Chapter 2: Connecting And Communicating Online
phishing
A scam in which a perpetrator sends an official looking email message that attempts to obtain your personal and/or financial information.
IP address
A sequence of numbers that uniquely identifies the location of each computer or device connected to the Internet.
DNS server
A server on the Internet that usually is associated with an ISP. Short for domain name system.
proxy server
A server outside the organization's network that controls which communications pass into the organization's network.
mobile browser
A special type of browser designed for the smaller screens and limited computing power of Internet-capable mobile devices such as smartphones.
domain name
A text-based name that corresponds to the IP address of a server that hosts a website.
ccTLD
A two-letter country code in a web address.
infographic
A visual representation of data or information, designed to communicate quickly, simplify complex concepts, or present patterns or trends. Short for information graphic.
dynamic webpage
A webpage on which visitors can customize some or all of the viewed content.
media sharing site
A website that enables members to manage and share media such as photos, videos, and music.
bookmarking site
A website that enables members to organize, tag, and share links to media and other online content.
online social network
A website that encourages its members in its online community to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users.
portal
A website that offers a variety of Internet services from a single, convenient location.
hot spot
A wireless network that provides Internet connections to mobile computers and devices.
Internet
A worldwide collection of computer networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.
flames
Abusive or insulting messages.
ARPANET
Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense whose goal was to build a network that (1) allowed scientists at different physical locations to share information and work together on military and scientific projects and (2) could function even if part of the network was disabled or destroyed by a disaster such as a nuclear attack. Short for Advanced Research Projects Agency.
mobile service provider
An ISP that offers wireless Internet access to computers and mobile devices with the necessary built-in wireless capability, wireless modems, or other communications devices that enable wireless connectivity. Sometimes called a wireless data provider.
pop-up ad
An Internet advertisement that suddenly appears in a new window on top of a webpage displayed in a browser.
cloud storage
An Internet service that provides remote storage to computer users.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
An Internet standard that permits file uploading and downloading to and from other computers on the Internet.
mobile app
An application you download from a mobile device's application store or other location on the Internet to a smartphone or other mobile device.
An electronic image file format by Adobe Systems that mirrors the appearance of an original document.
blog
An informal website consisting of time-stamped articles, or posts, in a diary or journal format, usually listed in reversechronological order. Short for weblog.
intranet
An internal network that uses Internet technologies.
discussion forum
An online area in which users have written discussions about a particular subject.
multimedia
Any application that combines text with media.
host
Any computer that provides services and connections to other computers on a network. Also called a server.
Safari
Apple's browser.
cache
Area of memory that stores the contents of frequently used data or instructions.
online auction
Auction in which users bid on an item being sold by someone else on the web.
MP3
Audio format that reduces an audio file to about one-tenth its original size, while reserving much of the original quality of the sound.
microblog
Blog that allows users to publish short messages, usually between 100 and 200 characters, for others to read.
cable Internet service
Broadband Internet access provided through the cable television network via a cable modem.
digital subscriber line (DSL)
Broadband Internet connection provided through the telephone network via a DSL modem.
fixed wireless
Broadband Internet connection that uses a dish-shaped antenna on a building, such as a house or business, to communicate with a tower location via radio signals.
Fiber to the Premises (FTTP)
Broadband Internet connection that uses fiber-optic cable to provide high-speed Internet access via a modem.
mobile broadband
Broadband Internet connection that uses the cellular radio network to connect computers and devices with built-in compatible technology (such as 3G, 4G, or 5G) or a wireless modem or other communications device.
satellite Internet service
Broadband technology that provides Internet connections via satellite to a satellite dish that communicates with a satellite modem.
Opera
Browser used on both computers and mobile devices.
location sharing
Browsing option that gives websites access to your current location.
JPEG
Compressed graphics format that attempts to reach a balance between image quality and file size. Short for Joint Photographic Experts Group.
analog
Continuous (wave form) signals.
business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce
E-commerce action that involves the sale of goods and services to the general public, such as at a shopping website.
m-commerce
E-commerce that takes place using mobile devices. Short for mobile commerce.
business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce
E-commerce transaction that occurs when businesses provide goods and services to other businesses, such as online advertising, recruiting, credit, sales, market research, technical support, and training.
consumer-to-consumer (C2C) e-commerce
E-commerce transaction that occurs when one consumer sells directly to another, such as in an online auction.
flame wars
Exchanges of flames.
anonymous FTP
File transfer method whereby anyone can transfer some, if not all, available files.
contacts folder
Folder used in email programs that contains a list of names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other details about people with whom you communicate.
