Broadband Jargon Busting

Attachment

A file which has been sent as part of an email. The file is not a part of the email rather it is ‘attached’ to the email, such as a word document. This file is then downloaded by the recipient.

AVI

The format of a video clip. Shows that a file is a video

Blog

An online diary which regularly shares information about a certain subject.

Browser

A program which allows you to search the web for websites.

Byte

A measurement of the amount of space computer has. There are 1024 bytes in 1 KB. 1024 KB in a MB (megabyte). 1024 Mb in a GB (gigabyte).

Cookie

Information which is sent to your computer from a website that you have visited.

Domain

The address of a website.

Encryption

The process by which data is translated into a secret code. This is for protection purposes.

Firewall

Security which protects your computer from unauthorized access from anybody else.

Freeware

Software which is free to use.

Gigabyte (GB)

A unit of storage capacity. In 1 GB there are 1024 megabytes (MB)

History

A list of websites previously visited. This list is stored on your browser.

Hyperlink

An image or a piece of text which, when clicked takes you to a particular website.

Kilobyte (KB)

A unit of storage capacity. In 1 KB there are 1024 bytes.

Megabyte (MB)

A unit of storage capacity. In 1 MB there are 1024 kilobytes (KB).

Router

A piece of hardware which allows two networks to be connected therefore data can be passed between the two.

Server

A ‘host’ computer in a network. The server stores information and responds to any requests of information.

Spam

Any advertising sent via email which is not wanted.

Streaming

When you can watch/listen to multimedia whilst the file is downloading. Therefore the file does not have to be downloaded in advance for you to be able to access it.

Zip

A type of compression file format.