Here on Navigaweb we always talk about technology, information technology and the web, sometimes on a technical level, other times on a basic level with curiosities and entertainment news. Even if in every article we try to explain each concept in the simplest way possible, in many cases, to understand what we are talking about, we need to know the meaning of some technical terms that should enter the vocabulary of each person who uses a PC, both expertly than at the basic user level.
This technical dictionary is intended to help people read blogs like Navigaweb better and surf the internet without getting lost.
This is not an encyclopedia article typical of the manuals because it is a mini glossary of computer science, an ABC of computer science that focuses attention on the most used words, those found in the boxes of PCs, those that are read in the articles. of newspapers and those that are most needed to understand the technological world.
This list therefore does not include every term of technology, but only the most recurring words and acronyms of computer science in everyday life, which are frequently spoken of.
This technology vocabulary refers to Internet topics and network connections .
In the second part there are the definitions of computer terms hardware and software.
To search for a particular term and their meaning, press the key combination Ctrl + F to find what you need on the page.
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READ ALSO: Meaning of 15 new words born and used on the Internet
Definitions for the web and websites
BitTorrent : is a P2P (peer-to-peer) connection protocol for sharing files between different online users.
It allows you to download a single file or a group of files from multiple people simultaneously, making the transfer very fast and efficient.
BitTorrent is often reported as a means of spreading piracy, but it is also used to distribute files without weighing down the servers (Linux is often downloaded in this way, for example).
Due to its relationship with piracy, however, many internet providers slow down the connection if you are using BitTorrent, but it is always possible to anonymize traffic to prevent this from happening.
Browser : is the program used to surf the internet and open websites.
In another article, the list of the best browsers for all computers.
Cookies : A cookie is a small piece of text stored in the browser that saves data from the websites visited to track them or to save personalized settings.
Download : means "Download" and is the word that identifies the buttons used to download a program or file from the Internet.
HTML ( HyperText Markup Language ): it is defined as a markup language and is used to write and format text so that it is read correctly by a web browser.
The HTML text is described by TAGs which indicate its attributes (color, size, font, etc.).
In another article: Basic HTML tags to know for anyone who maintains a blog or website
HTTP ( Hypertext Transfer Protocol ) is the set of rules that determine how files are transferred on the World Wide Web.
In essence, it is the basis of the internet.
HTTPS ( HTTP Secure ) is the same as HTTP, but it is used to encrypt data exchanged by sites such as banks or online stores.
See also: Surfing https on banking sites, online stores, Facebook and others, with secure connection.
Link : it is a link that, if clicked with the mouse, leads to a website or opens another application pointing to a precise data.
Magnet Links : A magnet link is used on BitTorrent sites to start downloads without the need to download a torrent file first.
Basically, it is a faster and easier way to start torrent downloads.
OAuth : is an open protocol that allows you to protect your data by allowing applications to access a limited amount of information.
OAuth is the protocol that is used to access external services with your Google, Facebook or Twitter account, without registering again.
PHP ( Hypertext Preprocessor ): PHP is an open source language used on most web servers.
It allows websites to create frequently changing content (such as wikis, blogs, etc.).
See also: Main programming languages used on the internet and on websites
Post Office Protocol ( POP ) / Internet Message Access Protocol ( IMAP ): POP and IMAP are both methods of receiving e-mails in a desktop client such as Outlook or on a smartphone.
POP takes messages from the server and downloads them to the client; IMAP instead maintains the synchronization between client and server so for example, if you delete a message on the phone it will also be deleted in Gmail.
See then: Difference between POP3 and IMAP: which is better to use in receiving Email "> what is allowed and what is not on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Google+.
The TOS of websites and programs are accepted by placing a cross on the "Accept" option.
URL ( Uniform Resource Locator ): is the address of a website, such as, for example, //www.navigaweb.net.
Definitions for network connections
802.11a / b / g / n : 802.11 is a set of standards for wireless networks that govern how the computer communicates with the wifi router.
Each of the letters (a / b / g / n) denotes different speeds and intervals, with Wireless N being the fastest.
DHCP ( Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ): is a protocol that assigns an IP address to each device on the network, and ensures that two computers do not have the same address (which can cause problems).
DHCP is an automatic mode for accessing a computer or device on the network, but it is also possible to manually assign a reserved and permanent static IP address.
In another article: Set fixed and static IP address, store it and change IP with a click.
DNS ( Domain Name Service ): is a system that translates the IP address of a server into an easy-to-remember name.
(for example www.google.it instead of 173.194.35.183).
Each Internet provider has its own DNS database, but it is possible to use different DNS for better speed and security and to avoid any geographical censorship.
In another article you can learn more with the guide to change DNS on Windows PC, Mac and Router.
Firewall : is a software or hardware device that protects a computer or network from external intrusions.
It monitors incoming and outgoing traffic so that unapproved files are not transferred.
In another post, the best free firewalls to protect the network and block intrusions on the PC from the internet
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): is the protocol used to transfer data between computers on a local network or to transfer files online.
