Geek Jargon

Geek terms simple enough for everyone to understand!

Adware - Adware takes advertising to a whole new level. Usually consisting with a bombardment of adds, adware finds its way onto computer systems by being included with freeware from a nefarious source or downloaded accidentally from a web site either automatically or by clicking a pop-up window.

Bandwidth – Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be passed through a communications channel during a period of time. For example, if you have a 768k (usually means kilobits per second with most ISP's) internet connection and you are downloading a file at 768kbps, you have reached your bandwidth limit and no more data can be transferred.

Binary - In simple terms, binary is the language our computers use to execute all operations. Binary code is a combination of zero’s and one’s.

Bits – Bits are the smallest unit of computer memory, a “0” in binary is a single bit of data; however to denote "0" as in the number zero, it takes 4 bits of data (0000). Seriously! This is how computers compute data.

Byte – A byte is the second to smallest unit of computer memory, 8 bits are contained in a byte. The number "18" is a byte. 18 = 0011 1111 in binary

Cracker – A cracker is someone who is proficient with computer and programming skills and uses them for nefarious purposes.

Domain – A domain is the name assigned to a place on the web and they are commonly used on the web. A domain is used in place of an IP address for a web site because an IP address is too hard for people to remember. When you go to Google.com you don't type 209.85.135.147, you type www.google.com but your browser translates the address to 209.85.135.147. Next time you want to go to Google, type 209.85.135.147 into your browsers URL area and see what happens.

E-mail – E-mail is a system used for sending messages from an individual to another individual or group between computers using the internet.

Exchange Server – Microsoft’s exchange server is a enterprise software solution that allows e-mail to be transmitted, contacts to be collaborated, and calendars to be synchronized all automatically over the internet. Exchange server is used with Outlook and Pocket Outlook on a Windows Mobile phone with the intent to wirelessly sync the two automatically.

Firewall – A firewall is a security wall that prevents unauthorized users from gaining access into a network.

FTP Server – An FTP server or File Transfer Protocol server is a server used to store files on the internet and allows for the exchange of the data between computers on a network.

Gigabyte (GB) – A Gigabyte is one billion bytes and refers to the storage capacity of a computer hard disk, with the increasing storage of media files like pictures and music, average computer users require several hundred Gigabytes of storage. A common misconception that people don't realize is the fact that a byte is 8 bits. or a unit of 8 and not 10. This is important because Windows operating systems count the bytes in units of 10 which is why your hard drive says there is less GB than what it may say on the package.

Hacker – In computer terms, a hacker is simply someone who is proficient with computer or programming skills. People can "hack" other things than just computers.

Hard drive – A hard drive is hardware, it is the disk drive that stores all of your files in your computer.

HTML E-mail – HTML or Hyper Text Markup Language is a language used in web that allows multimedia and documents to be displayed. HTML e-mail is generally used to make the e-mail look more colorful.

HTTP – HTTP or Hypertext transfer protocol is a protocol used for transforming documents and code into web pages on the web.

IMAP – IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol and is another way to access receive and send e-mail similar to POP.

Internet Explorer (IE) – Internet Explorer or IE is a powerful web browser created by Microsoft which is included in every windows operating system.

IP Address – An IP address is an address that identifies something’s presence in a network or the web.

ISP – An ISP or Internet Service Provider is a company that provides someone’s internet service.

LAN – A LAN or Local Area Network refers to a network separated from the rest of the world wide web by a gateway. A LAN can be used to share files or printers within the network.

Malware - Malware is software that is intentionally included or inserted in a system for a harmful purpose

MB (Megabyte) – MB or Megabyte stands for 1 million bytes and is a unit of computer memory.

Net Neutrality – Net Neutrality means to have a hidden presence on the web. A person may want to not be tracked if they are a whistle blower in a country run by a rogue government.

Offsite backup – Offsite backup refers to backing up files and storing them in another location from the original files.

Onsite backup – Onsite backup refers to backing up files and storing them in the same location as the original files.

Open source – Open Source refers to open source software, open source software grants a license that guarantees anyone the rights to freely use, modify, and redistribute the software.

Outlook – Outlook is an enterprise solution created by Microsoft which allows the sending and receiving of e-mail, creation of calendars, and a contact manager.

Phishing – Phishing is the practice of tricking unsuspecting victims with fake web sites in attempt to steal user names and passwords or personal information.

Pocket Outlook – Pocket Outlook is software that comes with a Windows Mobile phone which allows you so send and receive e-mail and text messages.

POP – POP or Post Office Protocol is a protocol for e-mail which allows users to retrieve their e-mail from a server.

Root kit - A root kit is a set of tools used by a hacker or cracker after cracking a computer system. Root kits are very sneaky because they mask themselves to look like a windows program which makes them hard to detect. Often when you remove a root kit you must restore your computer because it takes crucial Windows files whit it making your computer unstable.

Router – A router is a device that routes a network’s internet traffic. A router serves as a gateway from a network to the outside internet.

Service pack 2 – Service Pack 2 refers to the periodic service packs released by Microsoft to improve their current operating system. Microsoft’s Windows XP Service Pack 2 includes advanced security technologies to keep users of XP safe.

SMTP – SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol which is a protocol used by an e-mail server to send e-mail.

Spyware - Spyware is software that covertly gathers user information through a user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge.

Trojan Horse - A Tojan Horse is a program that looks useful and innocent but contains additional hidden code which allows the unauthorized collection, exploitation, falsification, or destruction of data.

USB flash Drive – A USB flash drive is a drive small storage device that plugs into your USB port on your computer using flash memory. Flash memory has no moving parts, and is more resistant to shock when compared to traditional hard drives.

Virus - A virus is a software program capable of reproducing itself (this is how they spread to other computers) and usually capable of causing harm to files or other programs on the same computer

VPN – A VPN is a Virtual Private Network and it is used by a user to gain access to their network securely while out of their local area network.

WAN – Wan or Wide Area Network is a network that spans a large geographical area.

Web browser – A web browser is a software tool used to browse web sites on the world wide web.

WEP encryption – WEP encryption or Wired Equivalent Privacy is a security protocol for wireless internet networks that uses encryption to make a firewall around transmitted data, WEP should not be used because it can be broken with the right tools by a hacker.

Web hosting – Web hosting refers to a place where a web site is stored and is the place where a web site can be viewed on the web.

WPA encryption – More secure than WEP, WPA or Wi-Fi Protected Access encryption is a security protocol for wireless internet networks that uses encryption to make a firewall around transmitted data.

Windows Mobile Phone – A Windows Mobile phone is a small Windows computer built in a phone, Windows Mobile phones can be used to collaborate data like excel spreadsheets, e-mail, calendars, and much more.