📖 Glossary

The plain-English glossary

172 tech words you keep hearing, from Bluetooth to "hallucination," each explained in a sentence or two. Want to practice? Try Tech Term Match or the AI Lingo Quiz.

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2FA / MFA Security
Two-factor (or multi-factor) authentication. Signing in takes your password plus a second proof, like a code from your phone. It stops most account break-ins.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained 🎮 Password Strength Challenge 🛠️ Turn on two-step verification for Google, Apple and Microsoft 📖 Two-step sign-in for bank and payment accounts
4G / LTE Devices
The previous generation of mobile networks, still widely used and fine for most everyday browsing, maps and video calls.📖 5G vs. 4G vs. Wi-Fi calling: what's the difference?
4K Devices
A TV or video picture with about four times as many dots (pixels) as standard HD, for a sharper image. Streaming in 4K uses more internet bandwidth.
5G Devices
The current generation of mobile (cell) networks, faster than 4G LTE in many places. Your phone switches between them automatically.📖 5G vs. 4G vs. Wi-Fi calling: what's the difference?

A

Account Internet
Your personal sign-in with a service, usually an email or username plus a password, holding your settings and data.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained
Ad blocker Internet
A browser extension or setting that hides most ads. It can make pages faster and avoid some scammy ads.
AI (artificial intelligence) AI
Computer systems that do tasks we usually think of as needing human thinking, like understanding language or recognizing images.📖 What is AI, and how do I actually use it? 🎮 AI or Not?
AI agent AI
An AI that doesn't just answer questions but takes steps to complete a task for you, using tools like a web browser, forms or email, ideally asking your permission before important actions.📖 What are LLMs and AI agents? 🎮 Agent or Chatbot? AI Lingo Quiz
AI companion AI
A chatbot app designed for personal conversation or friendship rather than tasks. Popular with some teens; worth talking about as a family.📖 AI, kids and homework: a plain-English guide for parents 📖 Is AI safe? What happens to what you type
AI image generator AI
An AI tool that creates pictures from a written description. Great for fun cards; also why you can't always trust a photo online.📖 AI models compared: ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and friends 📖 How to spot AI-made photos and videos
AI model AI
The “brain” behind an AI app, such as the GPT models behind ChatGPT. The app is what you use; the model is what writes the answers.📖 AI models compared: ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and friends
AI Overview AI
The short AI-written summary that appears at the top of some Google search results, with links to the pages it used. Handy, but it can be wrong, so check the sources for anything important.📖 Google’s AI answers (AI Overviews), explained 📖 Why AI makes things up (and how to catch it)
AirDrop Devices
Apple's way to send photos and files directly between nearby iPhones, iPads and Macs. Set it to “Contacts Only” so strangers can't send you things.
Airplane mode Phones & Apps
A switch that turns off your phone's wireless connections. You can turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth back on while staying in airplane mode.
Algorithm Internet
A set of rules a computer follows. On social media and streaming apps, it decides what to show you next based on what you watch and tap.📖 What does “the algorithm” mean on social media?
Android Phones & Apps
The operating system made by Google that runs most non-Apple phones, from Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola and others.🛠️ Set up the ChatGPT app on Android 📖 How to pick a phone: a plain-English buying guide
Antivirus Security
Software that watches for and removes malware. Windows and Macs have built-in protection; keeping it on and updated covers most home users.
App Phones & Apps
Short for application: a program on your phone, computer or the web that does a particular job.
App permissions Phones & Apps
What an app is allowed to use, like your location, camera, microphone, photos or contacts. Review them in Settings and say no to anything that doesn't make sense.🎮 Safe or Risky?
App store Phones & Apps
The official place to download apps: the App Store on Apple devices and Google Play on Android. Check the publisher's name before installing.🛠️ Set up the ChatGPT app on iPhone or iPad
Apple Account Phones & Apps
Your Apple sign-in (formerly called Apple ID), used for the App Store, iCloud, Find My and more.
Attachment Internet
A file sent along with an email or message. Don't open attachments you weren't expecting, even if they seem to come from someone you know.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 🎮 Scam or Legit?
Authenticator app Security
A phone app (like Microsoft or Google Authenticator) that shows sign-in codes or asks you to approve a sign-in. A safer form of 2FA than text messages.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained 🛠️ Turn on two-step verification for Google, Apple and Microsoft

