2FA
See Two-Factor Authentication / Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
Technology Glossary
Showing 340 of 340 terms
Numbers & symbols
Back to A–Z3G / 4G / 5G
The generations of mobile data, which is the technology that lets your phone use the internet when you're out and about, away from Wi-Fi. Think of them as different classes of road: 5G is the newest and fastest, 4G is still perfectly good for email, browsing and most video calls, and 3G is the oldest. The UK mobile networks have now switched off 3G, so a very old phone that only works on 3G may no longer get online, and it's worth asking your provider if you're not sure. You'll see a 4G or 5G symbol at the top of your screen when your phone is using mobile data.
Did you know?
The G stands for "generation". Each new generation has arrived roughly ten years after the one before it.
What's the difference?
Wi-Fi comes from the router in your home and doesn't use your data allowance, whereas 4G and 5G come from phone masts and do use it.
Access
Being able to get into an online service and use it, such as opening your bank's website or your email. It works like a key to a building: with the right login details you're let in, and without them you're not. You may also hear it used more loosely, as in "I can't access my emails", which simply means you can't get in.
Account
Your own personal space on a website or app, set up with an email address and a password. It's like a library membership card or your own locker: it's uniquely yours, and it lets the service remember who you are and what you've saved or bought. You usually only create an account once; after that you "log in" to use it.
Be careful
Use a different password for each important account, such as your email and your bank, so that a problem with one doesn't spread to the others.
Acrobat (Adobe Acrobat / Acrobat Reader)
The programme that opens PDF files. "Adobe Acrobat Reader" is the free version, which lets you open, read, print and fill in PDFs. "Acrobat" or "Acrobat Pro" is a paid version for editing and creating PDFs, which most people never need. Your computer may not need either: Edge, Chrome and other browsers can open PDFs on their own. Because the name is so well known, scammers sometimes copy it in pop-ups and adverts saying "You need to download Acrobat". If a message appears out of the blue, close it and don't click. If you do need the real programme, type get.adobe.com/uk/reader into your browser yourself, or ask someone to help at a drop-in session.
Be careful
If a message tells you to download Acrobat, check where it comes from. The genuine one comes from Adobe's own website, www.adobe.com, and not from an advert or an unexpected pop-up.
What's the difference?
Acrobat Reader is the free programme for opening and printing PDFs, whereas Acrobat Pro is the paid one for editing them. Most people only ever need Reader.
Ad / Advertisement
Paid content that appears among search results or on websites, usually marked with the word "Ad" or "Sponsored". Someone has paid for it to be shown, so it isn't necessarily the best or most trustworthy result, rather like a shop paying to put its sign at the front of the high street. Scammers sometimes buy adverts too, so for your bank or an official service, it's safer to type the address yourself.
Be careful
Scammers pay for adverts that look like the real company's website, and they can appear at the top of the results. Look for the word "Ad" or "Sponsored" and check the web address before you enter any details.
What's the difference?
An ad is paid for, whereas an ordinary search result appears because the search engine thinks it matches what you typed.
Address Bar
The strip at the top of your browser where you type a website's address, like writing an address on an envelope. It also shows the address of the page you're on. In most browsers you can type a search straight into it, such as "weather Burgess Hill", as well as a full web address.
Be careful
Before you type a password or card number, glance at the address bar to check you are on the website you expect.
What's the difference?
In most browsers the address bar and the search bar are the same box. If you type a web address into it you go to that site, and if you type words you get search results.
Adobe
The name of the company that makes Acrobat and many other well-known programmes, such as Photoshop and Adobe Firefly. So Adobe and Acrobat aren't quite the same thing: Adobe is the company, and Acrobat is one of its programmes, rather like Ford being the company and Fiesta being the car.
What's the difference?
Adobe is the company, Acrobat is one of its programmes, and Acrobat Reader is the free version of that programme.
AirDrop / Nearby Share
A way to send photos or files straight to someone nearby, phone to phone, without emailing or texting them or using the internet. It's called AirDrop on iPhones and Nearby Share on Android. You choose a photo, tap Share, pick the person's name when it appears, and they tap to accept. It's handy for passing round holiday photos at a family gathering.