Hotspot : is a wireless or wireless internet access point.
Modern smartphones have the hotspot function to share the data connection and work with the modems, allowing other devices or PCs to connect to the internet via wifi.
Internet Protocol Address ( IP ): An IP address is what makes it possible for computers to connect to each other.
Each device that connects to the Internet is assigned a unique IP address.
The internet provider can assign a static IP address that remains the same, or a dynamic IP address, which changes each time you log in.
It is always possible to falsify the IP address with a proxy server, useful for remaining anonymous.
To find out more, read: How computers talk to each other on the network via TCP / IP.
MAC address ( Media Access Control Address ): the MAC address is a unique number that identifies a network card (of a PC, a mobile phone, a printer, a console) in a network.
It is a hardware identity card that cannot be changed.
LAN ( Local Area Network ): a LAN is the network that connects computers in a limited area, such as a home or office.
It is a closed system to which external networks do not have access unless allowed to do so.
A LAN is created using a router.
Bandwidth : it is the amount of data that can be transferred at one time on a network, between the computer and the Internet provider, in a certain period of time (for example 20 Megabits per second).
In recent years, Internet providers have made a habit of advertising themselves by pumping available bandwidth, slowing it down in practice.
See also: Italian providers with faster ADSL; are you paying for the promised gang?
NAS ( Network Attached Storage ): it is a device (such as a small computer or hard disk) in which files are saved to which all users of the network can access.
Any computer on the network can access files from anywhere in the house.
Any computer can be turned into a NAS to be used for network data backup.
NAT ( Network Address Translation ): NAT is the way in which a router allows multiple computers to access the internet with the same IP address, without causing confusion.
Phishing : usually consists of an email or website to trick the user into providing information such as usernames or passwords, pretending to be a reliable site, to steal them.
In another article: guide to online security against hackers, phishing and cyber criminals
Port Forwarding : it is a network technique to make sure that a specific application that connects to the internet can be used remotely.
In the definitions of the network, the Port is an address with which a program is identified via the Internet.
On routers you can open a port (then create a numeric address) to transfer data from a PC to another computer that is located outside the LAN.
In practice it is used to access a specific program running on your computer, from the internet.
Provider : is the internet provider.
Wind, Telecom, Fastweb and many others are providers in Italy.
In English the provider is identified by the abbreviation ISP ( Internet Service Provider ).
Proxy Server : a proxy server stands between a PC and the Internet to transmit information, acting as a filter.
A proxy server has two main purposes: it can be used to prevent certain sites from visiting a LAN by filtering available content or it can improve internet speed.
You can also use a proxy server to falsify internet access and make you think of a website that you browse from a computer in another country.
In another article: Best proxy lists and programs to browse blocked and obscured sites.
Ad Hoc Network : An ad hoc network is a wireless network that allows two devices to communicate directly with each other without the need for external equipment such as a router.
It is used to share the network connection so that one computer acts as an access point for all the others and to share files and data on the network.
In a specific guide: how to connect 2 PCs in an ad hoc wireless network to share internet browsing and files.
Router : it is the device that routes the packets to the device to which they are sent.
Put simply, it's what allows you to connect multiple computers together in a LAN.
The router is also used as an internet access point by all the computers connected to it, to which it assigns an IP address.
In another article, the full explanation of what a router is and how it works
See also: Which wifi router to buy for the wireless home network?
SSH ( Secure Shell ): SSH is used to connect a computer (or another device connected to the internet) to another computer via the Internet.
It is commonly used to control a computer from a distance, also useful when connecting an Android device or an iOS device to the computer.
Typically a normal user does not use SSH but relies on other simpler programs to control a computer remotely.
Tethering : it is when you use the internet connection of another device (generally the mobile phone) to navigate also another device (usually the computer).
The tathering function on mobile phones is similar to that of the HotSpot, the difference is that tathering allows you to use your mobile phone as a cable modem while the hotspot is a wifi access point.
TLS ( Transport Layer Security ) is a protocol for connecting the computer to a secure server on the internet.
Its predecessor is the SSL ( Secure Socket Layer ) protocol .
An SSL or TLS connection is identified with the HTTPS protocol.
VoIP ( Voice Over Internet Protocol ): as the name suggests, VoIP is the system that allows you to communicate by voice and make calls using the internet connection.
The most popular VOIP program is Skype.
VPN ( Virtual Private Network ): A VPN is a group of computers networked on a public network, typically the Internet.
The VPN is like a LAN that encrypts what is being done online so that the data is always safe.
In another article, the best free VPN services to surf the web for free
WAN ( Wide Area Network ): A WAN is a large network that connects multiple local networks (a set of LANs).
A WAN can refer to a company's network or even to the entire Internet.
WEP ( Wired Equivalent Privacy ) / WPA ( Wi-Fi Protected Access ): Both WEP and WPA are security systems for accessing a network.
Although a network password can always be hacked, WPA-2 is much more secure than WEP and WPA.
See also how to protect your wireless network from hacker intrusions and login attempts.
Continue in the second part with the hardware and software dictionary