B

Backup Phones & Apps
A separate copy of your files you can restore from if the originals are lost, damaged or locked up.📖 Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Backup codes Security
A short list of one-time codes you can use to sign in if you lose your phone. Each works once. Keep them somewhere safe and private, like printed with important papers or in a password manager.📖 Two-step sign-in for bank and payment accounts 🛠️ Turn on two-step verification for Google, Apple and Microsoft
Bandwidth Internet
How much data your connection can carry at once, like the number of lanes on a highway. More lanes, more traffic at the same time.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
Battery health Devices
How much charge your battery can still hold compared with when it was new. All rechargeable batteries wear out slowly; iPhones and many Androids show this in the battery settings.
Biometrics Security
Using a body feature, like your face or fingerprint, to unlock a device or approve a sign-in.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained
Bluetooth Devices
A short-range wireless connection (roughly across a room) for linking gadgets directly, like earbuds, speakers, a car stereo or a smartwatch to your phone. It doesn't use your Wi-Fi or data.
Bookmark (favorite) Internet
A saved shortcut to a website. Bookmarking your bank's real site is safer than searching for it each time.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it?
Broadband Internet
Any always-on, high-speed home internet connection, whether it comes over cable, fiber, phone lines, satellite or 5G.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
Browser Internet
The app you use to visit websites, like Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox.
Browser extension Internet
A small add-on that gives your browser extra features, like an ad blocker. Only install well-known ones from the official store, since extensions can see what you browse.

C

Cache Internet
Saved copies of things your device or browser has already loaded, so they open faster next time. Clearing it can fix some odd website problems.
CAPTCHA Internet
A little test (“click all the traffic lights”) that websites use to check you're a person and not a bot.
Chatbot AI
A program you talk to by typing or speaking. Modern AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot, are powered by large language models.📖 What is AI, and how do I actually use it? 🎮 Agent or Chatbot? AI Lingo Quiz 📖 Is AI safe? What happens to what you type 📖 Getting started with AI: your first conversation
Chromebook Devices
A laptop that runs Google’s ChromeOS. Simple, starts fast and updates itself; works mostly through the Chrome browser and web apps.📖 How to pick a computer: a plain-English buying guide 📖 Windows vs. Mac (and Chromebook), explained
Cloud Internet
Computers in someone else's data center that you use over the internet, for email, files, apps and more.📖 What does “the cloud” really mean?
Cloud storage Internet
Keeping files on a company's internet servers (like iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox) so you can reach them from any device.📖 What does “the cloud” really mean?
Content Credentials AI
A label attached to some photos and videos (look for a small “cr” icon) that records how they were made or edited, including whether AI was used. A missing label doesn’t prove a picture is real.📖 How to spot AI-made photos and videos 🎮 AI or Not?
Context window AI
How much text an AI can “hold in mind” at once in a conversation. In very long chats it may lose track of early details.📖 What are LLMs and AI agents?
CPU (processor) Devices
The main chip that does a device's thinking and calculating. A faster processor makes everything feel snappier.📖 How to pick a computer: a plain-English buying guide
Creative Commons (CC) Internet
Free licenses that let creators say in advance how others may use their work, usually with credit. Letters like BY, NC, ND and SA spell out the rules.📖 Using photos you find online: what’s OK, and how to check one
Credit freeze Security
A free lock you can place with each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) so no one can open new credit in your name. You can lift it when you need to.📖 What is a data breach, and what should I do? 📖 Credit freeze vs. fraud alert: the free way to block identity thieves

D

Data breach Security
When information a company holds, like emails, passwords or card numbers, is stolen or exposed.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained 📖 What is a data breach, and what should I do?
Deepfake AI
A fake video, photo or voice recording made with AI to look or sound like a real person. Be wary of shocking clips or urgent calls asking for money.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 🎮 AI or Not? 📖 How to spot AI-made photos and videos 📖 AI voice-clone scams: when a loved one’s voice isn’t really them
DNS Internet
The internet's phone book. It turns names like example.com into the number addresses computers use to find each other.
Do Not Disturb / Focus Phones & Apps
A setting that silences calls and notifications for a while, with exceptions you choose (like favorite contacts).
Domain name Internet
A website's name, like itsinenglish.com. You rent it yearly from a registrar.
Download / upload Internet
Downloading copies something from the internet to your device; uploading sends something from your device to the internet.