Be careful
On an iPhone, set AirDrop to "Contacts Only" so that strangers nearby can't send you pictures or files you didn't ask for.
Airmid
The phone app version of SystmOnline, made by the same company (TPP), which some GP surgeries use. If your surgery uses SystmOnline, it may offer Airmid as a way to do the same things on your smartphone, such as booking appointments or ordering repeat prescriptions, depending on what your surgery has switched on. Ask your surgery which app or website they use, as it varies.
AirPlay
Album
A named collection of photos grouped together on your phone, much like a traditional photo album, but digital. You can make an album for a holiday, a birthday or a grandchild, and add photos without making extra copies. Albums make photos much easier to find than scrolling back through years of pictures.
What's the difference?
Your Library holds every photo on your phone, whereas an album is a group of photos you've chosen to keep together, like a holiday or a birthday.
Alexa
Amazon's voice assistant, which lives inside Amazon Echo speakers and some other devices. You speak to it, starting with the word "Alexa", and it can answer questions, set timers, play music or radio, and control smart home gadgets such as lights. It is designed to wait for its name before it responds, and you can switch the microphone off with the button on top if you prefer.
Did you know?
Amazon has said the name Alexa was partly inspired by the ancient Library of Alexandria, once the greatest store of knowledge in the world.
Be careful
Alexa can be used to buy things. If others in the house might ask it to order something by accident, you can switch voice purchasing off or protect it with a code in the Alexa app.
Algorithm
A set of step-by-step instructions that a computer follows to solve a problem or complete a task, like a recipe for baking a cake, but for computers. You'll often hear the word in connection with social media and search results: the algorithm is what decides which posts, videos or adverts to show you next, based on what you've looked at before.
Did you know?
The word comes from the name of al-Khwarizmi, a Persian mathematician who lived about 1,200 years ago and wrote some of the earliest step-by-step methods for solving problems.
AMD Ryzen
Android
The operating system (the main software that makes the device work) used by most phones and tablets not made by Apple, including Samsung, Google Pixel, Sony and Motorola. It's made by Google, and is to a phone what Windows is to a PC. Apps for Android come from the Google Play Store, and the screens look slightly different between makes of phone.
Did you know?
Until Android 10, each version was named after a sweet or dessert in alphabetical order, from Cupcake and Donut to Pie. The name "android" is an old word for a robot built to look human, which is why the logo is a little green robot.
What's the difference?
Android is the system on phones from many makers, such as Samsung and Google, whereas iPhones are made only by Apple and use Apple's own system, iOS.
Anima
An online system used by some GP surgeries to ask for medical advice or help without phoning. You fill in a form on the surgery's website describing the problem, and the surgery replies, rather than you waiting in the phone queue first thing in the morning. Not every surgery uses it, so check the surgery's website or ask at reception.
Be careful
Online forms like this are not for emergencies. If it's urgent, phone 999 for an emergency or 111 for urgent advice.
Antivirus Software
A programme that protects your computer from viruses and other harmful software, a bit like a security guard for your device. It checks files and websites for anything suspicious and warns you or removes it. Windows comes with a free one built in, called Windows Security (Microsoft Defender), which is good enough for most people, so you rarely need to pay for another.
Be careful
A pop-up that says your computer is infected and tells you to phone a number is a scam. Real antivirus programmes don't do this, so close the window and don't call.
App / Application
A programme on your phone, tablet or computer designed to do one particular job, such as checking the weather, sending messages or banking. Think of apps as tools in a toolbox, each with its own purpose. Most phone apps are downloaded from an app shop (the App Store on iPhones, the Google Play Store on Android), and you can delete any you don't use.
App Drawer
A screen, mainly on Android phones, that lists every app installed on the device, usually in alphabetical order, like the contents page of a book. It's separate from the shortcuts on your main home screen, so if you can't find an app, try swiping up from the bottom of the home screen to open the drawer. Most phones also have a search box at the top.
