vocab
Blog
A blog (short for web log) is a type of easy-to-maintain website, usually like an online diary, where the blogger publishes comments and discussions using a selection of templates. Most blogs let visitors to the site post their own comments in return.
Blacklist
A list of undesirable websites that you have blocked access to so that searching the internet is safer.
Filter
A means of preventing certain types of material from reaching your computer.
Browser
A program that allows you to use the World Wide Web to view internet pages. Internet Explorer is the most commonly used browser but Firefox, Netscape, Google Chrome, Opera and Safari are also available. Also called 'web browser'.
Bot
A program that can do things without the user of the computer having to give it instructions. Many bots are malware as they are installed without people's permission and can be controlled over the internet and used to send spam or steal data. Also known as web robots.
Firewall
A program that can protect your computer from being accessed when you're online.
Anti-virus software
A program that is used to detect, prevent, and remove malware, including viruses and Trojan horses, on your computer or sent to you in an email, chat message or on a web page.
Internet café
A public place, usually but not always serving refreshments, where you can pay to access the internet from a computer.
Bluetooth
A wireless way of exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, including mobile phones and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or card payment machines.
Internet
A worldwide network which links together millions of computers and allows them to exchange data and work together.
Compact disc
Also known as a CD. A 12cm diameter plastic disc that can store relatively large amounts of data - around 650 megabytes. Originally used for music, CDs are also used for programs and other computer data files. Many home and office computers now have CD-writers as well as CD-readers and can write—or 'burn'—data to share with friends.
File sharing
Copying files over the internet by using software that enables you to use other subscribers' computers like a specialist library. Usually the files contain music, films or programs, but any sort of file can be shared. May also known as downloading.
Family agreement
An agreement on how home computers, internet access and mobile phones will be used. Should be drawn up and agreed after discussion between family members and posted up next to the family computer or in a communal space. Create a family agreement here. Follow this link to the Family agreement page
Email address
An email address tells your email program where to send messages. The first part of the address is the name of the person's mailbox, where messages are stored. The second part, after the '@' sign, is the name of the organisation where messages should be sent over the internet.
Forums
An online discussion group, much like a chat room.
Buddy
An online friend or contact. Usually used to refer to people who you let contact you in instant messaging or chat programs
Cyberbullying
Bullying using technology, such as computers and mobile phones.
e-commerce
Buying or selling over the internet, usually from a website.
Flaming
Sending an offensive or aggressive message over the internet.
File
Some data stored on a computer. A file may contain any sort of digital content - a word processed document, a picture, some music or a film. File sharing
Bluejacking
Some users with Bluetooth-enabled mobiles use this technology to send anonymous text messages to strangers. This has been nicknamed 'bluejacking'.
Hacker
Originally thought of as a computer enthusiast, but now a hacker is normally used to refer to computer criminals, especially those who break into other people's computer networks.
Favorites
Web addresses stored in your browser, letting you go directly to specific websites/web pages. Also known as 'bookmarks'.
Bookmarks
Web addresses stored in your browser, letting you go directly to specific websites/web pages. Also known as 'favorites'.
Community forums
Websites that allow members to contact each other, take part in chats or create personal web pages.
Grooming
When a child abuser tries to start a relationship online with a child for unlawful purposes. Also see online grooming.
History
Your internet browser toolbar will have a button marked 'history'. If you click on it you can review which sites have been viewed.
Downloading
The transmission of a file from one computer system to another (often smaller) computer system. From the internet user's point of view, to download a file is to request it from one computer, or from one web page to another computer, and to receive it.
Cyberspace
This is a term for the internet, which is often viewed as a 'virtual' world.
Block
To stop a computer reaching something on the internet, to stop a program running, or to stop someone from contacting you on a chat service. Websites that are blocked can't be viewed on screen; emails that are blocked will be automatically redirected into your junk mail; chat programs that are blocked can't be started; people that are blocked cannot reach you online through that particular chatting service.
Burning
The act of copying information onto a compact disc (CD) using hardware called a CD burner.
