Computer Terminology

Computer system terminology is almost everywhere . There is so much of it , with more being created all the time that it can be impossible to keep up . I see it all of the times, ]working with beginner computer users that struggle with learning how to use a computer , partly because it's unfamiliar but also partly because of this new language they now have to learn . I call it "geek speak" but in reality it's just a bunch of terms that refer to different parts and functions on a computer . Below I'll break down 10 of the most commonly used and heard computers terms so that next time you hear them , you'll be on the road to understanding what they mean and how to use them yourself .
Operating System : This is the software that runs a computer . Most computers won't do much without an operating system . Common operating systems include Microsoft Windows XP , Microsoft Windows Vista , Microsoft Windows 7 and now Microsoft Windows 8 , MacOSx and Linux . You use the operating system to access the programs and files you have on your computer .
Browser : This is software that allows you to access the Internet . Common browsers include Internet Explorer,Mozilla Firefox , Safari, and Google Chrome . If you're on a computer or smartphone and you're reading this you're probably using a browser . Don't know which one ? Find the "Help" menu in the toolbar at the top and look for "About" . That will tell you what you're using .
Desktop : This is the main screen on most operating systems . It's where you find the Start Menu in Windows . Generally it's just a starting point to access all of the programs and files on your computer .
Upload : This is the opposite of download . When you send somebody else a file of any kind you upload that file . You upload videos onto YouTube and you upload pictures onto Facebook . You upload files when you attach them to an email .
Download : This term gets thrown around a lot . In reality downloading happens any time you bring anything on to your computer . You download programs , pictures and music from the Internet .
URL : This is an acronym that means Uniform Resource Locator . That's not particularly important and I won't test you on it later . All it really means is that it's an address on the Internet , like your house address on a map . http ://www .google .com is an address or URL on the Internet . It's the means we use to
locate or find specific websites on the Internet .
Virus- Viruses are different from spyware . While spyware can slow down your computer and make it difficult to use , viruses can completely shut down your computer and destroy all of your files . They are designed to spread through email and websites and infect as many computers as possible . Just like with spyware , getting a good anti-virus program and keeping it updated and running is a great way to help prevent getting infected with a virus .
Spyware : This is a term that's become quite common lately . Spyware is any program that allows a company or individual to essentially spy on you . They can track which websites you visit , what your search terms are in Google or any search engine , how often you use the computer , among other things . Common forms of spyware are toolbars , like those that typically get installed into browsers . Often they show up accidentally when you download and install or put in a new program on your computer . Finding a good anti-virus program that has spyware protection included is usually a good way to protect yourself .
Firewall : Typically on home computers firewalls are software that are designed to help prevent unauthorized or unwanted access to your computer by unknown people . Microsoft Windows comes with it's own firewall called Microsoft Defender . You can find it in the Control Panel . Big companies often use hardware based firewalls to help protect their networks from attacks . If you have a network at home you may have a router . That router can also act as a firewall to help prevent unwanted access .
Malware : Malware is malicious software or software that's meant to make your computer hard to use , gather personal information off of your computer or gain access to personal or sensitive files . Malware is the broader term that includes things such as viruses and spyware . Most people use anti-virus programs to help prevent malware.