App Store
Apple's official online shop for downloading apps onto iPhones and iPads. Its icon is a blue square with a white "A" made of sticks. Most apps are free to download, though some cost money or offer extras you pay for. Apple checks apps before they're allowed in, which makes it a safer place to download from than a link in an email or message.
Be careful
Only download apps from the official shop for your device. Look at the number of downloads and the reviews first, and be wary of copies with a very similar name.
What's the difference?
The App Store is Apple's shop for iPhones and iPads, whereas Android phones use the Google Play Store.
Apple M Chip (Apple Silicon)
Apple Pay / Google Pay
Apps that store your bank cards on your phone, so you can pay in shops or online by holding your phone near the card machine instead of carrying a physical card. You approve each payment with your fingerprint, face or phone passcode, and your real card number isn't given to the shop, which makes it very secure. Your own card still works as normal if you prefer it.
Did you know?
The shop never sees your real card number. Your phone sends a one-off code in its place, which is one reason this is considered safe.
Archive
A way of putting something out of sight without deleting it, like putting old paperwork in a box in the loft rather than shredding it. In email, archiving removes a message from your inbox but keeps it safely stored, so you can still find it later by searching. It's a good way to keep your inbox tidy without worrying about losing something important.
What's the difference?
Archiving puts something away for safekeeping where you can find it later, whereas deleting removes it. If you aren't sure, archive.
ARM Chip
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Technology that lets computers learn from examples and do tasks that normally need human thinking, such as holding a conversation, writing text or creating pictures, rather than only following fixed rules. You may already use it without realising, in voice assistants, spam filters and the suggestions on streaming services. It is often shortened to AI.
Did you know?
The term "artificial intelligence" was first used in 1955 and became widely known after a summer workshop in 1956 at Dartmouth College in the USA.
Be careful
Scammers can use AI to copy a person's voice. If a relative phones in a panic and asks for money, hang up and call them back on a number you already know.
Attachment
A file sent along with an email, such as a photo or document, like putting a document inside an envelope with your letter. In most email programmes an attachment is shown with a paperclip symbol. Be careful about opening attachments from people you don't know, or that you weren't expecting, as scammers use them to spread harmful software.
What's the difference?
An attachment is a file that travels inside the email, whereas a link takes you to a page on the internet. Both can be used by scammers, so check before you open either.
Authenticator App
A special app on your phone that creates a short security code, which changes every 30 seconds or so, for logging into your accounts. You use it as the second step of two-factor authentication: first your password, then the code from the app. It's more secure than a code sent by text message, and it works even when you have no signal.
Be careful
Never read out the six-digit code to anyone who phones or messages you. A real company will never ask for it.
What's the difference?
A code from an authenticator app is made on your phone, whereas a code sent by text arrives over the mobile network. The app is safer, because a text can be intercepted.
Auto Enhance
A button in your phone's photo editor that automatically improves a picture, adjusting the brightness, colour and more all at once. It's a good first thing to try if a photo looks dull or dark. If you don't like the result, you can cancel or undo it, because the original photo is kept.
Auto-Rotate
A setting that turns the screen sideways or upright automatically as you turn your phone, so a video or web page always sits the right way up. If the screen keeps flipping when you don't want it to, you can switch the setting off in Quick Settings, the panel you pull down from the top of the screen.
Autofill
A feature that automatically fills in your saved details, such as your name, address or card number, on online forms, so you don't have to type them out every time. It saves time, but use it only on your own device, and check the details are correct before you press Pay. On a shared computer, it's best switched off.
Back Button
Takes you to the previous screen or page, like turning back a page in a book. In a computer browser it's the arrow pointing left near the top. On a phone it's usually a Back arrow at the top left, or a swipe from the edge of the screen. It's the way to undo a wrong turn when you've clicked the wrong thing.
Backup
A copy of your files, photos or other information, stored somewhere separate from your device, so nothing is lost if the device is lost, dropped or stops working. Think of it as a spare key kept at a neighbour's house. Many phones back up automatically to the cloud (iCloud on iPhones, Google on Android) once it's switched on, and it's worth checking that it is.
