As the use of computers and technology becomes more prevalent, it is important to know the terminology. This list of over 25 basic computer terms will help you understand some of the common words used in this field.
Computer: A device that stores and processes data according to a set of instructions given to it by its operator or programmer.
Data: Information stored electronically, often in large quantities for later processing by a computer.
Hardware: The physical parts of a computer system such as monitors, keyboards, printers etc., that are not software (the programs).
Software: Programs that tell hardware what to do with data; also called software applications or just apps.
Operating System: The program installed on a personal computer which controls the booting (the startup) and running of other programs as well as handling all input/output requests from software; examples are Mac OS, Windows 10, Android.
RAM: Random Access Memory - This is where data and program instructions are temporarily stored while a computer is working with them.
CPU: Central Processing Unit – The "brain" of a computer that determines what happens next in a sequence or set of sequences.
Input Device: The method by which data is transferred into a computer system such as mouse, keyboard, scanner etc., Data can be transferred to the CPU either directly or indirectly via an Input Device.
Printer: A device used to create hard copies of output from any computer hardware or software.
VPN: VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and it is a secure way to access private networks or companies remotely.
Tablet: Tablets are small, portable screens that allow the user to interface with digital information directly rather than through a separate device such as a laptop/desktop computer. A tablet is mobile device smaller than a laptop but larger than a smartphone; tablets run operating system software designed specifically for touchscreens (iOS, Android), the battery usually lasts longer than smartphones because tablets use flash memory (no moving parts).
Edtech: Edtech refers to any technology used in elementary education, such as iPads or smart boards.
Fintech: Fintech focuses on how technology can be applied to modernize the financial industry i.e., apps for banking and investing, online payment systems etc.
Medtech: Medtech is the application of medical science via technology; examples include heartbeat monitors and voice-activated medical record software.
Cloud Computing: Cloud Computing refers to the use of a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet rather than local servers or personal computers for data storage and computing.
Cyber Security: Cybersecurity is the collection of policies, technologies, and practices designed to protect computer networks from an attack or unauthorized access.
Internet: A group of interconnected computer networks using standardized communication protocols that allow users to connect across great distances. The internet can be used by students to obtain information for their research projects, they can play games online against people all around the world, or they can even locate places to eat near them with just one click on an app. Many thriving virtual communities exist solely online where people meet others who share similar interests with them (ex. Reddit).
Firewall: A firewall is a device that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
Website: A website is an application hosted by a server connected to the internet or a private network, it contains one or more HTML files along with other resources which can include images, videos etc. When you enter the URL of a website in your browser's URL bar, you send a request to retrieve those items from the web server. If they are sent successfully then you see them in your browser window (or tab).
eCommerce: eCommerce stands for electronic commerce; this term refers to any type of online purchasing. Many websites exist solely to allow people around the world to buy/trade virtual goods using real money; sites such as eBay or Amazon are examples of eCommerce.
SaaS: SaaS stands for Software as a Service and is a current business model in which a third-party provider makes software available online to subscribers; the backend infrastructure including hardware, storage software, etc., usually belongs to the service provider itself. Many companies now use cloud-based services such as Office 365 or Google Docs instead of traditional desktop-based programs because they allow them to access their files from multiple devices with ease.
CAPTCHA: CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart and it was originally designed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to ensure that a real user was seeking access to protected online content rather than a computer program. The system works by having the user complete a simple test that computers are not programmed to understand.
Cookie: A cookie is data sent from a website and stored on your computer's hard drive via your web browser, it contains information about you as an online user, i.e., your preferences/settings, etc.
Web Browser: Your web browser is how you view websites or any other type of internet resource; examples include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer etc.
Trojan (or Trojan horse): A trojan (or trojan horse) is malware disguised as legitimate software; once installed through trickery (users are often tricked into installing it because they expect the software to be useful) the trojan works in the background and may collect personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers etc.
Windows Defender: A security program comes with Windows that is designed to protect your computer from malicious software (malware) installed via a website. It can remove or quarantine any harmful content and it also has an antispam filter that removes pop-up ads and blocks those annoying spam emails we all receive sometimes.
Cloud Computing: Cloud computing refers to the use of a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet rather than local servers or personal computers for data storage and processing.
Virtualization: Virtualization is a method for making one computer behave as if it were two separate machines, or for simultaneously running multiple operating systems on a single computer.
Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency is an unofficial term describing any digital currency that uses cryptography to secure financial transactions between peers in a network. They are usually decentralized i.e., not controlled by one governing body, thus they can be traded anonymously which makes them attractive to criminals looking to sell/purchase illegal goods without detection. Two examples of cryptocurrency are Bitcoin and Litecoin.