E

Email Internet
Messages sent over the internet to an address like name@example.com. Easy to fake, so check the sender's real address before trusting a request.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it?
Encryption Security
Scrambling information so only someone with the right key can read it. The padlock in your browser means the connection is encrypted.
End-to-end encryption Security
Messages are scrambled on your device and only unscrambled on the recipient's, so even the app company can't read them. WhatsApp and iMessage use it.
Ethernet Devices
A wired network connection using a plug that looks like a wide phone jack. Usually faster and steadier than Wi-Fi, which makes it great for TVs, consoles and desk computers.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
External hard drive Devices
A separate storage box that plugs into your computer, often used for backups. Unplug it when you're done so it stays safe from ransomware.📖 Backups: the 3-2-1 rule

F

Factory reset Phones & Apps
Erasing a device back to how it came out of the box. Back up first, and do it before selling or giving a device away.📖 Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Fast charging Devices
Charging that pushes more power (measured in watts) to fill a battery quicker. Your device, charger and cable all need to support it.
Fiber internet Internet
Home internet carried as light through glass cables. Usually the fastest and most reliable type where it's available.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
Find My / Find My Device Security
Built-in features from Apple and Google that show where a lost phone, tablet or laptop is and let you lock or erase it remotely. Turn it on before you need it.🛠️ Turn on Find My (iPhone) or Find Hub (Android)
Firewall Security
A gatekeeper, in software or a device, that decides what network traffic is allowed in or out.
Firmware Devices
The built-in software that runs a gadget like a router, printer or camera. It gets updates too, and they're often security fixes.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
Fraud alert Security
A free note on your credit report asking lenders to verify it’s really you before opening credit. Lasts one year (seven for identity theft victims). Placing it at one bureau notifies the others.📖 Credit freeze vs. fraud alert: the free way to block identity thieves

G

GB, MB and TB Devices
Units for amounts of data. Roughly 1,000 megabytes (MB) make a gigabyte (GB), and 1,000 GB make a terabyte (TB). A typical phone photo is a few MB.
Generative AI AI
AI that creates new content, like text, images, music, voice or video, from a description you give it.📖 What is AI, and how do I actually use it? 📖 Getting started with AI: your first conversation
Gift card scam Security
Any request to pay with gift cards (“the boss needs these,” “pay the IRS”). Real businesses and government agencies don't ask for payment in gift cards.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 🎮 Scam or Legit?
Google account Phones & Apps
Your Google sign-in, used for Gmail, Google Play, Google Photos, YouTube and more. Protect it with 2-step verification.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained
Google Photos Phones & Apps
Google's app for storing, backing up and finding your photos and videos online. Works on Android and iPhone.📖 Backups: the 3-2-1 rule 🛠️ Back up your phone photos (iCloud Photos or Google Photos) 📖 Sharing family photos: shared albums made simple 📖 “Storage full”? Your photo options, explained

H

Hacker Security
Someone who breaks into computers or accounts. Most attacks on regular people are automated or rely on tricking you, not movie-style hacking.
Hallucination (AI) AI
When an AI tool confidently states something that's false or made up, like a fake fact, quote or link.📖 What are LLMs and AI agents? 🎮 AI or Not? 📖 Why AI makes things up (and how to catch it)
HDMI Devices
The standard cable and plug for sending picture and sound from a device (laptop, streaming stick, game console) to a TV or monitor.
Home screen Phones & Apps
The main screen of app icons on your phone or tablet.
Hotspot Devices
Using your phone's mobile data to create a small Wi-Fi network your laptop or tablet can join. Handy on the go; it uses your phone plan's data.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
HTTPS and the padlock Internet
The “s” means your connection to the site is encrypted, so others on the network can't read it. It does not prove the site is honest; scam sites use HTTPS too.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it?