Be careful
Check now and then that your backup is really working, for example by opening a photo from it. A backup you've never tested may not help when you need it.
What's the difference?
Syncing keeps your devices matching, so deleting a photo on one deletes it everywhere. A backup is a separate copy that stays safe even if you delete the original.
Barcode
The pattern of black and white stripes printed on product packaging, which shops scan at the till to identify the item and its price. Some phone camera tools, such as Google Lens, can read barcodes too, so you can look up a product or compare prices online while you're still in the shop.
What's the difference?
A barcode is a row of stripes that holds a product's number, whereas a QR code is a square pattern that can hold a web address and much more.
Battery
The part inside a phone, tablet or laptop that stores power, a bit like a fuel tank. When it runs low, you plug the device in to recharge it. Batteries slowly wear out over the years, so an older device may need charging more often than it used to. Turning the screen brightness down helps it last longer.
Be careful
Charge your devices using the charger supplied or one from a reputable maker, and don't leave them charging under a pillow or on a bed, as cheap chargers and batteries can overheat.
BCC
See CC / BCC.
Biometric
Using your unique physical features, such as a fingerprint or your face, to unlock a device or prove it's you. It's very secure because nobody else has your fingerprint or face, and it's quicker than typing a password. If it doesn't recognise you, for example when your fingers are wet, you can always use your PIN or passcode instead.
BIOS
A basic control panel built into your computer, separate from Windows itself, which runs when the machine first switches on. It's like the ignition in a car, which gets everything started before you drive off. Most people never need to open it, and a technician may need to change a setting there for you, so ask for help rather than experimenting.
Be careful
Leave the settings alone unless someone you trust has told you what to change, as a wrong change can stop the computer starting.
Bixby
Samsung's own voice assistant, built into Samsung phones alongside Google Assistant. You can call on it with the side button or its wake words, and ask it to open apps, take a photo or change a setting. If you'd rather use a different assistant, or none at all, you can switch it off in the phone's settings.
Block / Mute
Two ways of dealing with someone on social media whose posts you'd rather not see. Block stops a person from contacting you or seeing your posts at all, while mute quietly hides their posts from your view without them being told. Blocking is a sensible response to anyone who is rude or who you think may be a scammer, and you can undo either whenever you like.
Bluetooth
A way for your phone or computer to connect wirelessly to nearby devices such as headphones, speakers, a keyboard or your car, over short distances of about 10 metres. You "pair" the two devices once, a bit like introducing two people, and after that they usually recognise each other automatically. It doesn't use your mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Did you know?
Bluetooth is named after Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson, a Danish king who united parts of Denmark and Norway about 1,000 years ago. The logo combines the old runic letters for his initials.
Be careful
Only accept a Bluetooth pairing request if you started it yourself.
Bookmark
Saving a website's address so you can get back to it easily, like putting a bookmark in a book. Once it's saved, you can open it from a list instead of typing the address again or searching for it. In many browsers you save one by clicking the star symbol next to the address bar.
Broadband
The high-speed internet connection that comes into your home, usually through a phone line or fibre cable, and which Wi-Fi then shares around the house. It's provided by a company such as BT, Sky or Virgin Media for a monthly fee. A faster connection matters most if several people are online at once, or you watch a lot of video.
Be careful
Check when your contract ends, as prices often rise afterwards. Your provider must tell you before it ends, so use that chance to compare deals.
What's the difference?
Broadband is the connection that comes into your home, whereas Wi-Fi is how that connection is shared around the house without wires.
Browser
The programme you use to look at websites. Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox are all browsers. Think of it as the window you look through to see the internet, rather than the internet itself. Your computer and phone already come with one, and you can use whichever you like best.
What's the difference?
The browser is the programme you use to visit websites, whereas a search engine is a website you use inside it to find things.
Bug
A fault in a computer programme or app that makes it behave oddly or stop working, with nothing to do with insects, although the name is said to go back to a real moth found in an early computer in the 1940s. Bugs are usually fixed in updates, which is one good reason to keep your apps and devices up to date.
