Definitions

 

1080p  High-definition video 1920x1080 pixels.

2FA See Two-factor authentication.

32bit/64 A measure of how much data a PC can process at once. Most older computers are 32bit. More modern ones are 64bit.

3G/4G/5G Technologies that deliver faster mobile broadband.

 

AAC Advanced Audio Coding. A type of music file.

AMOLED An alternative technology to LCD for creating flat panel displays.

Aspect Ratio A measurementof the shape of a screen. Traditional PC screens are 4:3. Widescreens displays are 16:9 or 16:10.

 

Benchmarking Comparing software with products with an accepted standard.

BIOS Basic Input Output System, Software built into every PC that connects the vital components.

BitLocker Security feature in Windows 10 & 11 Proo that encrypts drives.

Bootable Describes a device or disc with system files on it so it can be used to start up your computer.

 

Cache A tempoary space for storing information.

Caddy A box into which you can fit a hard drive, converting it into an external drive.

Captcha Distorted text you have to type to prove you're human.

Chatbot An AI program designed to recreate conversation with humans.

Client A program that acts as an interface between PC and server.

CMOS A battery that powers the BIOS firmware in you laptop.

Cookie A small text file stored on your computer by a website.

Copilot+ An enhanced version of Microsoft's Copilot AI tool.

Crowdfunding A process where a company gets the financing to launch a new product from prospective customers online.

Cryptocurrency A digital currency not backed by any country.

CSV A standard file format used by most spreadsheet programs.

 

Dark web Websites that can only be accessed using special software such as the Tor Browser.

DisplayPort A socket for connecting monitors

Distro A version of the Linox OS and the programs that go with it.

DOCX The default file format by Word 2007 and after.

Dolby Atmos Surround-sound tech thats adds 'height' to audio.

Domain These are used to identify one or more IP addresses.

Driver A file that tells Windows how to work with an external device.

DRM Digital Rights Management, Software that limits the copying of a file.

Dual boot To set up a PC with two operating systems.

 

Emoji A small graphic that can be inserted into a text or email.

Emulator A program that makes one computer act like another.

Encryption key A random string of characters used to encrypt and decrypt sensitive data.

End-to-end encryption Encrypting messages so only the sender and recipient can read them.

Ethernet A standard used for almost all wired computer networks.

EXE A program file designed to run on Windows.

exFAT Microsoft's file system for USB sticks and SD cards.

 

False positive When an anti-program wrongly detects a malware infection.

FAT32 An old system used for formatting hard drives

Field of view The amount of space measured in angles that can be seen from the camera lens .

Firewall Software or hardware that prevents unauthorised access to a PC.

Firmware Software stored on hardware to control it's operation.

FLAC A type of digital audio that can be created from CD with no loss of audio quality.

Flash memory A type of memory that can retain information without a power source.

Forked When developers take source code from software to make another program.

Full HD Resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.

 

Gesture Finger movements on a screen that performs an action.

GHz Gigahertz. A measure of how many instructions a chip can process per second.

GIF A type of image often used on the web.

Gigabit Ethernet A very fast networking standard that can transfer date at up to 1000Mbps.

GPS Global positioning system. Satellite-based navigational system

GPU A chip designed to creat 3D graphics, but can also be used for other computing tasks.

Graphics card A component in a computer that produces the image shown on the monitor.

 

Hardware encryption A method of encrypting data using Specialised hardware.

HDMI High Definition Media Interface. A type of connection that transmits high-definition video and audio signals.

HSPA Evolved High-Speed Packet Access. A mobile-network technology that enhances the performance of 3G networks.

Hz Hertz. Measures the frequency. 1Hz equals once a second.

 

IP address A unique set of numbers used to identify computers and websites on the internet.

IP56 Protected from limited dust exposure and strong water jets, but not fully waterproof or dust proof.

 

JPEG XL Modern image format with both lossy and lossless compression.

 

Kill switch Quickly shuts down a device or app to stop it working. Usually for safety or security.

 

LED Light Emitting Display. An electronic device that emits light.

Lossless File formats that take up more space but provide higher sound/video quality.

 

M4P Apple's DRM file format for music bought from its I-Tunes store before 2009.

Metadata A set of data that gives information about a file.

MicroSD card A small type of memory card.

MVNO Mobile Virtual Network Operater. A mobile provider that piggybacks on another network.

 

NPU Specialised chip designed for performing AI tasks.

NTFS New Technology File System. A file system used by all recent versions of Windows.

 

OCulink Connectivity standard that allows high-speed data transfers between devices using PCI Express.

OGG a free alternative to the MP3 standardfor compressing digital audio.

OLED a thin-film organic light-emitting diode used in computer displays and television screens.

Open source Software that can be modified by anyone.

 

Passkey A method for signing into accounts by typing a one-off code, fingerprint or facial recognition rather than a password.

Phishing A form of internet fraud that tries to trick you into revealing personal details.

Plain text Text in a document that doesn't contain any formatting.

Proxy server A computer that sits between your computer and the internet and filters the connection.

 

QHD Quad high definition.

QR code A bar code that can be read using smartphones.

Quick charge Qualcomm's fast-charging standard.

 

Ram The computer's working area, used for data storage while the PC is switched on.

Ransomware Malware run by hackers who lock files on your PC and demand a payment to release them.

Read speed How long it takesa hard drive to 'read' data, and respond to it.#

Refresh rate Measured in Hertz (Hz), the number of times per second that the image on your monitor is redrawn.

Refurbished A second-hand device that has been repaired by its manufacture.

 

Smishing Scams that involved text messages sent to phones.

Split tunnelling Lets you choose which apps use a VPN and which use your regular internet connection, improving speed and flexibility.

SSD Storage that, unlike a hard drive, uses no moving parts.

 

Tag A keyword used to describe a file or web page.

Timestamp The time which an event is recorded by a computer.

TLS A Technology for keeping information secure and secret when sent over the internet.

TOPS Trillion operations per second. A measure of a PC's processing power when performing AI tasks.

TOR Browser A web browser designed for anonymous surfing.

TPM A computer chip that stores keys which encrypt data on your hard drive.

Tri-band A router that broadcasts on three radio bands.

Two-factor authentication A system that uses two different means to identify a user.

TXT A basic file format that contains nothing but text.

 

USB 2.0/3.0/3.1/3.2/4.0 Faster successors to USB

USB Power Delivery Technology that enables faster charging and data transfer via USB cable.

USB-A The original type of USB connector, released in 1996.

USB-C A connector thats reversable.

 

VPN Keeps all internet communication safe and private.

 

Wi-Fi 5 A standard for wireless networks that allows for much higher transfer speeds than 802.11. than 

Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi Standard with speeds up to 10 times faster than 802.11ac.

Wi-Fi 6E Extende to include the 6 GHz band.

Wi-Fi Calling Lets you make and receive coice and video calls over a Wi-Fi connection.

Widget A small program such as a calendar that runs on the Windows desktop.

Write speed How long it takes a hard drive to save data.

 

ZIP file A file that contains compressed documents of files.