We’ve compiled a full list of commonly encountered IT terminology that will help you better understand the industry and how it works. By familiarizing yourself with basic computer terms and definitions, you’ll allow yourself to understand manuals, descriptions, and everyday jargon necessary to fully grasp IT products and services.
You’ll find our tech glossary is conveniently laid out below in alphabetical order with an easy navigation interface so you can quickly reference words related to technology.
In addition to our tech terms, you can also find other resources to help you learn more about the role of technology in modern industry, including blogs, whitepapers, and case studies. Though our list of IT terms to know is expansive, if you have any further questions regarding things to know about technology, please contact us.
A Web Crawler, also known as a spider or bot, is an internet bot that systematically browses the World Wide Web for the purpose of indexing web pages. Search engines like Google use web crawlers to update their web content or indices of others’ web content. Crawlers analyze the content of sites and follow links to discover new pages, helping search engines deliver relevant search results. Web crawling is essential for search engine optimization (SEO), as it affects how websites are indexed and ranked.
Wearable Technology refers to electronic devices that can be worn on the body, either as accessories or as part of material used in clothing. These devices are often equipped with sensors and connectivity features, enabling them to exchange data with other devices or networks. Examples include smartwatches, fitness trackers, and augmented reality glasses. Wearable technology has applications in health monitoring, fitness, navigation, and communication, contributing to the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.
WAN Optimization is a collection of techniques and technologies used to increase the efficiency of data flow across a Wide Area Network (WAN). It aims to improve application performance and user experience by reducing bandwidth consumption, minimizing latency, and overcoming network bottlenecks. Techniques include data compression, deduplication, traffic shaping, and protocol optimization. WAN optimization is vital for businesses relying on WANs for critical applications, ensuring fast and reliable access to data and services across geographically dispersed locations.
In IT, a Workflow refers to the sequence of processes through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion. Workflow management involves automating and optimizing business processes, often using software tools that coordinate tasks, data, and human resources. Workflows enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and ensure compliance by standardizing procedures and enabling real-time monitoring and reporting of process performance within organizations.
Web Services are standardized ways of integrating web-based applications using open standards over an internet protocol backbone. They enable communication and data exchange between different software applications, regardless of the platforms or languages they are built in. Web services use protocols like SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and REST (Representational State Transfer) to facilitate interoperability. They are essential in building distributed systems, enabling functionality like authentication, data sharing, and service discovery across diverse systems.
In cybersecurity, a Worm is a type of malicious software that replicates itself to spread to other computers. Unlike viruses, worms do not require user interaction to propagate. They exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems or applications to infect systems and often consume bandwidth or overload web servers, causing network disruptions. Worms can carry payloads like backdoors or ransomware, leading to data theft or system damage. Protecting against worms involves regular software updates, firewalls, and antivirus solutions.
A Wireless Access Point (WAP) is a networking hardware device that allows Wi-Fi devices to connect to a wired network. It acts as a central transmitter and receiver of wireless radio signals, extending the range and capacity of the network. WAPs are commonly used in offices, schools, and public areas to provide seamless wireless connectivity, supporting multiple devices and enabling roaming within the network coverage area without losing connection.
Web Hosting is a service that allows individuals or organizations to make their websites accessible on the World Wide Web. Web hosts provide space on a server owned or leased for use by clients, along with internet connectivity, typically in a data center. Hosting services range from shared hosting, virtual private servers (VPS), dedicated hosting, to cloud hosting. Reliable web hosting is crucial for website performance, uptime, security, and scalability, ensuring that websites are available to users around the clock.
A Web Browser is a software application that enables users to access, retrieve, and view information on the World Wide Web. Browsers interpret HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other web technologies to display web pages and multimedia content. Popular web browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Opera. They provide functionalities like bookmarking, tabbed browsing, extensions, and privacy modes, serving as the primary interface for interacting with web content.
A Web Server is a computer system or software that stores, processes, and delivers web pages to clients over the internet or an intranet. When a user requests a page through a web browser, the web server retrieves the requested content and sends it back using the HTTP or HTTPS protocol. Common web server software includes Apache HTTP Server, Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), and Nginx. Web servers host websites, handle user requests, and enable the delivery of dynamic and static content to users worldwide.