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Tech terms explained

Plain-English meanings for 50 computer, internet, phone and security terms, from router and Ethernet to VoIP and phishing. No jargon in the answers.

Internet & WiFi Cables & Connections Phones & Calling Security & Scams Computer Basics

No match. Try a shorter word, or call (951) 595-7716 and ask.

Internet & WiFi

Modem: The box that connects your home to your internet provider (Spectrum, Frontier, AT&T and so on). It brings the internet in; it doesn't create your WiFi by itself unless it's a combo unit.
Router: The device that shares your internet with every device in the house and creates your WiFi network. Many internet providers give you a single box that is both a modem and a router.
Mesh WiFi: A set of two or more WiFi units placed around the house that work as one network, to cover rooms a single router can't reach.Good for larger or two-story homes with dead spots.
WiFi extender: A single device that repeats your router's signal farther away. Cheaper than mesh, but often slower and sometimes creates a second network name.
2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz: The two common WiFi bands. 2.4 GHz reaches farther and through walls but is slower; 5 GHz is faster but shorter range. Many printers and smart devices only use 2.4 GHz.
SSID: The name of your WiFi network, the one you pick from the list on your phone or laptop.
ISP: Internet Service Provider: the company you pay for internet.
Mbps: Megabits per second, the unit internet speed is sold in. Higher is faster. Download speed matters most for streaming; upload speed matters for video calls and cloud backup.
Bandwidth: How much data your connection can carry at once. Several people streaming and gaming at the same time share the same bandwidth.
Latency (ping): How long data takes to make a round trip, in milliseconds. Low latency matters for gaming and video calls more than raw speed.
IP address: A number that identifies a device on a network, like a street address. Your router gives each device at home its own private IP address.
DNS: The internet's phone book. It turns names like google.com into the IP addresses computers use. When DNS fails, sites won't load even though the internet is up.
VPN: Virtual Private Network: an encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic. Used for working remotely or for privacy on public WiFi. It can also block printers and other home devices while it's on.
Public WiFi: Open WiFi at coffee shops, hotels and airports. Avoid banking or entering passwords on it unless the site uses https or you're on a VPN.

Cables & Connections

Ethernet: A wired network connection using a cable with a wide, phone-style plug (RJ45). Faster and more stable than WiFi; best for desktops, TVs and game consoles that sit near the router.
Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a (CAT cable): Categories of Ethernet cable. Cat5e handles up to 1 Gbps and is fine for most homes. Cat6 and Cat6a handle higher speeds over longer runs. Any of them works for a typical home internet plan.
Coax: The round cable with a screw-on connector used for cable TV and cable internet. It connects the wall to your modem, not your computer.
Fiber: Internet delivered over glass fiber lines. Usually the fastest home internet, with upload speeds as fast as download.
USB-C: The small oval plug used on newer laptops, phones and accessories. The same plug can carry charging, data and video, but not every USB-C cable or port does all three.
HDMI: The cable that carries video and sound from a computer or streaming box to a TV or monitor.
Bluetooth: Short-range wireless for headphones, mice, keyboards and speakers. Devices have to be “paired” once before they connect.

Phones & Calling

VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol: phone calls made over your internet connection instead of a traditional phone line. Ooma, Vonage and most business phone systems are VoIP. If your internet goes down, the phone usually does too.
Softphone: A phone app on your computer or cell phone that works as your office or home VoIP line.
Call forwarding: Sends calls from one number to another phone automatically, for example your office line to your cell after hours.
eSIM: A digital SIM card built into newer phones. You activate a carrier plan by scanning a code instead of inserting a physical card.
WiFi calling: A phone setting that lets your cell phone make calls over WiFi when cell signal is weak at home.

Security & Scams

Phishing: Fake emails or websites made to look like a real company (a bank, Amazon, Microsoft) to trick you into entering a password or paying. Check the sender's real address and don't click links in unexpected messages.Business owners: see the 10-point scam email checklist.
Smishing: Phishing by text message, such as fake package delivery or toll notices with a link.
Vishing: Phishing by phone call, often someone claiming to be your bank, the IRS or tech support.
Tech support scam: A pop-up, call or search ad claiming your computer is infected and telling you to call a number or let someone connect. Real companies like Microsoft don't call you or put phone numbers in pop-ups.If you let someone connect, disconnect from the internet and call a technician you trust.
Malware: Any harmful software: viruses, spyware, adware and more. It often comes from fake downloads, cracked software or email attachments.
Ransomware: Malware that locks or encrypts your files and demands payment. A recent offline or cloud backup is the best protection.
Antivirus: Software that blocks and removes malware. Microsoft Defender, built into Windows 10 and 11, is enough for most home users when it's kept up to date.
Two-factor authentication (2FA / MFA): A second check after your password, such as a code sent to your phone or an authenticator app. It stops most account takeovers even if your password is stolen.
Password manager: An app that creates and remembers a strong, different password for every site, so you only remember one.
Data breach: When a company's customer data, often emails and passwords, is stolen. If you're in one, change that password and any others that were the same.

Computer Basics

CPU (processor): The computer's main chip that runs programs. Faster processors help with heavy work like video editing.
RAM (memory): Short-term working memory. More RAM lets you keep more programs and browser tabs open without slowing down. 8 GB is a minimum for Windows 11; 16 GB is comfortable.
SSD: Solid-state drive: fast storage with no moving parts. Upgrading an older computer from a hard drive to an SSD is often the biggest speed boost you can get.
HDD (hard drive): Older spinning-disk storage. Cheaper per gigabyte than an SSD but much slower, and more likely to fail with age.
Storage vs memory: Storage (SSD or hard drive) keeps your files when the computer is off. Memory (RAM) is only used while programs are running. People often mix these up.
Operating system (OS): The main software that runs the computer, such as Windows 11, macOS or ChromeOS.
Driver: Small software that lets Windows talk to a device like a printer, graphics card or WiFi adapter. A bad or outdated driver is a common cause of device problems.
Windows Update: Microsoft's built-in updates for security fixes and features. Keep it on; most updates install on restart.
BSOD (blue screen): The Blue Screen of Death: Windows stopped because of a serious error, often a driver, a failing drive or bad memory. One blue screen can be a fluke; repeat ones need attention.
BIOS / UEFI: The built-in startup software that runs before Windows loads. You rarely need to touch it.
Backup: An extra copy of your files kept somewhere else, such as an external drive or cloud service. The 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, on 2 kinds of storage, with 1 kept off-site.
Cloud storage: Files saved on a company's servers and reached over the internet, such as OneDrive, Google Drive or iCloud. Syncing isn't always the same as a backup: delete a file and it may disappear everywhere.
Remote support: A technician connects to your computer over the internet, with your permission, to fix it while you watch. You can end the session at any time.
Browser extension: A small add-on for Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Unknown extensions are a common cause of pop-ups, changed search engines and slow browsing.

Need hands-on help?

If a word on this page is the reason your computer, WiFi or printer isn't working, we can usually fix it remotely the same day. Try the printer troubleshooter or call (951) 595-7716 for a free diagnostic.