Glossary

Address Bar -- Is where you are shown the URL (or true location) of the web page you are viewing.

Bookmark -- A saved link to a specific Web site, usually created by a computer's user

Browser -- A browser is a software application that allows Internet users to access World Wide Web (www) pages on their own computers. Two of the more popular browser products are the Netscape Navigator and the Microsoft Explorer.

Cookie -- The most common meaning of "cookie" on the internet refers to a piece of information sent by a web server to a web browser software that the web browser software is expected to save and to send back to the server whenever the browser makes additional requests from the server. Depending on the type of cookie used, and the browser’s settings, the browser may accept or not accept the cookie.

Domain name -- This is the unique name that identifies an Internet location. The segments of the domain name are separated by dots.

Download -- A file that can be transferred from an Internet site to your computer

Domestic-Grade/U.S. Grade Encryption – Domestic/U.S. grade encryption, also called 128-bit encryption. This is the highest form of encryption and the Federal government has mandated that it be used only in the United States.

E-mail (Electronic Mail) – Messages, usually text, sent from one person to another via a computer. E-mail can also be sent automatically to a large number of addresses.

Email address -- The information needed to send email to a user through the Internet. Example: user@HunTel.net.

Encryption – The encoding of a file in order to protect its contents. This entails a word or group of words essentially written in a secret code language - a language useless to anyone but you and your bank, to protect that message from unwanted viewing or tampering.

FAQ  -- Frequently Asked Questions. A compilation of often-requested information.

Firewall – A combination of hardware and software that separates a Local Area Network (LAN) in two or more parts for security purposes.

FTP -- A way of transferring files from one location to another by logging into another site.

Hit – As used in reference to the World Wide Web, "hit" means a single request from a web browser for a single item from a web server; thus in order for a web browser to display a page that contains 3 graphics, 4 "hits" would occur at the server: one for the HTML page and one for each of the 3 graphics.

HTML – Hypertext Markup Language is a language used to create documents and hyperlinks on the Internet.

HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol lets computer users exchange information over the Internet.

Host -- Serves as a focal point for WWW, telnet, ftp, and sometimes Gopher information requests from local users. Routes      requests to other hosts.

Host name -- This can be both the information after the @ in an email address and the address you would need to telnet to emote location. Example: HunTel.net.

International-Grade Encryption – Also called 40-bit encryption. This can allow for downloading from anywhere in the world. 40-bit encryption has considerably less capability and power than 128-bit encryption.

IP number --  Numeric representation of a host name. Example: 157.198.4.113.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) -- An institution that provides access to the Internet in some form, usually for money.

LAN (Local Area Network) – A computer network limited to the immediate area, usually the same building or floor of a building.

Login -- Entering user ID and password to gain access to a computer system.

Login information -- Generally user ID and at least one password.

Menu Bar -- The bar in an application that contains lists of options called 'menus' that, when selected, contain a list of commands that perform different functions. It's found underneath the title bar of a window.  Many common occurrences on the menu bar include; file, edit, view, window, help, etc.

Modem (MOdulator DEModulator) – A device that you connect to your computer and to a phone line, that allows the computer to talk to other computers through the phone system.

Password – A number that you use to identify yourself. This number should be very unique in order to ensure privacy. We also suggest that you change this number frequently.

Remote host -- A host you are trying to login to or send mail to.

Search Engines -- Also called "spiders" or "crawlers," search engines constantly visit web sites on the Internet in order to create catalogues of web pages. Because they run automatically and index so many web pages, search engines may often find information not listed in directories.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) – A protocol designed by Netscape Communications to enable encrypted, authenticated communications across the Internet. SSL is used mostly in communications between web browsers and web servers. URL’s that begin with "https" indicate that an SSL connection will be used. A secure site is one which supports SSL.

System administrator -- Usually the person responsible for maintaining the systems used for Internet connectivity. Often one of the most hated people on the planet.

TCP/IP -- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The protocol used for communications on the Internet.

Tool Bar --  provides direct access to a number of functions and features on internet programs like browsers and e-mail clients.  All of these are also available as pull-down menu commands.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – The standard way to give the address of any resource on the Internet that is part of the World Wide Web (WWW). A URL looks like this: http://www.huntel.net. The most common way to use a URL is to enter it into a WWW browser program such as Netscape or Microsoft Explorer.

User name -- Often the first part of your email address before the @. The name with which you login to your email or Internet system.

Web Site -- Refer to a web page, a location of information such as a telnet or ftp

WWW (World Wide Web) – The universe of hypertext servers (HTTP servers) which are the servers that allow text, graphics, sound files, etc. to be mixed together.

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