Administrator A type of 'user account' that allows you to make important changes to Windows XP | Notebook A notebook is a small, lightweight computer that you can easily transport. A notebook computer is also often called a laptop. |
Antivirus This is software that protects your computer from viruses. | Operating system The key program that controls the rest of your computer. |
Backup A copy of files or programs for safekeeping | PDF Portable Document Format. A format for viewing and sending documents regardless of how the original documents were created. |
Broadband A fast way of connecting to the internet | Peripherals Things such as printers and scanners that plug into your computer. |
Browser A program that allows you to view webpages | Pixel A picture element - the basic unit of a digital image. |
Burner A PC 'drive' that copies files to CD or DVD | Port A computer socket into which you plug equipment. |
CD-ROM Compact Disk Read Only Memory. This is a CD that can be read but not changed. Most software is sold on CD-ROMs. | Ram Your computer's short term memory. |
Compatible Different systems that can work together | Recovery CD A disc that reinstalls your operating system from scratch . |
Compress A method of shrinking a file's size. Also known as 'zipping' | Reformat The process by which a storage medium such as a hard drive is 'erased'. |
CPU Central Processing Unit. This is the brain of the computer. Also known as the processor. | Resolution The sharpness and clarity of a digital image, monitor or printer. |
Desktop A personal computer small enough to fit on your desk but too big to be considered easily portable like a laptop. | Roll back Recovering data or settings to a previous state. |
Dial-up A slow internet connection that transfers data over normal phone lines | Safe Mode A cut-down version of Windows that helps you to diagnose problems. |
Domain name A name, such as Microsoft.com, that the pages of a website share in common | Scanner A device used to create digital copies of images that plug into your computer. |
Driver Software that lets your computer's operating system communicate with equipment such as printers | Search engine A website that searches the web for pages relating to a particular topic. |
.exe The file extension that indicates an executable file - one that can 'run' a program. | Server A computer that manages network resources. Your ISP's email server delivers your emails and forwards the ones you send. |
FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions) A webpage that answers common questions. | Service pack 2 A critical update for Windows XP that fixes many security problems. |
Firewall Hardware or software that monitors files entering or leaving your PC to stop hackers and malicious software. | Shareware Software you can download online for a small fee. |
Floppy drive A drive that allows you to read or write to floppy disks. | Software The programs that run on a computer. Without software, your hardware such as computers and printers is unable to function. Software can also be known as applications. |
GB (Gigabyte) A measurement of data storage space. Eight bits make up a byte. 1,024 bytes make a kilobyte, 1,024 kilobytes equal a megabyte. 1,024 megabytes equal a gigabyte. | Sound card The part of your computer that controls its sound. |
Graphics card The part of your computer responsible for displaying images onscreen. | Spyware Rogue programs that can track what you're doing on the web or your PC. |
Hacker A person who access computer in order to steal data or cause havoc. | Thumbnail A small version of a picture. |
Hard disk The main long-term storage space used by your computer to store files and programs. | Trojan horse A destructive program that masquerades as something benign or useful. |
Hardware The physical parts that make up a computer - including screen, printer etc. | Unzip The process of unpacking a compressed file so you can access it. |
Homepage The first page of any website. It can also mean the first web page that you choose to appear when you open your browser. | USB (Universal serial bus) A socket used to plug in peripherals. USB 1.1 transfers data between devices slower than USB 2.0. |
Hyperlink A link from one web page to another or from one part of a page to another. | USB drive A storage device that plugs into your computer's hard USB port and acts as a separate drive for storage and backup. |
Icon A small picture that represents a file, say, or action. | User account A way of allowing people to have individual desktop settings even if they share the same computer. |
Internet A global network linking millions of computers. | Virus A malicious program that copies itself in order to spread. |
ISP (Internet service provider) A company that provides internet access, allowing you to browse the web and send/receive mails. | Wallpaper A decorative background for your desktop. |
IT Information Technology. Anything to do with computers is often referred to as IT. | Webmail. A type of email that you access via a webpage rather than using a program on your computer. |
Laptop A portable computer; not a desktop, more frequently called notebook computer | Wizard A program that helps you perform a task by guiding you through it step by step. |
MB (Megabyte) See GB | Worm A file that makes exact copies of itself in order to spread via email, websites and so on. |
Messaging Software that lets you exchange instant text based messages with people. | |
Modem A device that transfers data over phone or cable lines. You need one to connect to the internet. | |
Network A group of connected computers. | |