Cache
Saved data that your phone or browser stores so things load faster next time, like keeping your most-used tools on the kitchen worktop instead of in the shed. It builds up over time and can take up space, so clearing it can help if your device is running low on storage or a website is behaving oddly. It's safe to clear and won't delete your photos or documents.
Caller ID
The feature that shows you who is calling before you answer, displaying their name (if they're saved in your contacts) or their number. It's a useful first check: if you don't recognise a number, you don't have to pick up. Be aware that scammers can make a call look as if it's from your bank or a local number, so don't trust the display alone.
Camera App
The programme on your phone that takes photos and videos. It's usually on the home screen with a camera icon, and many phones let you open it quickly from the lock screen. The big round button takes the photo, and the other options, such as flash and portrait mode, are there if you want them. You can't break anything by trying them.
Camera Icon
The small camera symbol inside Google's search bar. Tap it to use Google Lens, which lets you point your phone at something, such as a plant, a product or a sign in another language, and it tells you what it is or translates it. It's like asking a well-travelled friend "what's this?" by showing them.
CAPTCHA
A short test on a website, such as ticking "I'm not a robot" or picking out the photos with buses in them, used to prove you're a real person rather than an automated computer programme. It can feel fiddly, but it's a normal and safe part of many websites. If you get one wrong, you'll be given another go.
Did you know?
The letters stand for "Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart".
Cast (Screen Mirroring / AirPlay / Chromecast)
Sending what's on your phone, tablet or computer screen — a video, photos or an app — to show on a bigger screen such as a smart TV, over Wi-Fi rather than a cable. It goes by several names depending on the make: "casting" or Chromecast (Google's, built into many Android phones, the Chrome browser and many TVs); AirPlay (Apple's, for iPhones, iPads and Macs); Smart View (Samsung); and Miracast or "wireless display" (Windows PCs and some TVs). "Screen mirroring" is the general name for showing exactly what is on your screen. You may also see the word "share" used: some TV makers use it in their own names for casting, and in a video call on Zoom, Teams or Google Meet, "Share screen" means showing your screen to the other people on the call (see Screen Sharing). Casting from an app such as YouTube or BBC iPlayer usually just sends the video to the TV, so you can carry on using your phone for something else. Your phone and TV normally need to be on the same Wi-Fi, and availability varies by model. If your TV can't do it, a streaming stick plugged into its HDMI socket can add it. See also Stream / Streaming and HDMI / VGA / DisplayPort (Monitor and TV Connections).
What's the difference?
Casting sends one video or photo to the TV while your phone is free to do other things, whereas mirroring copies everything on your phone screen onto the TV, including anything private that pops up.
CC / BCC (Carbon Copy / Blind Carbon Copy)
Two ways to send a copy of an email. CC means "carbon copy" (from the days of carbon paper): the person is sent a copy for their information, and everyone can see who else received it. BCC means "blind carbon copy": the person gets a copy, but nobody else can see their address. BCC is useful when emailing a group, such as a club, because it keeps everyone's email address private.
Be careful
Use BCC when you email a group of people who don't all know each other, so their addresses stay private. Take care with "Reply all", which sends your answer to everyone on the list.
Celeron
Charging
Plugging a device in to restore its battery power, usually with a cable and plug, or sometimes by placing it on a wireless charging pad. It's best to use the charger that came with your device, or a good-quality one, as poor-quality chargers can be slow or unreliable. For the plugs and cables used, see USB (USB-A / USB-C / Micro-USB) and Wireless Charging.
Chatbot
A computer programme you can have a conversation with, by typing or speaking, which replies in a way that sounds like a person. ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot are all chatbots. You can ask it questions or ask it to draft a letter, much like asking a knowledgeable helper, but it can sometimes get things wrong, so check anything important.
Did you know?
One of the first chatbots, called ELIZA, was written in the 1960s at a university in the USA. Some people who tried it found it surprisingly natural to talk to, even though it only followed fixed rules.
Be careful
Chatbots can sound sure of themselves and still be wrong, so check anything important. Don't type in your bank details, passwords or other private information.
