Like any discipline or culture, the internet has all kinds of terms that are foreign to newcomers. Whether you have trouble understanding the language of the web or have seen a new word popping up and wonder what it means, we’re here to help with a glossary of common internet terms.
So let's start it.
ERROR (404)
One of the most common errors seen online, a 404 simply means that the page you’re looking for doesn’t exist. Typically, you’ll see this when you click a link to a page that’s no longer available or enters an incorrect address into your browser.Add-Ons (Extensions)
Browser add-ons (in Firefox) or extensions (in Chrome) are small pieces of software that provide extra functionality to your browser. They can introduce huge benefits but are also potential privacy risks.Anime
While anime is a catch-all Japanese term for animation, the world outside of Japan uses anime to refer specifically to Japanese animation.Archive
Archiving is the act of removing data from an active environment but keeping it handy in a secondary location. For example, you might archive some old photos by placing them on a secondary hard drive.Bandwidth
In computer network and computer science, digital bandwidth or just bandwidth means the amount of data that can be sent from one point to another in a certain period of time. It is measured as a bit rate expressed in bits per second (bits/s) or multiples of it (kbit/s Mbit/s etc.)Blog
A blog is simply a website that posts frequent content updates for visitors. Blogs can be simple spots where one person posts their thoughts using a free service, or complex websites with teams of authors, similar to an online magazine.Cloud
The “cloud” is a common term for a set of someone else’s servers devoted to an internet service. Dropbox, Gmail, and Office Online are all cloud services because remote servers handle the work instead of your PC. and I love the cloud.Cookie
A cookie is a small piece of information on your computer that websites use to track your data between sessions.Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is the act of raising money for a new project through donations online. This relies on receiving a small amount of money each from many people. Well-known crowdfunding websites include Kickstarter and GoFundMe.
The dark Web is comprised of websites that are visible to the public, but their IP address details are intentionally hidden. These websites can be visited by anyone on Internet, but it is not easy to find the server details on which the corresponding site is running, and it is difficult to track the one hosting the site.Dark Web
The dark Web concept is achievable with the help of anonymity tools. Some popular tools are Tor and I2P. The dark Web is popular for both black market and user protection, so it has both positive and negative aspects.Doxing
search for and publish private or identifying information about (a particular individual) on the Internet, typically with malicious intent.Embed
Embedding is simply integrating content from one source into another online. A YouTube video or Spotify playlist linked partway through a MakeUseOf article is embedded.Encryption
The translation of data into a secret code. Encryption is the most effective way to achieve data security. To read an encrypted file, you must have access to a secret key or password that enables you to decrypt it. Unencrypted data is called plain text ; encrypted data is referred to as cipher text.Firewall
Firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. A firewall typically establishes a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external network, such as the Internet.Hashtag
A hashtag is a simple form of metadata for posts on social media sites, particularly Twitter and Instagram. It allows you to mark your post so that others can easily find it and others about a specific topic.Hotspot
A hotspot is a specific location that provides Internet access via a wireless local area network (WLAN). The term is generally synonymous with a Wi-Fi connection. A network that creates a hotspot primarily includes a modem and wireless router. The radio frequency (RF) waves sent by the wireless network extend in different directions from its centralized location. These signals become weaker as they travel, either further from the central location or due to interference.HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is an extension of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol for secure communication over a computer network and is widely used on the Internet. In HTTPS, the communication protocol is encrypted using Transport Layer Security, or formerly, its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer.IP Address
An IP address is a number assigned to every device that connects to the internet. Each device on your home network has an internal IP address that only your home devices can see. Meanwhile, your entire network has one external IP address that the internet at large views.Malware
Malware (a portmanteau for malicious software) is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server or computer network. ... The code is described as computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, and scareware, among other terms.Phishing
Phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search engine results.URL
Uniform Resource Locator: a protocol for specifying addresses on the Internet. an address that identifies a particular file on the Internet, usually consisting of the protocol, as http, followed by the domain name.Godwin’s Law
Godwin’s law is an old internet maxim that states as an online discussion progresses, the chances increase that someone will bring up a comparison to Hitler. While it sounds silly, it’s fascinating to see it in action on forums, Facebook comment conversations, and similar.Online/Offline
This one’s simple—online means that your computer, phone, or other device is connected to the internet. Conversely, if you’re offline, you don’t have a connection and are thus cut off from the rest of the online world.Paywall
A paywall refers to blocking online content unless you pay for it. If websites can’t cover their costs via advertising or other methods, they often turn to paywalls. Some websites use a soft paywall, where you can view a few articles for free and have to pay afterwards. The New York Times is an example.
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