Widespread examples embrace electronic mail, Zoom and dwell gaming.

Upload speeds: This tells you the way shortly data out of your community is distributed to exterior networks. 

V

Virus: A malicious piece of code designed to steal information from a tool or harm the machine solely. 

VOIP: A Voice over Web Protocol is a know-how that enables a person to make voice communications over the web as an alternative of by a cellphone line.  

VPN: A Digital Personal Community is a safe connection methodology that enables verified customers to hook up with a non-public community that has been prolonged throughout a public community.

W

WAN: A Large Space Community is when a number of networks talk with each other (a community of networks). The web is the world’s largest WAN.

Wearable: Sensible digital units you’ll be able to bodily put on 

Net browser: Any utility software program that may entry the World Large Net (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and so forth.)

Wi-Fi: Brief for wi-fi constancy and is the know-how that enables your units to wirelessly hook up with the web.

WLAN: A Wi-fi Native Space Community is a community of two or extra units that may hook up with the web wirelessly and exist close to one another (a house, faculty, library, and so forth.).

X

XML: Extensible Markup Language is units of codes or tags that describe the textual content in a doc (ex: HTML).

Z

Zip file: A file format that compresses a number of paperwork right into a single zip file. 

The significance of digital literacy and the web

The American Library Association defines digital literacy as “the flexibility to make use of data and communication applied sciences to search out, consider, create, and talk data, requiring each cognitive and technical abilities.”

Digital literacy contains one thing most of us do day by day: the flexibility to test and skim our emails on a digital machine like our cellphone or pill.

Digital literacy can also be the flexibility to conduct on-line analysis to be taught extra a few topic, both for private information, work or faculty. 

Merely utilizing a search engine to find a solution to a query or making a profile of your self on a social media account are examples of your digital literacy. 

In line with Statista, over 90% of Individuals have web entry. The web has confirmed to be a useful software in our day by day lives, particularly because the onset of the worldwide pandemic in 2020 drove our office, academic establishments, grocery shops and even our medical places of work on-line.

Digital literacy is vital for all levels of our lives, from younger college students attending faculty just about to older pc customers accessing their physician or staying in contact with household.

6 the reason why digital literacy can enhance your life

1. Making connections with household and associates

Being social is in a human’s nature and staying in contact with our household and associates can profit our psychological well being. In reality, “social media has turn into a supply of inner therapeutic for lots of senior residents battling despair,” in keeping with the Miami Home Care Services. 

2. Elevated security

With digital literacy comes understanding good on-line security practices that may assist to extend your security – from protected passwords to recognizing signs of spam.

3. Save time

Being digitally literate can prevent time, whether or not you might have a web-based appointment name along with your physician, do your purchasing on-line or take a digital class. Consider on a regular basis you save by not driving, standing in line, and so forth. 

4. Helps lifelong abilities

Practically every part we do requires some stage of digital literacy. Many firms require a web-based utility or an emailed resume to use for open positions. Our affected person portals are on-line, as are many authorities help businesses. 

5. Helps academic progress

Not solely will digital literacy assist your pupil with analysis and social abilities, however it’s going to additionally enable them to learn to stay safe online

Publish-pandemic, many academic establishments have adopted a hybrid method to schooling, with most lessons being held in particular person, however some assignments and lessons are nonetheless accessible on-line. Dad and mom can usually entry their pupil’s classroom portal and hold monitor of grades and assignments, in addition to deal with communications with educators. 

6. Shut the digital divide

Entry to know-how in our post-pandemic world is important. Nonetheless, there may be nonetheless a digital divide within the U.S., principally in rural areas, but additionally in pockets of city areas. 

The digital divide is the division between people who’ve entry to computer systems and high-speed web and people who don’t. 

For college students, that is notably worrisome, as they threat falling behind their classmates. In line with a Pew Research Center survey, “24% of teenagers dwelling in lower-income households usually or generally are unable to finish homework on account of lack of dependable pc or web entry.”

To fight the digital divide, the federal authorities has carried out the Affordable Connectivity Program, which companions with web service suppliers to supply high-speed web plans for $30/mo., which is able to enable anybody certified to obtain the $30/mo. stipend from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to get web service without spending a dime.

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Illustration of a father and daughter in a living room. The father is sitting in an armchair and reading a newspaper, and the daughter is playing with a toy on the floor.
Ari Howard

Written by:

Ari Howard

Affiliate Author, Broadband & Wi-fi Content material

Ari is an Affiliate Author for the Allconnect staff. She primarily writes about broadband information and research, notably regarding web entry, digital security, broadband-related know-how and the digital d… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content material

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