Chrome
Google's browser.
cyberbullying
Harassment using technology.
electronic storefront
In e-commerce applications, webpage that contains product descriptions, images, and a shopping cart.
news feed
Terminology used on social networking sites to refer to activity updates from your friends that appear on a separate page associated with your account.
bandwidth
The amount of data, instructions, and information that can travel over transmission media.
animation
The appearance of motion created by displaying a series of still images in sequence.
netiquette
The code of acceptable behaviors users should follow while on the Internet.
home page
The first page that is displayed on a website.
domain name system (DNS)
The method that the Internet uses to store domain names and their corresponding IP addresses.
The transmission of messages and files via a computer network. Short for electronic mail.
blogosphere
The worldwide collection of blogs.
graphic
Visual representation of nontext information such as a drawing, chart, or photo.
hits
Webpage names displayed by a search engine that contain the search text specified by a user.
Internet service provider (ISP)
A business that provides individuals and organizations access to the Internet free or for a fee. Sometimes called an Internet access provider.
e-commerce
A business transaction that occurs over an electronic network such as the Internet. Short for electronic commerce.
FTP server
A computer that allows users to upload and/ or download files using FTP.
pop-up blocker
A filtering program that stops pop-up ads from displaying on webpages.
email list
A group of email addresses used for mass distribution of a message. Short for electronic mailing list.
GPS receiver
A handheld, mountable, or embedded device that contains an antenna, a radio receiver, and a processor.
chat room
A location on an Internet server that permits users to chat with others who are online at the same time.
global positioning system (GPS)
A navigation system that consists of one or more earth-based receivers that accept and analyze signals sent by satellites in order to determine the receiver's geographic location.
hashtag
A number sign (#) followed by a keyword that describes and categorizes a Tweet.
plug-in
A program that extends the capability of a browser.
phishing filter
A program that warns or blocks you from potentially fraudulent or suspicious websites.
chat
A real-time typed conversation that takes place on a computer or mobile device with many other online users.
dial-up access
Internet connection that takes place when a modem in a computer connects to the Internet via a standard telephone line that transmits data and informa- tion using an analog (continuous wave pattern) signal.
broadband
Internet connection with fast data-transfer speeds and an always-on connection. (or) Transmission media that transmits multiple signals simultaneously.
Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act
Legislation whose goal is to protect trademark owners from being forced to pay a cybersquatter for a domain name that includes their trademark. ACPA for short.
bookmarks
Links to preferred websites. Also called favorites.
Internet backbone
Major carriers of network traffic.
Internet Explorer
Microsoft's browser.
Firefox
Mozilla Corporation's browser.
audio
Music, speech, or any other sound.
gigabyte (GB)
One billion characters.
MB
One million characters.
megabyte
One million characters.
ICANN
Organization that approves and controls TLDs. Short for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
PNG
Patent-free compressed graphics format that restores all image details when the file is viewed.
e-retail
Process of purchasing products or services on the web. Short for electronic retail.
keyloggers
Program often found on public computers that records keystrokes in a hidden file.
email program
Program used to create, send, receive, forward, store, print, and delete email messages.
pull
Request information from a web server.
dongle
Small device that connects to a computer and acts as a modem.
browser
Software that enables users with an Internet connection to access and view webpages on computers or mobile devices.
search engine
Software that finds websites, webpages, images, videos, news, maps, and other information related to a specific topic.
media player
Special A program that allows you to view images and animations, listen to audio, and watch video files on your computer or mobile device.
emoticons
Symbols used in online communications that express emotion.
content management system
System that enables and manages the publishing, modification, organization, and access of various forms of documents and other files, including media and webpages, on a network or the web. (or) A program that assists you with creating, editing, and hosting content on a website.
real time
Term used with online communications that means you and the people with whom you are conversing are online at the same time.
like
Terminology used on social networking sites to recommend content.
