Let’s face it, most of struggle to know our ADSL from our ELBOW – complex terminology makes us all feel uneasy. But relax and let us explain what these things can do for you.
ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. The technology that enables fast data transmission over traditional copper telephone lines. It does this by using different frequencies from those used by a voice telephone call.
anti-virus software – protects against malicious software that could otherwise infect your computer. We recommend that you install anti-virus software before connecting to the Internet. Click here for details on Virgin Media’s anti-virus software, PCguard.
attachment – any file stored on your computer can potentially be “attached” to an email and then sent to another computer, or computers. Attachments can be text, graphics or multimedia files. As a general rule, files larger than 10MB are too big to be sent in this way, although you can compress files using a zip program. See also zip program.
banner – a small advertisement sometimes found on web pages.
broadband – a high-speed Internet connection, usually measured in Mbps (megabits per second). A 1Mbps connection is approximately 20 times faster than a standard 56kbps dial-up connection.
browser - See web browser.
bit – a unit of electronic data used to measure the size of files sent across your broadband connection and stored on your computer. The higher the number of bits in a file, the bigger it is and the more time it is likely to take to travel over your broadband connection. See also kb, Mb.
cache – a storage space on your computer that keeps a record of each internet web page that you visit.
client – any device that relies on a “server” in another part of a network to provide it with a service, for example, web pages or email. Your computer is a client when it connects to the Internet because it relies on a server elsewhere in the network to send the web pages you request.
cookie – a parcel of information, sent from a website to your computer when you access a particular page. Cookies are often used to store personal details, such as names and preferences to save you having to re-enter the information again.
dial up – the original method of connecting to the Internet. Usually, the maximum connection speed is much slower than broadband. Also, it is not possible to make a telephone call at the same time as making a dial-up connection to the Internet.
DNS - Domain Name System. The technology that assigns names to IP addresses, which means you can type in www.virginmedia.com instead of having to remember a long winded IP address!
download – the term used to describe the transfer of a file, for example a web site, from a server onto your computer.
email – electronic mail – A method of transferring information electronically from one computer to another (or many others) across the Internet. The information can be as simple as a text message typed onto a keyboard, but can also include text, graphic or multimedia files sent as attachments to the email message. Email messages can be sent from specific email programs (called clients) installed on your computer, or using webmail which requires only a web browser. See attachment, client, web browser, webmail.
encryption – protects data sent over a wireless network from being intercepted by other computers in range. There are two types of encryption – WEP and WAP. See WEP and WAP for details.
Ethernet – a connection type, designed specifically for connecting network devices on a LAN (for example, your computer to a modem).
fibre optic – technology that can transmit data over longer distances and at higher data rates than traditional copper wire. This is because there is no electromagnetic interference, and so less data is lost during transmission.
firewall – a security device or software program which prevents hackers from accessing your computer. We recommend that you install a firewall before connecting to the Internet. Click here for details on Virgin Media’s firewall software, PCguard.
FTP – File Transfer Protocol – the method by which files are sent over the Internet.
home page – the web page that always displays first when you open your web browser. Can be changed at any time.
http – hypertext transfer protocol – the method by which web pages are sent over the Internet, and are able to keep their dynamic links in place.
IMAP – Interim Mail Access Program – a method of accessing emails that enables you to view them whilst they are on the server. For this reason, IMAP does not require you to have an email client on your computer; you simply need a web browser, and in Internet-enabled computer. See also POP3, webmail.
IP – Internet Protocol – the method by which data is sent to the correct destination device over the Internet, Each device connected to the Internet is assigned a unique IP address, which serves the same purpose as a telephone number, directing traffic to the correct destination.
IP address – see IP
ISP – Internet Service Provider, for example Virgin Media.
kb (kilobits) – 1,000 bits. See also bits, Mb.
LAN – Local Area Network – a network covering a small geographical area, such as a home or office. A LAN can then be connected to a WAN (Wide Area Network), such as the Internet, for transfer of data across larger areas.