I

iCloud Phones & Apps
Apple's online service for storing and syncing photos, backups, contacts and files across your Apple devices.📖 What does “the cloud” really mean? 🛠️ Back up your phone photos (iCloud Photos or Google Photos) 📖 “Storage full”? Your photo options, explained
Identity theft Security
When someone uses your personal details, like your name and Social Security number, to open accounts or borrow money as you.📖 What is a data breach, and what should I do? 📖 Credit freeze vs. fraud alert: the free way to block identity thieves
iMessage and RCS Phones & Apps
Upgraded texting with typing indicators, better photos and read receipts. iMessage is Apple-to-Apple (blue bubbles); RCS is the modern standard on Android and now works with iPhones too.
In-app purchase Phones & Apps
Buying something inside an app, like extra lives in a game or a subscription. Parents can require approval for these.
Internet Internet
The worldwide network connecting billions of computers. Your internet provider connects your home to it; Wi-Fi just connects your devices to your router.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
iOS / iPadOS Phones & Apps
The operating system that runs iPhones (iOS) and iPads (iPadOS), made by Apple.📖 How to pick a phone: a plain-English buying guide
IoT (Internet of Things) Smart Home
Everyday objects with internet connections: cameras, doorbells, TVs, appliances. Change default passwords and keep them updated.🎮 Safe or Risky? 📖 Smart home basics: plugs, speakers and hubs 🛠️ Set up a guest Wi-Fi network
IP address Internet
A number that identifies a device or network on the internet, a bit like a street address for data.
ISP Internet
Internet service provider: the company you pay for internet, like Cox, Spectrum or AT&T.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?

L

Lag (latency) Internet
A delay between doing something and seeing it happen online, like a frozen video call. Often caused by weak Wi-Fi or a busy connection.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
Large language model (LLM) AI
The technology behind AI chat tools. It learned patterns from huge amounts of text and writes by predicting likely next words.📖 What are LLMs and AI agents? 🎮 Agent or Chatbot? AI Lingo Quiz
Location services Phones & Apps
Lets apps know where your phone is, for maps, weather and finding a lost phone. You can choose which apps get it and when.

M

Machine learning AI
The way most AI is built: instead of following hand-written rules, the computer learns patterns from lots of examples.📖 What are LLMs and AI agents?
Malware Security
Any software designed to cause harm: viruses, spyware, ransomware and so on.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it?
Matter Smart Home
A shared standard that lets smart-home gadgets from different brands work together with Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung systems. Look for the Matter logo.📖 Smart home basics: plugs, speakers and hubs 📖 Matter and Thread: why smart home gadgets finally work together
Mbps Internet
Megabits per second: how internet speed is usually measured. Higher is faster. One HD video stream typically needs a handful of Mbps.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
Mesh Wi-Fi Devices
A Wi-Fi system with two or more units placed around a home or office that work together as one network for better coverage.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference? 📖 Router vs. modem vs. mesh: what does each one do?
Multimodal AI AI
AI that can work with more than one kind of input or output, like reading a photo you share and answering out loud.📖 AI models compared: ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and friends

N

NFC Devices
Near-field communication: a very short-range wireless link (a few centimeters) that makes tap-to-pay and tap-to-pair work.📖 Tap to pay and digital wallets: are they safe?
Notification Phones & Apps
An alert from an app that pops up on your screen or lock screen. You can turn them off app by app in Settings.