Chip / Chip and PIN
The small gold square on the front of your bank card. It stores your card's security details and is much harder to copy than the old magnetic stripe on the back. When you insert your card into a reader and type your PIN ("Chip and PIN"), the chip is what the machine reads. Contactless payments use the same chip, but you simply hold the card near the reader instead. For the chips inside computers and phones, see Processor (CPU / GPU).
Did you know?
Chip and PIN began to replace signatures on UK bank cards in 2004.
Be careful
Your bank or the police will never ask you to hand over your card or tell them your PIN, whether by phone or at your door.
Chromecast
ChromeOS
The operating system used by Chromebook laptops, made by Google. It's designed to be fast and straightforward, working mainly through a web browser rather than programmes that you install on the computer. Chromebooks are usually cheaper than Windows laptops and suit email, browsing, video calls and watching programmes. See also ChromeOS Flex.
What's the difference?
ChromeOS is the whole system that runs a Chromebook, whereas Chrome is the web browser, which also works on Windows computers, Macs, phones and tablets.
ChromeOS Flex
A free operating system from Google that can give an older Windows PC a new lease of life if it can't upgrade to Windows 11. It turns the machine into something that works like a Chromebook, good for everyday tasks like email, browsing and video calls. It's best set up with a helper, and it won't run your old Windows programmes.
Be careful
Check that your computer is on Google's list of supported models before you install it, and back up your photos and documents first, as installing replaces what is on the machine.
Click / Double-click / Right-click
Pressing a mouse button once (click), twice in quick succession (double-click), or using the right-hand button (right-click). A single click usually selects something, a double-click opens it, and a right-click shows a menu of extra options. On a laptop's touchpad it works the same way, with a two-finger tap acting as a right-click.
Cloud / Cloud Storage
Storing your files, such as photos and documents, on secure computers on the internet rather than only on your own device. You can reach them from any device with an internet connection, and they stay safe if your device is lost or broken. It has nothing to do with the weather; think of it as an off-site storage unit you can visit from anywhere. iCloud, Google Drive and OneDrive are examples.
Be careful
Anything in the cloud is only as safe as your password. Use a strong one that you don't use elsewhere, and turn on two-step verification if it's offered.
Comment
Writing a reply to someone's post on social media, such as a photo a friend has shared. Your comment is usually visible to everyone who can see the post, so it's worth thinking of it as speaking in a room rather than whispering in someone's ear. For a private message to one person, use a direct message instead.
Be careful
Avoid putting personal details such as your address, when you'll be away on holiday, or your phone number in a comment, as many people can see it.
Compatible / Compatibility
Whether one thing is able to work with another, for example whether your computer can run Windows 11, or whether an app works on your phone. It's like checking that a plug fits the socket before you buy it. If something isn't compatible, it won't work properly with your device, so it's worth checking before you buy or download.
Cookies
Small bits of information that websites store on your device to remember you and your preferences, such as the items left in your shopping basket (they have nothing to do with baking). The messages asking you to "accept cookies" are normal. Accepting the essential ones is usually fine, and you can often decline the ones used for advertising.
Did you know?
Web cookies were invented in 1994 by an engineer at Netscape, which made one of the first popular web browsers.
What's the difference?
Cookies remember things about you, such as the items in your basket, whereas the cache saves copies of pages so they load faster next time.
Copy / Paste / Cut
Three ways of moving words, pictures or files around. Copy makes a duplicate, Cut removes the original but keeps it ready to place elsewhere, and Paste puts what you copied or cut into its new place. It's like photocopying a page and sticking it in a scrapbook. On a computer the shortcuts are Ctrl and C, Ctrl and X, and Ctrl and V (Command on a Mac); on a phone, press and hold on the text to see the options.
Did you know?
The words come from the days when editors really did cut text out of paper with scissors and stick it in another place.
CPU
Crop
Trimming away the parts of a photo you don't want, like cutting the edges off a printed photo with scissors, except that you can change your mind because the original is usually kept safe. It's useful for removing something distracting at the edge of a picture, or for zooming in on the important part. Look for Edit, then the crop symbol.
