Glossary

< A : B : C : D : E : F : G : H : I : J : K : L : M : N : P : R : S : T : U : V : W : X >

A

authenticated SMTP: A security protocol (or standard) which uses your login information to verify who you are when you send e-mail. It is intended to prevent spam, viruses, and other abuses of a mail server.

B

bandwidth: The capacity of a data connection, measured in bits transmitted per second. For example, a T1 is capable of transmitting 1.544 Mbps.
bit: One bit is a single digital zero or one.
byte: One byte represents a single character, usually 8 bits.

C

CAP: Carrierless Amplitude and Phase Modulation. A protocol (or standard) for transmitting data over a DSL line. CAP was used by Qwest until mid-2001, when they switched to DMT for all new and upgraded DSL lines.
CGI: Common Gateway Interface. A standard method for a web server to run and communicate with another program or script on the server. CGI scripts are often used to generate dynamic content on a web site, or to process information submitted to the web site by a browser.
cookie: A small piece of information which is sent by a web server to a web browser. The web browser is expected to store the cookie and send it back to the server with any future requests. Cookies are often used to store user preferences, login information, or the contents of a virtual shopping cart.

D

DMT: Discrete Multi-tone. A protocol (or standard) for transmitting data over a DSL line. DMT is the protocol currently used by Qwest.
DNS: Domain Name System. A system of servers and standards for translating a hostname (for example, www.iphouse.com) to an IP address (216.250.184.1).
DNSBL: DNS Blacklist. A list of IP addresses which has been linked to spamming. Mail servers may use DNSBLs to reject or quarantine e-mail messages from listed IP addresses as likely spam.
DSL: Digital Subscriber Line. A technology for providing high-speed data connections over a regular copper telephone line.

E

e-mail: Electronic mail. Messages sent from one person to another via a computer network. E-mail messages may also include attached files, and be sent to a large number of people through mailing lists.
ethernet: A common technology for connecting computers in a LAN. Ethernet is capable of transmitting data at 10 Mbps to 1000 Mbps.

F

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions. A compilation of answers to common questions on a topic.
firewall: A device and/or software which separates a network into two or more segments for security, and controls what types of data are allowed to be transmitted between them.
FTP: File Transfer Protocol. A protocol (or standard) for transferring files to and from an FTP server.

G

greylisting: Greylisting is an anti-spam technique in which a mail server temporarily refuses an incoming e-mail message, and waits until the second try before accepting it. Standard mail servers will queue the message for a short time, and keep trying until the message is successfully sent. This is effective against spam, because spammers generally run non-standard mail servers which don't bother to retry later.

H

hostname: The common name of a computer (or host) on the Internet. For example, www.iphouse.com
HTML: HyperText Markup Language. The common language for writing web pages. HTML uses a standard set of markup tags to add structure, meaning, and formatting to text, and to create hyperlinks to other web pages or content.
HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol. A protocol (or standard) for accessing and downloading web pages and other content from a web server.

I

IMAP: Internet Message Access Protocol. A protocol (or standard) for accessing and downloading e-mail messages from a mail server. IMAP is more sophisticated than POP, and provides an e-mail client greater control over messages and folders on the mail server.
Internet: The Internet is the global network of networks connected via TCP/IP.
intranet: A private network which uses the same protocols as the public Internet (TCP/IP, HTTP, etc.), but only for the internal use of a company or organization.
IP address: The unique numeric address of a computer on the Internet. IP addresses are usually written as four numbers separated by periods. For example, 216.250.184.1
ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network. A technology for providing digital voice and data connections over a regular copper telephone line.
ISP: Internet Service Provider. A company or organization which provides access to the Internet to others.

J

javascript: An HTML embedded scripting language which is parsed and run by the web browser. Javascript is often used to provide interactive content on a web site.

K

kB: Kilobyte. One byte represents a single character, usually 8 bits. One thousand bytes is 1 kB.
kbps: Kilobits per second. One bit is a single digital zero or one. One thousand bits transmitted in one second is 1 kbps.
kBps: Kilobytes per second. One byte represents a single character, usually 8 bits. One thousand bytes transmitted in one second is 1 kBps.

L

LAN: Local Area Network. A network which connects computers in a relatively small area, such as a home, office, building, or campus.

M

malware: Computer software which is malicious in nature, designed to deliberately damage or cause problems on computer systems or networks. For example, trojans, viruses, or worms.
MB: Megabyte. One byte represents a single character, usually 8 bits. One million bytes is 1 MB.
Mbps: Megabits per second. One bit is a single digital zero or one. One million bits transmitted in one second is 1 Mbps.
MBps: Megabytes per second. One byte represents a single character, usually 8 bits. One million bytes transmitted in one second is 1 MBps.
modem: Modulator-demodulator. A device for converting and transmitting digital data over an analog telephone line. Modern modems are capable of transmitting data at up to 56 kbps.
MTA: Mail transport agent, also referred to as a mail server or mail exchanger. Computer software for transferring email between systems.

