Vocabulary Words and Phrases used by Computer Professionals

Here are vocabulary words and phrases used by Computer Professionals:

Anti-spyware

1. program that helps to block and prevent spyware and other malware infections on a computer

2. monitor incoming data from email, websites, and downloads of files and stop spyware programs from getting a foothold in the computer operating system

Antivirus Program

1. also known as antivirus software

2. software program designed to protect your computer or network against computer viruses. If a virus is detected, the computer will display a warning asking what action should be taken, often giving the options to remove, ignore, or move the file

Bandwidth

1. describes network speed. The maximum data transfer rate of a network or Internet connection

2. measures how much data can be sent over a specific connection in a given amount of time

EXAMPLES: A gigabyte Ethernet connection has a bandwidth of 1,000 Mbps (megabits per second). An Internet connection via cable modem may provide 25 Mbps of bandwidth

Cloaking

1. the technique of hiding something or giving a false appearance

2. method by which most malware infects a computer

EXAMPLE: malware disguises itself as an antivirus program when in reality it is a virus

Cloud Computing

1. services over a network by a collection of servers

2. service that allows visiting users to access programs and services anywhere with Internet access without having to install other software

CPU

1. central processing unit; also known as processor or microprocessor

2. computer “brain” that processes data

Driver

1. group of files that enable one or more hardware devices to communicate

   with the computer’s operating system

2. software that allows computer hardware, such as printers, to work with the operating system

Emoticon

1. text-based faces and objects that are often seen in emails and online chat that help give the reader a sense of the writer’s feelings behind the text

Ethernet Port

1. a computer port resembling a regular telephone jack, but slightly wider, used to connect a computer to another computer, a local network, or an external DSL or cable modem

File format

1. A standard way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file. Each file type has a different file format EXAMPLES: common file formats include BMP, JPEG, GIF, PICT, PCX, TIFF

Firewall

1. software utility or hardware device that limits outside network access to a computer or local network by blocking or restricting ports

2. helps prevent unauthorized access to a company or home network

Firmware

1. software program or set of instructions programmed on a hardware device that provides necessary instructions for how the device communicates with other computer hardware

GIF

1. Graphic Interchange Format

2. a graphics file extension

3. a bitmapped graphics file

Hashtag

1. function used with Twitter or other services that assigns a post or a tweet a keyword by using a number symbol (#)

2. number symbols used to categorize tweets or posts of related topics

EXAMPLES: #ESPConference, #Education, #Health

HTML

1. Hyper-Text Markup Language

2. computer language that Web pages are written in

HTTP

1. HyperText Transfer Protocol

2. set of standards that allows users of the World Wide Web to exchange information found on web pages

HTTPS

1. HyperText Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket

2. secure method of transferring or accessing information on a web page

3. secure, encrypted sites that require login information on web pages or on web pages that contain sensitive information

EXAMPLE: online bank web page

Hyperlink

1. often referred to as just “links”

2. a word, phrase, or image that you can click on to jump to a new document or section of a document. They can be found on nearly all web pages