O

Operating system (OS) Phones & Apps
The main software that runs a device: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and so on.📖 Windows vs. Mac (and Chromebook), explained 📖 How to pick a computer: a plain-English buying guide

P

Pairing Devices
Introducing two Bluetooth gadgets to each other the first time, so they remember and reconnect automatically after that.
Parental controls Phones & Apps
Settings that let parents filter content, approve purchases and set time limits on a child's device, like Apple's Screen Time or Google Family Link.🛠️ Set up parental controls (Screen Time and Google Family Link)
Passcode / screen lock Security
The PIN, pattern or password that unlocks your phone. Combined with Face ID or a fingerprint, it protects everything on the device if it's lost.
Passkey Security
A password replacement. You sign in with your face, fingerprint or device PIN, and it only works on the real website, so it resists phishing.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained
Password manager Security
An app that creates, stores and fills in strong, unique passwords for you, so you only remember one.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained 🎮 Password Strength Challenge 🛠️ Set up a password manager
Password reuse Security
Using the same password on more than one site. If one site leaks it, criminals try it everywhere else. A password manager fixes this.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained 🎮 Password Strength Challenge 🛠️ Set up a password manager 📖 What is a data breach, and what should I do?
Patch Security
A fix from the maker of your software or device. Many updates close security holes, so install them promptly.🎮 Safe or Risky? 📖 What software updates actually do
Payment app Security
An app for sending money to people, like Zelle (inside bank apps), Venmo, Cash App or PayPal. Payments are fast and usually can’t be reversed, so only pay people you know.📖 Payment app scams: Zelle, Venmo, Cash App and PayPal 📖 Two-step sign-in for bank and payment accounts
Phishing Security
A fake message, usually email, pretending to be someone you trust to get you to click, pay or share a password.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 🎮 Scam or Legit?
Phone backup Phones & Apps
An automatic copy of your phone's data, often to iCloud or your Google account, so you can restore it onto a new or replaced phone.📖 Backups: the 3-2-1 rule 🛠️ Back up your phone photos (iCloud Photos or Google Photos)
PIN Security
A short number code, like for your phone, bank card or voicemail. Never share it, even with someone claiming to be from your bank.
Pop-up Internet
A window or box that suddenly appears over a page. A pop-up saying your computer is infected and to call a number is a scam.🎮 Scam or Legit?
Private / Incognito browsing Internet
A browser mode that doesn't save your history or cookies on that device once you close it. It doesn't hide what you do from websites, your internet provider or your employer.📖 Cookies and online tracking, explained
Prompt AI
Whatever you type or say to an AI tool. A clear prompt says what you want, who it's for, and how you'd like the answer to look.📖 What are LLMs and AI agents? 🛠️ Ask ChatGPT your first questions 🎮 Prompt Builder 📖 Understanding prompts: how to ask AI for what you want
Public domain Internet
Creative work that no one owns the copyright to anymore (or never did), so anyone can use it freely.📖 Using photos you find online: what’s OK, and how to check one
Public Wi-Fi Security
Free Wi-Fi in cafés, airports and hotels. Fine for browsing HTTPS sites; be careful with fake networks using similar names.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference? 🎮 Safe or Risky? 📖 What is a VPN, and do I need one?

Q

QR code Internet
A square barcode your phone camera can read to open a link. Scammers stick fake QR codes on parking meters and posters, so check the address it opens.🎮 Safe or Risky?
Quick Share Devices
The Android (and Windows) way to send photos and files to nearby devices, similar to AirDrop. Formerly called Nearby Share on Android.

R

RAM (memory) Devices
A device's short-term working space for whatever is open right now. More RAM helps with lots of apps or tabs at once. Not the same as storage.📖 How to pick a computer: a plain-English buying guide
Ransomware Security
Malware that locks or scrambles your files and demands payment to unlock them. Good backups are the best defense.📖 Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Refurbished Devices
A used device that has been checked, repaired if needed, and resold, often with a warranty. Buy from the maker or a reputable seller.📖 How to pick a phone: a plain-English buying guide 📖 How to pick a computer: a plain-English buying guide
Router Devices
The device that shares your internet connection with all your devices and usually creates your Wi-Fi network.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference? 📖 Router vs. modem vs. mesh: what does each one do? 🛠️ Restart your router and modem the right way

