ICT Acronyms
The “brains” of the computer, where most calculations take place.
What is the CPU?
(Central Processing Unit)
A physical part of the computer system that is capable of holding and retrieving digital data. The place where your files and folders are physically located.
Example: hard disk
What is a storage drive?
The ability to understand, evaluate, and integrate information in multiple formats via the computer and the Internet.
What is digital literacy?
The external devices that are attached to the computer (e.g., monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse, scanner, speakers, and digital camera).
What are peripheral devices?
A global network that connects millions of computers and is decentralised by design. Each connected computer is called a host and is independent in that operators choose which services to make available to the global community (e.g., by publishing a website) and users choose which Internet services (e.g., online shopping, blogs) to use.
What is the Internet?
Memory that temporarily stores data and instructions. Also called primary or main memory.
What is RAM?
(Random Access Memory)
A hierarchical structure created on a device for storing and retrieving computer files. In a graphical environment, these structures are represented as folders.
What is a directory?
A software application used to locate and display web pages on the Internet. Example: Edge
What is a web browser?
The software that manages the operations of a computer and its peripheral devices.
Example: Windows 11
What is the operating system (OS)?
The act of sending an e-mail to a user while falsely claiming to be a legitimate business in an attempt to trick the user into revealing personal information that could be used for crimes such as identity theft.
What is phishing?
An external peripheral interface standard for communication between a computer and external peripherals (e.g., digital camera, mouse, printers) over a cable using biserial transmission.
What is USB?
(Universal Serial Bus)
An element in an electronic document that takes the user to another location in the same document or to a location on the Internet.
What is a hyperlink?
A program that enables users to search the World Wide Web for information contained in websites, by using keywords. Example: Bing
What is a search engine?
The physical arrangement of the components of the computer work environment that results in a comfortable and safe environment for the user.
What is ergonomics?
An abbreviation for “Web log”; a type of website on which the author posts entries in a journal format.
What is a blog?
A global address for a document or other resource on the World Wide Web.
What is a URL?
(Uniform Resource Locator)
A network that is similar in design to the Internet but is accessible only to individuals within the organisation or with authorisation. A firewall is used to protect the data files on this private network from unauthorised access.
What is an intranet?
A form of algebra in which all values are reduced to either True or False. Applied to search criteria specified in a search engine to narrow the number of website matches.
What is Boolean logic?
A computer network that connects computers in a small area, usually a single building. In this environment, users at individual computer workstations can share data and peripheral devices.
What is a LAN?
(Local Area Network)
A text file created by the server computer when a user enters information into a website. The main purpose of this text file is to identify users and customise web pages for them.
What is a cookie?
A company that provides users with access to the Internet, usually for a fee.
What is an ISP?
(Internet Service Provider)
The translation of data into a secret code.
What is encryption?
The act of copying someone else’s work (e.g., a piece of writing, a graphic, a chart) and presenting it as one’s own.
What is plagiarism?
A set of rules and conditions governing the appropriate use of technology whenever a person is using the computer and/or accessing the Internet.
What is a Computer Acceptable Use Agreement?
A system used to prevent access to or from a private network. Often used by companies to prevent individuals outside the company from accessing private networks that are connected to the Internet.
What is a firewall?