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The Boomer Byte Glossary
The Boomer Byte Tech Glossary
Explore essential tech terms with the Boomer Byte Tech Glossary designed for seniors to navigate technology with confidence.
Term | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
App (Application) | A software program designed to perform specific tasks on computers, smartphones, or tablets. | WhatsApp, Spotify |
Browser | A software application used to access and navigate the internet. | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox |
Cloud Storage | A service that allows users to save data online, accessible from any internet-connected device. | Dropbox, Google Drive |
Electronic mail, a way to send messages and files over the internet to other email addresses. | Gmail, Outlook | |
Operating System (OS) | The software that manages all other software and hardware on a computer or mobile device. | Windows for PCs, iOS for iPhones |
WiFi | Wireless Fidelity, a technology that allows devices to connect to the internet and communicate wirelessly. | Home Wi-Fi network |
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) | The address used to access a specific website or webpage on the internet. | |
Social Media | Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or participate in social networking. | Facebook, Instagram |
Tablet | A portable computing device with a touchscreen interface, larger than a smartphone but smaller than a laptop. | iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab |
Smartphone | A mobile phone that includes functionalities beyond making phone calls and sending text messages. | iPhone, Samsung Galaxy |
Bluetooth | A wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances between devices. | Wireless headphones connecting to a phone |
Search Engine | A software system designed to search for information on the World Wide Web. | Google, Bing |
Antivirus Software | A program designed to detect and remove malware and other threats to a computer or network. | Norton, McAfee |
E-commerce | The buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. | Amazon, eBay |
Hashtag | A word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#), used on social media to identify messages on a specific topic. | #ThrowbackThursday on Twitter |
Streaming | The process of transmitting or receiving media in real-time over the internet. | Netflix for movies, Spotify for music |
Password Manager | A software application that helps a user store and organize passwords. | LastPass, 1Password |
QR Code (Quick Response Code) | A type of matrix barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone camera to direct the user to a website or app. | QR codes for restaurant menus |
VPN (Virtual Private Network) | A service that encrypts your internet connection to secure it and protect your privacy when using public Wi-Fi. | NordVPN, ExpressVPN |
Digital Wallet | A system that securely stores users' payment information and passwords for numerous payment methods and websites. | Apple Pay, Google Wallet |
Cookies | Small pieces of data stored by websites on your computer or device to remember your preferences and activity. | Websites asking to accept cookies |
Bandwidth | The maximum rate of data transfer across a given path, affecting how quickly you can download or upload information on the internet. | High bandwidth allows for faster streaming of HD videos. |
Phishing | Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by disguising as a trustworthy entity in digital communications. | Email pretending to be from a bank asking for login information. |
Firewall | A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. | Windows Firewall, protecting a PC from unauthorized access. |
Accessibility Features | Tools and settings designed to make devices and software easier to use for those with physical or cognitive challenges. | Text-to-speech, magnifiers on smartphones. |
Algorithm | A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer. | Google's search algorithm |
Cloud Computing | The delivery of computing services over the internet, allowing for faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale. | Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud |
Crowdsourcing | Obtaining information or input into a task or project by enlisting the services of a large number of people, typically via the Internet. | Wikipedia, Kickstarter |
Data Mining | The process of analyzing large sets of data to identify patterns and relationships that can be used to make decisions. | Market research using customer data analysis |
Digital Signature | A mathematical technique used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a message, software, or digital document. | Signing PDF documents electronically |
Ebook (Electronic Book) | A book publication made available in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, readable on the display of computers or other electronic devices. | Amazon Kindle eBooks |
Firewall | A network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and decides whether to allow or block specific traffic. | Norton Personal Firewall |
Geotagging | The process of adding geographical identification metadata to various media such as photos, video, websites, or SMS messages. | Instagram photos tagged with a location |
Hashtag | A word or phrase preceded by a hash or pound sign (#) and used to identify messages on a specific topic. | #fitness on Instagram |
Internet of Things (IoT) | The network of physical objects—devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity. | Smart thermostats, smart home security systems |
Machine Learning | A type of artificial intelligence (AI) that allows software applications to become more accurate at predicting outcomes without being explicitly programmed to do so. | Netflix recommendations |
Net Neutrality | The principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, without favoring or blocking particular products or websites. | Equal loading speeds for all websites |
