Tech Glossary
Plain-language explanations of terms you'll see across our site.
112 terms across 5 categories
Networking & Internet(22)
Hardware & Repair(38)
Smart Home & Security(16)
Software & Digital Safety(18)
Web Design & SEO(18)
Networking & Internet
WiFi, routers, cabling and everything that keeps you online.
5G
The current generation of mobile network technology, offering faster speeds than 4G.
ADSL
An older internet connection type delivered over standard telephone lines, slower than fibre.
Bandwidth
How much data a network connection can carry at once, affects speed with multiple devices.
DNS
The system that translates website names into the numeric addresses computers actually use.
Dual-Band / Tri-Band WiFi
A router broadcasting on two or three WiFi frequencies at once for better performance.
Ethernet
A wired network cable connection, generally faster and more stable than WiFi.
Fibre Internet
An internet connection delivered over glass fibre cables, faster and more stable than copper lines.
IP Address
The address a device uses to be found on a network or the internet.
Latency / Ping
The delay between sending a request over a network and getting a response, critical for gaming.
Mesh vs Extender
A mesh system creates one seamless network, an extender rebroadcasts it as a second network.
Modem
The device that connects your home to your internet provider’s network.
NAS
Network-attached storage, a device that stores files and makes them available to every device on your network.
Port Forwarding
A router setting that lets outside devices reach a specific device on your home network.
Powerline Adapter
A device that sends network signal through a home’s existing electrical wiring.
QoS (Quality of Service)
A router setting that prioritises certain devices or traffic for smoother performance.
Router vs Access Point
A router manages your internet connection, an access point extends WiFi coverage from it.
Starlink
A satellite internet service, useful for rural properties with no fibre or ADSL line available.
Static IP
A fixed network address that never changes, useful for cameras and remote access.
VLAN
A virtual network that separates devices logically even when they share the same physical network.
VPN
A tool that makes your internet connection appear to come from another location or country.
WiFi 6
The newest WiFi standard, faster and better at handling many connected devices at once.
WiFi Mesh
A system of several small units that share WiFi coverage across a property, instead of one router.
Hardware & Repair
Terms about PCs, laptops and the components inside them.
4K / 8K Resolution
Screen resolutions offering far more detail than standard HD.
AIO Liquid Cooling
A closed-loop liquid cooling kit that cools a processor more effectively than a fan alone.
BIOS
The basic software that starts a computer before the operating system loads.
Bluetooth
A short-range wireless connection used for things like headphones, keyboards and speakers.
BSOD
Blue Screen of Death, a Windows crash screen that usually points to a hardware or driver fault.
Cache
Small, very fast memory that stores frequently used data close to the processor.
CPU
The processor, the main chip that carries out a computer’s calculations and instructions.
DisplayPort
A video connector common on PCs and monitors, similar in purpose to HDMI.
Driver
Software that lets your operating system communicate with a specific piece of hardware.
End of Life (EOL)
The point when a manufacturer stops supporting or updating a device.
Factory Reset
Wiping a device back to its original, out-of-the-box settings.
Firmware
Built-in software that controls a piece of hardware, like a router, separate from apps you install.
Firmware Update
An update to a device’s built-in software, often fixing bugs or security issues.
Formatting
Erasing a drive and preparing it to store data again, usually as part of a fresh install.
Frame Rate (FPS)
How many images per second a game or video renders, higher looks smoother.
G-Sync / FreeSync
Monitor technology that syncs screen refresh with a graphics card to stop screen tearing.
GPU
The graphics processing unit, handles images and video on screen, key for gaming and video editing.
HDD
A traditional hard disk drive, storage with spinning discs, slower and cheaper than an SSD.
HDMI
The standard cable and port used to send video and audio between devices and a screen.
Heatsink
A metal component that draws heat away from a processor or graphics card.
Motherboard
The main circuit board that connects every other component inside a computer.
NVMe
A very fast type of SSD that connects directly to a computer’s main data pathway.
Overclocking
Running a component faster than its factory setting to gain extra performance.
Partition
A separate section on a drive that acts like its own independent storage space.
PCIe
The internal slot type used to connect graphics cards and other high-speed components.
PSU
Power supply unit, converts wall power into the specific power a computer’s parts need.
RAID
A way of combining multiple drives for extra speed, extra storage, or backup protection.
RAM
Short-term memory a computer uses while running programs, more RAM helps with multitasking.
Refresh Rate
How many times per second a screen redraws its image, higher feels smoother.
RGB Lighting
Customisable, colour-changing lighting fitted inside a PC case, purely cosmetic.
SATA
An older connector type used for hard drives and some SSDs, slower than NVMe.