S

Screen Time Phones & Apps
Apple's built-in tool for seeing how long you use your devices and setting limits. Android's version is called Digital Wellbeing.🛠️ Set up parental controls (Screen Time and Google Family Link)
Screenshot Phones & Apps
A picture of whatever is on your screen. Handy for saving a confirmation, or showing a helper what you see.
Search engine Internet
A website that finds pages for you when you type words, like Google, Bing or DuckDuckGo. The first results are often paid ads, so look before you click.📖 Google’s AI answers (AI Overviews), explained
Security key Security
A small physical key (USB or tap) that you use as a very strong second sign-in step. Popular brands include YubiKey.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained
Server Internet
A computer, usually in a data center, that stores websites, email or files and “serves” them to other devices over the internet.📖 What does “the cloud” really mean?
Settings Phones & Apps
The app (usually a gear icon) where you control your device: Wi-Fi, privacy, updates, notifications and more.
SIM swap Security
A scam where a criminal convinces your mobile carrier to move your number to their phone, so they get your text codes. Ask your carrier about a port-out PIN or lock.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained 📖 Two-step sign-in for bank and payment accounts
Smart display Smart Home
A smart speaker with a screen, for recipes, video calls, photos and controlling other smart devices.
Smart home Smart Home
Everyday devices, like lights, plugs, locks and thermostats, that connect to the internet so you can control them from your phone or by voice.📖 Smart home basics: plugs, speakers and hubs
Smart lock Smart Home
A door lock you can open with your phone, a code or your voice. Keep the app account secure and know how the backup key works.
Smart plug Smart Home
An adapter that goes between an outlet and a lamp or appliance so you can switch it on and off from your phone or on a schedule.📖 Smart home basics: plugs, speakers and hubs
Smart speaker Smart Home
A speaker with a voice assistant built in, like Amazon Echo (Alexa), Google Nest (Google Assistant / Gemini) or Apple HomePod (Siri). It listens for its wake word.📖 Smart home basics: plugs, speakers and hubs 📖 Smart speakers and privacy: is Alexa always listening?
Smart thermostat Smart Home
A thermostat you can control from your phone, often learning your schedule to save energy.
Smart TV Smart Home
A TV with built-in internet apps like Netflix and YouTube. Smart TVs can collect viewing data, which you can often limit in privacy settings.
Smishing Security
Phishing by text message, like a fake “your package is delayed” text with a link.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 🎮 Scam or Legit? 🛠️ Block and report scam texts and calls
SMS / text message Phones & Apps
A basic text message sent through your mobile carrier. Scam texts (smishing) often arrive this way.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it?
Social media Internet
Apps and sites for sharing posts, photos and messages with others, like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.📖 What does “the algorithm” mean on social media?
Software update Security
A new version of an app or operating system. Many updates fix security holes, so turn on automatic updates.🎮 Safe or Risky? 📖 What software updates actually do 🛠️ Update your phone, tablet or computer
Spam Security
Unwanted bulk messages. Annoying, and sometimes a cover for phishing.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 🛠️ Block and report scam texts and calls
Spoofing Security
Faking where a message or call comes from, like a fake caller ID showing your bank's number or an email that appears to come from a friend.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 📖 How scammers fake caller ID and text senders
Spyware Security
Malware that secretly watches what you do, like reading messages or recording passwords. Keep devices updated and locked.
SSD Devices
Solid-state drive: fast storage with no moving parts, found in most new laptops. Much quicker than older spinning hard drives.📖 How to pick a computer: a plain-English buying guide
Storage Devices
Where your device keeps files, photos and apps, even when it's turned off. When people say a phone has “128 GB,” they mean storage.🛠️ Free up storage on your phone 📖 “Storage full”? Your photo options, explained
Streaming Internet
Watching or listening while the video or music plays over the internet, instead of saving it first. Netflix, YouTube and Spotify all stream.
Streaming stick / box Smart Home
A small device (like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV or Chromecast) that plugs into a TV's HDMI port to add streaming apps.
Subscription Phones & Apps
Paying regularly (monthly or yearly) for an app or service. Cancel through the same place you signed up, such as your app store account.📖 AI models compared: ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and friends
Sync Internet
Keeping the same files matched across devices. Handy, but not a backup, because deletions sync too.📖 What does “the cloud” really mean?

