Archives Glossary Terms

Fair warning: the word itself is a little salty, but it’s the real, official term… it was even named a word of the year. Enshittification describes how online services get worse over time. A company lures you in with something…

Every cell phone has a little ID card inside that tells your phone company “this is Bob’s phone, on Bob’s plan.” For years that was a real chip, about the size of your pinky nail, tucked into a slot. An…

Ethernet is simply a way to connect your devices to the internet (or to each other) using a physical cable instead of Wi-Fi. You know that cable that plugs into the back of your computer or router… the one that…

EXE is a file extension commonly associated with executable files on Microsoft Windows operating systems. These files contain instructions that the computer’s operating system can execute to perform various tasks, such as launching programs or installing software. EXE files play…

FaceTime is Apple’s video and audio calling service that lets you connect with people in real-time using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can see and hear friends, family, or colleagues no matter where they are, and even make group…

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a network protocol that enables the transfer of files between computers over a network, such as the internet. It allows users to upload, download, and manage files on remote servers using FTP client software or…

Firefox is a free and open-source web browser developed by Mozilla Corporation. It is known for its speed, security, and privacy features, offering users a customizable browsing experience. Firefox supports extensions, themes, and other add-ons, allowing users to personalize their…

A firewall is a security system designed to protect networks and computers from unauthorized access and threats like viruses and malware. It works by filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules, allowing only legitimate data through. A…

Firmware is a type of software that’s built directly into hardware devices like smartphones, routers, and printers. It gives the device the basic instructions it needs to work and communicate with other parts. Unlike regular software, firmware stays in place…

Flamer refers to a type of malicious software, also known as malware, designed to infiltrate computer systems and spread rapidly across networks. It typically targets specific industries or organizations and is capable of causing extensive damage by stealing sensitive information,…