SSD
A solid-state drive, storage with no moving parts, far faster than a traditional hard drive.
Surge Protector
A device that protects electronics from sudden voltage spikes.
Thermal Paste
A compound between a processor and its cooler that helps transfer heat away, it dries out over time.
Thermal Throttling
A safety feature that automatically slows a component down when it overheats.
Thunderbolt
A high-speed data and video connection standard, often built into USB-C ports.
UPS (Battery Backup)
A battery unit that keeps a device running briefly during a power cut.
USB-C
A reversible, versatile connector used for charging and data on most modern devices.
Smart Home & Security
Automation, cameras and the devices that watch over your home.
Alarm Zone
A section of a property covered by its own sensor within a larger alarm system.
Chromecast / AirPlay
Technologies that stream video or audio wirelessly from a device to a TV or speaker.
Geofencing
A smart home feature that triggers actions when your phone enters or leaves a set area.
IoT
Internet of Things, everyday devices like bulbs and locks connected to the internet.
Media Server
Software like Plex that organises and streams your own films, shows or music around the house.
Motion Sensor
A sensor that detects movement, used to trigger alarms, lights or camera recording.
NVR / DVR
The recorder that stores footage from a CCTV camera system, network or analogue.
Screen Mirroring
Showing your phone or laptop screen live on a TV or another display.
Smart Home Hub
A central device that lets different smart home brands and devices work together.
Smart Lock
A door lock that can be opened with a phone, code or key, and monitored remotely.
Smart Plug
A plug that adds app or voice control to any device plugged into it.
Smart Thermostat
A thermostat you can schedule and control remotely from an app.
Video Doorbell
A doorbell with a built-in camera that lets you see and speak to visitors remotely.
Voice Assistant
Software like Alexa or Google Assistant that controls smart devices using spoken commands.
Z-Wave
A wireless standard similar to Zigbee, used by some smart home hubs and devices.
Zigbee
A low-power wireless standard used by many smart home sensors, locks and switches.
Software & Digital Safety
Malware, privacy and staying safe online.
Antivirus
Software that scans for, blocks and removes malware from a device.
App Permissions
The specific access, like camera or location, that an app is allowed on your device.
Backup
A separate copy of your files kept somewhere safe, so nothing is lost if a device fails.
Browser Cache
Temporary files a browser stores locally to make websites load faster next time.
Cloud Storage
Storing your files on remote servers instead of a local device, accessible from anywhere.
Cookies
Small files websites store in your browser to remember you or your preferences.
Data Breach
An incident where private data is accessed or leaked without authorisation.
Encryption
Scrambling data so only someone with the right key can read it.
Firewall
Security software or hardware that blocks unauthorised access to a network or device.
Incognito / Private Browsing
A browser mode that doesn’t save your history, cookies or searches locally.
Keylogger
Malicious software that records every keystroke you type, often to steal passwords.
Malware
Harmful software, including viruses, designed to damage a device or steal information.
Phishing
A scam that tricks you into giving up passwords or details through fake messages or websites.
Public WiFi Risk
The added security risk of using open WiFi networks in cafes, airports or hotels.
Ransomware
Malware that locks or encrypts your files and demands payment to release them.
Spyware
Software that secretly monitors your activity and sends the data to someone else.
Two-Factor Authentication
A login step that requires a second proof of identity beyond just a password.
VPN Kill Switch
A VPN feature that cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing exposure.
Web Design & SEO
Websites, hosting and getting found on Google.
Backlink
A link from another website pointing to yours, which can help search ranking.
Call to Action (CTA)
The button or prompt on a page telling a visitor what to do next.
CMS
Content management system, software that lets you edit a website without writing code.
Core Web Vitals
Google’s metrics for measuring a website’s loading speed, responsiveness and stability.
Domain Name
The web address people type to reach your website, like example.com.
E-commerce
Buying and selling goods or services online, through a website or app.
GDPR
EU data protection law governing how businesses collect and use personal information.
Google Business Profile
A free Google listing that shows your business on Maps and local search results.
Landing Page
A standalone page designed for a specific offer or campaign, focused on one action.
Meta Description
The short summary of a page shown under its title in search results.
Page Speed
How quickly a website loads, affecting both user experience and search ranking.
Payment Gateway
The service that securely processes card payments on an online store.
Responsive Design
A website layout that automatically adapts to phone, tablet and desktop screens.
SEO Keywords
The search terms a website is optimised to be found for.
Sitemap
A file listing every page of a website, helping search engines find and index them.
SSL Certificate
A certificate that encrypts traffic between a website and its visitors, shown as the padlock icon.
Web Hosting
The server space that stores a website’s files so it can be reached online.
Website Analytics
Tools that show how visitors find and use your website.