You don't have to be a computer expert to book a trip into Cyberspace, but it certainly helps to know a few words of cyber-speak. Before long, you'll sound like a native and get around like an experienced traveler.
- BOOKMARK
- an online function that lets you access your favorite websites quickly.
- BROWSER
- special software that allows you to navigate several areas of the Internet and view a website.
- BULLETIN BOARD/NEWSGROUP
- places to leave an electronic message or share news that anyone can read and respond to. Marketers or others can get your e-mail address from bulletin boards and newsgroups.
- CHAT ROOM
- a place for people to converse online by typing messages to each other. (Once you're in a chat room, others can contact you by e-mail. Some online services monitor their chat rooms and encourage children to report offensive chatter. Some allow parents to deny access to chat rooms altogether.)
- CHATTING
- a way for a group of people to converse online in real-time by typing messages to each other.
- COOKIE
- when you visit a site, a notation may be fed to a file " known as a "cookie" in your computer for future reference. If you revisit the site, the "cookie" file allows the website to identify you as a "return" guest — and offer you products tailored to your interests or tastes. You can set your online preferences to limit or let you know about "cookies" that a website places on your computer.
- CYBERSPACE
- another name for the Internet.
- DOWNLOAD
- the transfer of files or software from a remote computer to your computer.
- E-MAIL
- computer-to-computer messages between one or more individuals via the Internet.
- FILTER
- computer-to-computer messages between one or more individuals via the Internet.
- INTERNET
- the universal network that allows computers to talk to other computers in words, text, graphics, and sound, anywhere in the world.
- ISP (Internet Service Provider)
- a service that allows you to connect to the Internet. When you sign up (it takes special software and a modem), you'll be asked to enter a screen name, a secret password and your credit card number. Usually, online charges are billed to your credit card. Most providers allow you to review your monthly expenses online instead of sending you a separate itemized bill. If you note unexpected charges from your ISP, call for an explanation. If you're not satisfied with the explanation, or think you may be the victim of fraud, write a letter to your credit card company and your state Attorney General.
- JUNK E-MAIL
- unsolicited commercial e-mail; also known as "spam." Usually junk e-mail doesn't contain the recipient's address on the "To" line. Instead, the addressee is a made-up name, such as "friend@public.com." Or the address on the "To" line is identical to the one on the "From' line.
- KEYWORD
- a word you enter into a search engine to begin the search for specific information or websites.
- LINKS
- highlighted words on a website that allow you to connect to other parts of the same website or to other websites.
- LISTSERV
- an online mailing list that allows individuals or organizations to send e"mail to groups of people at one time.
- MODEM
- an internal or external device that connects your computer to a phone line and, if you wish, to a company that can link you to the Internet.
- ONLINE SERVICE
- an ISP with added information, entertainment and shopping features.
- PASSWORD
- a personal code that you use to access your account with your ISP.
- PRIVACY POLICY
- a statement on a website describing what information about you is collected by the site, and how it is used. Ideally, the policy is posted prominently and offers you options about the use of your personal information. These options are called opt-in and opt-out. An opt-in choice means the website won't use your information unless you specifically say it's okay. An opt-out choice means the website can use the information unless you specifically direct it not to.
- SCREEN NAME
- the name you call yourself when you communicate online. You may want to abbreviate your name or make up a name. Your ISP may allow you to use several screen names.
- SEARCH ENGINE
- a function that lets you search for information and websites. Using a search engine is like accessing the main card file in a library, only easier. A few keywords can lead you almost anywhere on the Internet. You can find search engines or a search function on many websites.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
- the address that lets you locate a particular site. For example, http://www.ftc.gov is the URL for the Federal Trade Commission. All government URLs end in .gov. Non-profit organizations and trade associations end in .org. For example, http://www.naag.org is the URL for the National Association of Attorneys General. Commercial companies now end in .com, although additional suffixes or domains may be used as the number of businesses on the Internet grows. Other countries use different endings.
- VIRUS
- a file maliciously planted in your computer that can damage files and disrupt your system.
- WEBSITE
- An Internet destination where you can look at and retrieve data. All the websites in the world, linked together, make up the World Wide Web or the "Web."
Information courtesy the US Federal Trade Commission
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