N

NAT: Network Address Translation. A system of translating an IP address used within an internal network to a different IP address used on another, outside network. DSL routers may use NAT (also called "Port Forwarding" or "Virtual Server" on some routers) to direct incoming connections to servers on the local network.
NNTP: Network News Transfer Protocol. A protocol (or standard) for accessing and downloading messages from, posting messages to, and distributing messages between USENET news servers.

P

password: A password is a secret code of letters and numbers which is used to control access to a computer system. On a multi-user system, each username is associated with its own password, controlling access for that user.
PHP: PHP Hypertext Preprocessor. An HTML embedded scripting language which is parsed and run by the web server. PHP scripts are often used to generate dynamic content on a web site, or to process information submitted to the web site by a browser.
POP: Post Office Protocol. A protocol (or standard) for accessing and downloading e-mail messages from a mail server.
power cycle: Turn the device off (or unplug its power cord, if it does not have a power button or switch), wait a minute, then turn it back on again.
PPP: Point to Point Protocol. A protocol (or standard) for connecting a computer via a dialup modem connection to a TCP/IP network.

R

RHSBL: Right Hand Side Blacklist. A list of domains which has been linked to spamming. Mail servers may use RHSBLs to reject or quarantine e-mail messages from listed domains as likely spam.
router: A device which connects one network to another using a common protocol such as TCP/IP.
RSS: Really Simple Syndication. An XML-based format for allowing news items or other content from one site to be republished by another.

S

search engine: A service which provides the ability to search the Internet for information, usually by key words or phrases. For example, Google.
SMTP: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. A protocol (or standard) for sending e-mail messages.
spam: Unsolicited junk messages sent to a large number of people via e-mail, USENET, or other communications.
spider: Software used by a search engine to automatically find and collect web pages or other information into a searchable database.
spyware: Software which is secretly installed on a computer and monitors or alters the use of that computer. Spyware is often a trojan program, or installs itself as part of other software downloaded from the Internet.
SSH: Secure Shell. A protocol (or standard) similar to telnet which uses encryption to protect data.
SSL: Secure Sockets Layer. A security protocol (or standard) for using encryption to protect data being transmitted over the Internet. A URL which begins with https: instead of http: indicates that SSL is being used by the web server.

T

T1: A digital data connection capable of transmitting data at 1.544 Mbps over 24 channels. T1s are often used to connect larger networks or for voice service.
TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. The basic communication protocol (or standard) for transmitting data between computers on the Internet.
telnet: A protocol (or standard) which allows a user to connect and log in to another computer over the network. Telnet may be used to access UNIX command line shells, MUDs, or other services.
TLS: Transport Layer Security. TLS is a recent name/version of SSL.
trojan: Software which is seemingly harmless, but is actually malicious in nature. Trojans rely on the user of a computer to download and install them. They may monitor or alter the use of the computer, and may accidentally or deliberately damage or cause problems on the infected computer.

U

UNIX: A computer operating system, originally developed at AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1969. There are now numerous versions of UNIX, which run on everything from small personal computers to large Internet servers. UNIX is designed to be used by many people at the same time (multi-user), run many programs at the same time (multi-tasking), and is network friendly.
URL: Uniform Resource Locator. A standard scheme of addressing web pages and other content on the WWW. URLs usually consist of a protocol (http, ftp, etc.), hostname, and file path. For example, http://www.iphouse.com/
USENET: USENET is a global, decentralized network of news and discussion groups. There are over thirty thousand newsgroups, organized into hierarchies by topic.
username: A username is a unique name for each user of a computer system.

V

virus: Software which is capable of reproducing itself by copying its code into other software. Viruses spread when infected software is downloaded from one computer to another, and may accidentally or deliberately damage or cause problems on the infected computer. Anti-virus software can be used to scan for and remove viruses.
VPN: Virtual Private Network. A network in which some or all of its computers are connected using the public Internet, but the data sent between them is encrypted, so that the network is "virtually" private.

W

WAN: Wide Area Network. A network or network of networks which connects computers across a very large area, such as a state, country, or the world.
webmail: Software which allows a user to read and send e-mail via a web interface, accessible using any web browser.
WLAN: Wireless Local Access Network. A LAN which is connected without physical cables, using 802.11b or similar technologies.
worm: Software which is capable of reproducing and transmitting itself to other computers, automatically (unlike a virus). Worms may accidentally or deliberately damage or cause problems on the infected computer. Anti-virus software can be used to scan for and remove worms.
WWW: World Wide Web. The global network of HTTP servers and linked resources accessible via a web browser.

X

XML: Extensible Markup Language. A general-purpose markup language for adding structure and semantics to data.

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