Cyberstalking
The act of harassing someone over the internet
A popular social networking website that lets users create their own homepages, set up weblogs and add contacts.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A company that connects computers to the internet for a fee. Abbreviated to ISP.
Cookie
A cookie is a small file that is sent to a web browser by a server and stored on the user's computer. It can then be read by the server every time the user revisits the same website and is used to keep track of personal preferences, shopping choices and other information. Sometimes called a magic cookie.
Attachment
A file that is sent along with an email message. It can be any sort of file and often pictures are sent this way.
Computer network
A number of computers that are linked together so that they can exchange data. Local area networks link computers in the same building, wide area networks like the internet connect computers that may be far apart.
Bebo
A popular social networking website used by many people to share information, make friends and get in contact with one another. The term Bebo is an acronym for 'Blog early, blog often'.
eBay
A popular e-commerce site where people can put items up for auction and others can bid for and buy them.
Broadband
A relatively fast—above 512 kbps—connection to the internet. Most broadband connections are 'always on' so that your computer is connected to the internet all the time it is turned on.
Icon Short for Internet Relay Chat. An old but still widely used way of having online chats with several people at the same time. ISP Short for Internet Service Provider. A company that connects computers to the internet for a fee. iTunes Music Store An e-commerce site set up by Apple Computers which allows you to buy songs which you can listen to using the iTunes software (also provided by Apple) or transfer to your iPod personal music player. Songs bought from the iTunes Music Store can't be played on other MP3 players such as those from Creative or Sony.
A small picture used to represent an action or a file on a computer screen.
Content filter
A way of limiting access to material on the internet by examining it before it is shown to the user and deciding whether or not it is acceptable. Often used to restrict access to certain web pages when children are using computers.
A way to exchange messages over the internet. Messages are written by one person and then sent to one or more people at their email address.
Infrared
A type of invisible light that some handsets and other devices can use to communicate. Most TV remote controls use the same technology. It is an alternative to radio services like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi but requires direct line-of-sight to work.
Byte
A unit of digital information in computing and telecommunications.
Electronic signature
A way of adding a code to messages you send so that they can be proven to have come from you.
Download websites
A website that makes material available to download.
Adware
Computer programs that display adverts on the screen. Often installed without people realising. These can be malware.
Creative Commons
Creative Commons (CC) licences build upon copyright law, signalling the owner's permission that work can be used in a variety of ways, not automatically allowed under copyright law. Creative Commons search engines can help people discover materials that they can freely and legally share or build upon. See http://creativecommons.org for further information.
Functional permissions
Functional permissions are the minimum permissions required by a social networking service in order to do its job: the permissions you need to give to service providers to store and access your data to use your account. Sites may also request additional permissions, for example they might make it a requirement that you agree to let them reuse your content for purposes other than running your account. You can find out what permissions you are agreeing to by reading carefully the terms of use and privacy policies.
Address .
Generally short for 'web address'— where you find a particular web page or website on the internet, also known as a URL. May also be short for email address.
Granularity
Granularity refers to the degree to which users can set permissions with regard to their information, the choices a member can make over who gets to see what information and data they upload or create on a site. Most services offer basic permissions within broad friend categories: you can share all your information with no-one, with all friends or with everyone (the public). Granular services allow users more flexibility over what they make available and to whom. Members may be able to assign permissions to different areas of their on-site activity, make parts of their profile or particular blog posts available to specific groups.
Data
Information stored on a computer is often called data. The computer stores everything in files as a series of 1s and 0s. These files are read by programs.
IM (Instant Messenger) IP (Internet Protocol) address Every computer connected to the internet is assigned a unique number known as an internet Protocol (IP) address. Since these numbers are usually assigned in country based blocks, an IP address can often be used to identify the country from which a computer is connecting to the internet. It is not possible to tell the exact address of an individual using the IP address. IRC
Technology similar to that of chatrooms, which notifies a user when a friend is online, allowing them to 'converse' by exchanging text messages. The difference between IM and chatrooms is that IM requires you to set up a list of contacts before you can chat.
Homepage
The page that appears when you type in an organisation's web address without any file name, for example, www.childnet.com. Also used to mean someone's personal web page.