Local Area Network – see LAN.
Mb (Megabits) – approximately 1 million bits, Broadband connection speeds are usually shown in Mbps (Megabits per second). See also bits, kb.
modem – a device that enables a computer to transmit over the Internet by translating the different signal types that can be used over the network.
multimedia – A term used to describe media that is made up of dynamic content, such as video, animation and audio. Any web content that is more than simple text or still graphics is classed as multimedia.
net – common abbreviation of Internet.
newsgroup – An area on the Internet which allows users to discuss a specific topic.
peer to peer (P2P) – an alternative to the client-server network type; in a peer-to-peer network two or more devices are connected without the need for a central server. Usually used for file sharing.
ping – a basic computer tool that tests your connection by sending a signal to another device on the network, and waiting for a response.
POP3 – Post Office Protocol v3 – the most common protocol for downloading email. It requires an email client to be installed on your computer, and defines how the email client interacts with the server to download email messages. See also IMAP
proxy server – A server that acts on behalf of a client and handles requests to and from other servers, and directs traffic along the most efficient route.
RAM – Random Access Memory – Memory which stores data temporarily in your machine. When you switch your machine off, this data is lost and is not stored on your hard drive.
ROM – Read Only Memory – Built-in computer memory containing data that normally can only be read, not written to. ROM contains the programming that allows your computer to be booted up each time you turn it on.router – a network device that intelligently decides where to forward data. If you have a router connected to your modem, you can connect two or more computers to your broadband connection.
server – a device in a network that provides a service to other devices connected to the network. For example, a web server sends (or serves) web pages at the request of other network devices, called clients.
SMTP – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol – the standard protocol for transmitting email across the Internet, used by email servers to send and receive messages, and by email clients to send messages. Email clients normally use another protocol, such as POP3 or IMAP, to receive email. See also IMAP, POP3.
surfing – a slang word for browsing the Internet.
TCP – Transmission Control Protocol – a set of rules that control how data is transmitted between two devices over the Internet. One of the features of TCP is that it ensures that nothing is missing when the data is delivered, but to do this it re-transmits lost data, which can slow up transmission times.
traceroute – a computer tool that literally traces the route of the data sent to and from your computer, by following the IP address trail.
URL – Uniform Resource Locater – the obscure name given to the unique “www” address of each and every web page on the Internet. For example, www.virginmeda.com is the URL of the Virgin Media home page; every other page on the Virgin Media web site also has its own unique URL.
USB – Universal Serial Bus – a connection type, used on an increasing number of different devices enabling them all to be connected to your computer. A USB connection can be used to connect everything from network equipment, such as a modem or router, to peripherals such as a computer mouse or a flash drive.
virus – A computer program designed to infect your computer and cause problems with its operation. Viruses can be counteracted by installing up to date anti-virus software on your computer. Click here for details on Virgin Media’s anti-virus software, PCguard.
web – abbreviation of world wide web (www); both are alternative names for the Internet.
web browser – a program, such as Internet Explorer, that enables you to see and download web sites and web pages. You must have a web browser installed on your computer to use the Internet.
webmail – an alternative to using an email client to access your emails. Webmail only requires a web browser, and is available from any Internet-enabled computer in the world.
webspace – your personal allowance of space on the Internet, to create your own web site, for example. Virgin Media gives you an allowance as part of your account with us – click here for details.
WEP – Wired Equivalent Privacy – a method of encrypting data over wireless connections to prevent interception. Has largely been superseded by WPA. See also WPA.
wireless – a method of transmitting data without the need for cables. If you have been given access to a wireless access point (WAP) device, you can connect your computer to the Internet from anywhere in your home, office or elsewhere, provided it is within range of the WAP device.
WPA – WiFi Protected Access –a method of encrypting data over wireless connections to prevent interception. See also WEP.
www – world wide web.
zip program – software that can compress larger files for purposes of sending over the Internet, or for storage.
