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Internet Jargon Explained 
Do you frequently come across words and phrases relating to use of the Internet which you simply do not understand? We hope that the information on this page might help to clarify a few things for you.
Please feel free to suggest other items for inclusion in the list!
Auto-submission. Auto-submission is a term used to describe the multiple submission of a website to various search engines. It can be compared to sending out an e-mail to many different addresses simultaneously.
Broadband. This refers to high-bandwidth Internet connections. These operate much more quickly than connections through a normal modem, typically five to forty times the speed, depending on the service selected.
Browser. A web browser is an application, or program that your computer runs to enable you to view pages on the Internet. Some of the popular ones are Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome. The term browser is also sometimes used to describe people who visit sites on the Internet!
Cookie. A small text file that is sent to your computer via your web browser when you visit some websites. Cookies are used to store information about you for the next time you visit that site - information like where you went on the site and what you did. Cookie files are a way for a website to remember you when you next visit, but if you want to surf the net without worrying about your privacy or security being threatened, you might decide to stop them being sent.
Cursor. In terms of websites, the cursor is the on-screen arrow, or mouse pointer. It will change shape when you position it over a link. It will also change shape if you place it over an image or text that causes a change on the page.
Dial-up connection. A much slower, less efficient method of connecting to the Internet compared to Broadband. Dial-up generally uses an ordinary telephone line to send and receive data. Until a few years ago this was the only means available for the majority of people to gain Internet access, but it has now been largely superceded.
Domain name. This is the part of the web address (see URL) that follows www.
Download. Quite simply, this is the process of copying a file or files from the Internet (i.e. from a web server somewhere) to your local computer's hard drive.
E-mail marketing. This is the sending of E-mails to groups of companies or individuals in order to promote your company’s products or services. It generally refers to the legitimate form of this activity, ‘permission-based e-mail marketing’, but may sometimes be considered to be spamming (see below).
FTP. This stands for File Transfer Protocol - a method for transferring data from local to remote locations (usually web servers). When a web designer (or anyone!) wishes to upload files from a PC to a web server, or vice-versa, they will usualy use some FTP software to do it.
Hosting. The term hosting refers to the hosting of your website by a third party. This is the storing on computer of all the information relating to your website that enables people to view it. These host computers are permanently (or as permanently as possible) connected to the web so that viewers have access to your site at all times.
HTML. This stands for Hypertext Markup Language. It is the universal language of the web, used to lay out pages in a format other than just plain text. It is used for text and background colours, dividers, links, … the list is almost endless. Web design software is sometimes used to automatically create this coding, saving much time for inexperienced or time-restricted web designers.
HTTP. This stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol - the underlying method used to transfer or convey information on the Internet, or World Wide Web. All URLs (see below) begin with HTTP.
ISP. Your Internet Service Provider is the company that provides you with the facility to access the web via your modem or other device. Examples are BT, AOL, Freeserve and Telecom Plus. Be careful in selecting your ISP.
Keywords. These are the words used by people looking for particular products or services on the Internet. They are typed in to the ‘Search’ boxes of Search Engines.
Links. Officially known as hyperlinks. These are links, or connections, usually to other websites, other parts of the same page, or to e-mail addresses. You click onto a link button, graphic, word or other object, and you are taken to the linked item. The cursor will change shape when it passes over a link.
Modem. This is the electronic device, usually inside your computer, that enables you to connect to the Internet via a telephone line.
Online Shop. A website or part of a website, which enables you to purchase goods or services over the Internet. A typical online shop will allow you to choose items from a list and add to a virtual 'shopping basket'. When you have finished shopping you proceed to the online 'checkout' where you make payment for your items and decide on delivery terms etc.
Payment Gateway. A highly secure online facility which allows you to make credit/debit card payments over the Internet. Popular payment gateways include Paypal, NoChex and WorldPay. A payment gateway will invariably be the final stage of an Online Shop transaction.
Search engines. Search engines are websites used by people browsing the internet to find other websites. 'Keywords' are inserted in the search box, and the search engine lists many of the sites containing these keywords.
SEO. This stands for Search Engine Optimisation. A website owner will naturally want his or her site to rank high in the search engine listings; to achieve this they will need to have their website optimised. SEO services are provided by a range of web designers and other specialist companies.
Spamming. The sending of junk e-mails to large groups of individuals or organisations. Such e-mails are sent to people who have expressed no interest in the company or its products. If spamming were not controlled, we would all be inundated with so many junk e-mails that we would not be able to find any genuine messages.
Upload. The opposite of Download - copying a file from your computer to a remote web server.
URL. This stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It is the ‘address’ of a website, such as http://www.ajbweb.co.uk. It enables the website to be found by any other computer connected to the internet.
Virus. A computer virus is a program that can copy itself from one computer to another without the permission or knowledge of either computer's owner. Viruses commonly spread via email attachments, which is why it is extremely important to be sure that any attachment you open is from a reliable source. There are other variations on the virus theme, such as Worms and Trojan Horses which can also do great damage to your computer system if left undetected.