T

Tap to pay (contactless) Devices
Paying by holding your card, phone or watch near the card reader. Phone wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet don't share your real card number with the store.📖 Tap to pay and digital wallets: are they safe?
Tech support scam Security
A fake warning, pop-up or call claiming your computer has a problem, then asking for remote access or payment. Microsoft and Apple won't cold-call you.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 🎮 Scam or Legit?
Thinking (reasoning) mode AI
A slower AI setting that works through a problem step by step before answering. Useful for tricky questions; overkill for quick ones.📖 AI models compared: ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and friends
Thread Smart Home
A low-power wireless network for smart home gadgets like sensors and locks. Devices pass signals to each other, and connect to your home through a “border router” built into many smart speakers and streaming boxes.📖 Matter and Thread: why smart home gadgets finally work together
Token AI
A small chunk of text (often a short word or part of a word) that an AI model reads and writes. Limits on how much an AI can handle are often counted in tokens.📖 What are LLMs and AI agents?
Training data AI
The huge collection of text, images or other material an AI model learned its patterns from before it was released.📖 What are LLMs and AI agents?

U

Unlocked phone Phones & Apps
A phone that isn’t tied to one mobile carrier, so you can switch carriers or use another SIM (for example, abroad).📖 How to pick a phone: a plain-English buying guide
URL Internet
A web address, like https://itsinenglish.com/glossary.html.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it?
USB flash drive Devices
A small stick that plugs into a computer's USB port and stores files. Handy for moving files, but easy to lose, so don't make it your only backup.📖 Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
USB-C Devices
The small, oval, reversible plug used by most new phones, tablets and laptops for charging and data. The plug looks the same everywhere, but cables can differ in charging speed and data speed.

V

Video doorbell Smart Home
A doorbell with a camera that alerts your phone when someone rings or walks up, and lets you talk to them.📖 Video doorbells and home cameras: what to know first
Virus Security
A type of malware that spreads by attaching itself to files or programs. People often say “virus” for any malware.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it?
Vishing Security
Phishing by phone call or voicemail, like a caller pretending to be your bank, the IRS or tech support.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 🎮 Scam or Legit? 📖 How scammers fake caller ID and text senders 🛠️ Block and report scam texts and calls
Voice assistant AI
An assistant you control by talking, like Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant or Gemini. Newer ones use the same AI as chatbots.🛠️ Talk to ChatGPT with voice chat
Voice cloning AI
Using AI to copy someone's voice from a short sample. Scammers use it in fake “family emergency” calls, so agree on a family code word.📖 What is phishing, and how do I spot it? 📖 AI voice-clone scams: when a loved one’s voice isn’t really them
VPN Internet
Virtual private network: an encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic. Often used to connect safely to a work network or on public Wi-Fi.🎮 Safe or Risky? 📖 What is a VPN, and do I need one?

W

Webcam Devices
A camera built into or attached to a computer for video calls. Many have a light that shows when they're on; a sliding cover adds peace of mind.
Website Internet
A collection of pages at one web address, like itsinenglish.com, that you open in a browser.
Wi-Fi Devices
The wireless connection between your devices and your router. It's not the internet itself.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference?
Wi-Fi camera Smart Home
A home security camera that sends video over your Wi-Fi to an app. Use a strong password and 2FA on the account; these are prime targets.📖 Passwords, passkeys and 2FA, explained 📖 Video doorbells and home cameras: what to know first
Wi-Fi password Internet
The key that lets devices join your Wi-Fi. Use a long one and don't confuse it with your router's admin password, which should be different.📖 Wi-Fi vs. internet: what's the difference? 🛠️ Find your Wi-Fi password
Widget Phones & Apps
A small live panel on your home screen showing info at a glance, like the weather or your calendar, without opening the app.
Wireless charging Devices
Charging by setting your phone on a pad instead of plugging in. Most phones use a standard called Qi (pronounced “chee”).

Z

Zero-day Security
A security hole that attackers find before the software maker has a fix. Another reason to install updates as soon as they arrive.📖 What software updates actually do