CRT
Cryptocurrency
Digital money that exists only online, such as Bitcoin, with no coins or notes involved and no bank in the middle. Its value can swing sharply up and down, and payments are very hard to trace or reverse. That's why scammers like to ask for it: if someone you don't know asks you to pay in cryptocurrency, treat it as a serious warning sign.
Be careful
Anyone who promises guaranteed profits, or asks you to pay them in cryptocurrency, is almost certainly a scammer. Payments are very hard to get back.
Dark Mode
A display setting that changes the background of your screen from white to black, with light-coloured writing. Some people find it gentler on the eyes, especially in the evening, and on some phones it can help the battery last longer. It's a personal choice, and you can switch it on or off in your phone's display settings.
Data
Information stored on a device or online, such as your photos, documents, messages and emails; it's another word for the "stuff" on your device. "Data" is also used for mobile data, the allowance that lets your phone use the internet when you're away from Wi-Fi. So "I've run out of data" means you've used up your mobile internet allowance.
Data Breach
When criminals break into a company's computer systems and steal customer information such as names, email addresses and passwords. It isn't something you did wrong, and it can happen to big, well-known firms. If you're told your details were involved, change your password for that service, and anywhere else you used the same one, and watch out for suspicious emails and texts.
Data Centre
A large, secure building full of powerful computers (called servers) where companies store the files you keep in the cloud, like a giant storage facility with guards, cameras and very limited access. When you save a photo to the cloud, a copy is kept in one of these buildings, and often in more than one, so it isn't lost if something goes wrong.
Deepfake
A video or audio recording that has been altered using AI to make it look or sound as if someone said or did something they didn't. Scammers sometimes use them, for example a fake voice message that sounds like a relative asking for money. If something seems out of character or urgent, hang up and check by ringing the person on a number you already know.
Be careful
If a video or call seems out of character or urgent, especially one asking for money, check with the person by another route, such as phoning them on a number you already have.
Delete
Removing something from your device. Many phones move deleted items to a bin or "Recently Deleted" folder first, where they stay for around 30 days before being permanently removed, much like putting something in the bin at home but still being able to fish it out. If you delete something by mistake, check there before worrying.
Desktop
The main screen on a computer, showing your icons, shortcuts and files against the background picture you've chosen. Think of it as the top of your desk, where you keep the things you use most. "Desktop" can also mean a desktop computer, the kind with a separate screen and base unit, as opposed to a laptop.
Device
Any piece of technology you use to get online or to store things, such as your phone, tablet or computer. When instructions say "on your device", they mean whichever of these you're using. It's a useful catch-all word that saves explaining each one in turn.
Digital Assets
Anything you own or have online that has value, either in money or in memories. This includes photos stored on your phone or in the cloud, emails, social media accounts, music and film libraries, online banking, loyalty points, and websites or domain names you pay for. Some of these can be passed on in a will, and some can't, so it helps to make a list of what you have and where. See also Digital Legacy.
Did you know?
Many digital purchases, such as a music or film library, are only a licence to use them, so they may not be able to be passed on like a book or a CD collection. The terms and conditions of each service explain what happens.
Digital Footprint
All the information about you that can be found online, such as posts, photos and comments you've shared, and anything others have shared about you. Like footprints in sand, it can be left behind without you noticing. You can't erase all of it, but you can reduce it by checking your privacy settings and thinking before you post.
Be careful
Before you post, ask yourself whether you'd be happy for a stranger to see it. Photos can give away your house number, your car or when you are on holiday.
Digital Legacy
What is left of your online life after you die, such as your email, photos, social media accounts, subscriptions and anything stored in the cloud. Without a plan, family members can find it very hard, or impossible, to get into these accounts. Thinking about it now is a kindness to the people who will have to deal with things later, and it need not take long. See also Digital Assets and Legacy Contact.
Be careful
Don't put passwords in your will. A will becomes a public record once probate is granted. Keep a separate, secure list of your accounts and tell your executor where it is.
What's the difference?
A digital legacy is about your online accounts and files, whereas your will deals with your money and property. You need to think about both, and they should point to each other.
