Programming
This is a name given to a storage location in code that holds a value, like x = 10.
What is a Variable?
To keep accounts safe, these should be long, complex, and never shared.
What is a Password?
Often the first thing a tech asks: "Have you tried turning it off and then ____?"
What is On? (Restarting / Power Cycling)?
Every device on a network needs this numerical label to be identified.
What is an IP Address?
Known as the "brain" of the computer, it handles all the main instructions.
What is the CPU?
This programming structure allows a set of instructions to repeat multiple times.
What is a Loop?
This sneaky attack involves an email that looks like it's from a real bank or boss.
What is Phishing?
In the official 6-step process, this is Step 1: finding out exactly what is wrong.
What is Identify the Problem?
This hardware device helps exchange data between your home network and the internet.
What is a Router?
This type of "short-term" memory is cleared every time the computer restarts.
What is RAM?
This data type has only two possible values: True or False.
What is a Boolean?
This software or hardware acts as a "wall" to block unauthorized network traffic.
What is a Firewall?
This is the final step of troubleshooting, where you write down what you did to fix it.
What is Documenting Findings?
This service acts like a phonebook, turning google.com into an IP address.
What is DNS (Domain Name System)?
This type of storage has no moving parts and is much faster than an old hard drive.
What is an SSD (Solid State Drive)?
This is a "translator" program that converts high-level code into machine code that the CPU can actually understand.
What is a Compiler (or Interpreter)?
This security method requires a password plus a code sent to your phone.
What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?
After you think you know the fix, you must do this step to see if your "theory" was actually correct.
What is Test the Theory?
This acronym stands for a network that is confined to a single building or office.
What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?
This is the main "bridge" software (like Windows 11) that manages all other apps.
What is an Operating System?
This type of structure allows you to store a list of multiple items, like [Apple, Banana, Orange], under a single name.
What is an Array (or List)?
A specific type of malware that locks your files and demands money to unlock them.
What is Ransomware?
This is Step 2 of the CompTIA process: brainstorming a "best guess" as to why the device is failing.
What is Establish a Theory of Probable Cause?
This protocol automatically gives an IP address to a device when it joins a network.
What is DHCP?
This specific type of software allows a piece of hardware (like a printer) to talk to the OS.
What is a Driver?