Open Source | Software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. | Linux operating system |
Podcast | A digital audio or video file or recording, usually part of a themed series, that can be downloaded from a website to a media player or computer. | "This American Life" podcast |
Ransomware | A type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. | WannaCry ransomware attack |
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) | The process of maximizing the number of visitors to a particular website by ensuring that the site appears high on the list of results returned by a search engine. | Optimizing content with keywords for Google |
Smart Home | A residence that uses internet-connected devices to enable the remote monitoring and management of appliances and systems, such as lighting and heating. | Philips Hue smart lighting |
Social Networking | The use of internet-based social media sites to stay connected with friends, family, or peers. | LinkedIn for professional networking |
Touchscreen | An electronic visual display that the user can control through simple or multi-touch gestures. | Touchscreen smartphones and tablets |
User Interface (UI) | The means by which the user and a computer system interact, in particular the use of input devices and software. | The graphical layout of an app |
Virtual Reality (VR) | The use of computer technology to create a simulated environment that can be explored in 360 degrees. | Oculus Rift for gaming |
Wearable Technology | Electronic technologies or devices that are worn on the body as accessories or part of clothing. | Fitbit fitness trackers |
Webinar | A presentation, lecture, workshop, or seminar that is transmitted over the Web using video conferencing software. | Online training sessions or educational lectures |
Wi-Fi Direct | A standard that enables devices to connect with each other without requiring a wireless access point. | Printing from a smartphone to a Wi-Fi Direct printer |
Zero-Day Attack | A cyber attack that occurs on the same day a weakness is discovered in software, before a fix becomes available. | Exploiting a previously unknown software vulnerability |
Plugin | A software component that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program. | Adobe Flash Player for web browsers |
Wi-Fi Hotspot | A physical location where people can access the internet, typically using Wi-Fi, via a wireless local area network. | Cafes or airports offering free Wi-Fi access |
Domain Name | The part of a network address that identifies it as belonging to a particular domain. | |
Encryption | The process of converting information or data into a code, especially to prevent unauthorized access. | HTTPS websites encrypt data in transit. |
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) | A format for image files that supports both animated and static images. | Animated GIFs used in messaging apps |
ISP (Internet Service Provider) | A company that provides access to the Internet. | Comcast, Verizon |
Malware | Software that is intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems. | Viruses, spyware |
PDF (Portable Document Format) | A file format used to present documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. | Adobe PDF for eBooks, forms |
Pixel | The smallest element of an image that can be individually processed in a video display system. | High-resolution displays have more pixels. |
Router | A device that forwards data packets along networks. Connected to at least two networks. | Home Wi-Fi routers |
Screenshot | An image taken by the computer, tablet, or smartphone user to record the visible items displayed. | Screenshot of a webpage on a smartphone |
Spam | Irrelevant or inappropriate messages sent on the Internet to a large number of recipients. | Junk email folders filled with spam |
SSD (Solid State Drive) | A storage device containing nonvolatile flash memory, used in place of a hard disk for speed. | SSDs in modern laptops |
USB (Universal Serial Bus) | An industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors, and protocols for connection, communication, and power supply. | USB flash drives, USB charging cables |
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) | A technology that allows voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular phone line. | Skype, Zoom |
Webcam | A video camera that feeds or streams its image in real time to or through a computer to a computer network. | Webcams for video conferencing |
Cache | A hardware or software component that stores data so future requests for that data can be served faster. | Browser cache speeding up website loading |
Data Breach | A security incident in which information is accessed without authorization. | Data breaches exposing personal information |
Emoji | Small digital images or icons used to express an idea or emotion in electronic communication. | Emojis in text messages and social media |
Hyperlink | A reference to data that the reader can directly follow either by clicking or by hovering. | Blue, underlined text links on websites |
Meme | A humorous image, video, piece of text, etc., that is copied and spread rapidly by Internet users. | Viral internet memes shared on social media |
Operating System Update | Software released by the developers of an operating system to fix bugs, enhance functionality, or improve security. | Windows 10 updates, macOS updates |
Pop-up | A form of online advertising that appears suddenly in a webpage's foreground. | Pop-up ads for online sales |
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) | A web feed that allows users and applications to receive regular updates from a website or blog. | RSS feeds for news websites |
Two-factor Authentication (2FA) | A security process in which the user provides two different authentication factors to verify themselves. | Using a password and a text message code for online banking |