Direct Message (DM)
A private message sent to one person on a social media platform, rather than a post that everyone can see. It's like passing a note instead of announcing something in the town square. Scammers also use direct messages, so be cautious if someone you don't know messages you, or if a friend suddenly asks for money.
What's the difference?
A post can be seen by many people, whereas a direct message goes only to the person you send it to.
DisplayPort
Do Not Disturb
A setting that silences calls, texts and notifications so they don't ring or vibrate, although they still arrive and are waiting when you look, like a "do not disturb" sign on a hotel door. It's handy overnight, during a meal or at a talk. You can usually switch it on from Quick Settings, and many phones can let important people's calls through.
What's the difference?
Silent mode stops the sound, but alerts still light up the screen, whereas Do Not Disturb also holds back the alerts until you're ready.
Dock
A row of your most-used apps that stays in place at the bottom of the screen. On a phone it stays the same on every page of the home screen; on a Mac it's the strip of icons along the bottom or side, and Windows has a similar strip called the taskbar. It's a quick route to the things you use most, such as the phone, messages, camera and browser.
Domain
The main part of a website or email address that shows who owns it, such as nhs.uk or gov.uk. It's like the name of the street and town in a postal address. Checking the domain is one of the best ways to spot a fake: a message claiming to be from your bank but coming from an odd or misspelt domain should be treated with suspicion.
Be careful
Genuine UK government websites end in gov.uk. Read the end of the address carefully, as scammers use look-alikes with extra words or dashes.
What's the difference?
A URL is the full address of a page, whereas the domain is the main part that shows who owns the website.
Download
Copying something from the internet onto your device, like bringing a purchase home from a shop. It might be an app, a photo, a form or a document. Downloaded files usually go into a folder called Downloads, so if you can't find something you've saved, look there. Only download from places you trust, such as official app shops and genuine websites.
Be careful
Only download files and apps from places you trust, and look in your Downloads folder afterwards if you aren't sure where something has gone.
Drag
Pressing and holding something on the screen, or with the mouse button, then moving it while still pressing, like pushing a book across a table. You use it to move a file into a folder, slide a picture into place or move around a long page. Lift your finger or release the button to drop it where you want it.
e-consult
An online form where you describe your health problem to your GP surgery, instead of phoning. The "e" means electronic, in the same way that e-mail is electronic mail. The surgery looks at what you've written and replies. Not every surgery uses it, and it isn't for emergencies; for those, ring 999.
Be careful
Online forms are not for emergencies. If it's urgent, phone 999 for an emergency or 111 for urgent advice.
Edit
Making changes to a photo after it has been taken, such as brightening it, cropping it or straightening it. Open the photo and look for a button marked Edit, or an icon of sliders. You can see the changes as you make them, and nothing is permanent until you save, so you can always press Cancel.
Email
Electronic mail: messages sent over the internet that arrive in seconds and are free to send and receive. You need an email address, such as name@gmail.com, and can attach photos and documents. It's the digital version of sending a letter, without the stamp or the wait for the postman. You can read it on a phone, tablet or computer.
Did you know?
The first email was sent in 1971 by an American programmer, Ray Tomlinson, who also chose to use the @ symbol in email addresses.
Emergency SOS
A quick way to call for emergency help from your phone, usually by pressing the side button several times in quick succession, though the exact method depends on your phone. It calls the emergency services, and many phones can also text your emergency contacts with your location. It's worth finding out how it works on your phone before you ever need it.
Did you know?
The UK's 999 service began in London in 1937 and is one of the oldest emergency numbers in the world.
Be careful
If you call the emergency services by accident, stay on the line and tell them it's a mistake, as they may otherwise send help.
Emoji
Small pictures showing emotions or objects, such as 😊 📱 ❤️, which you can add to text messages and social media posts. They're the modern version of a smiley face, and a friendly way to add tone to a short message. On a phone, tap the smiley-face key on the keyboard to find them.
Did you know?
The word comes from Japanese: "e" means picture and "moji" means character. It has nothing to do with the word "emotion", although it sounds as if it should.
What's the difference?
An emoticon is made from keyboard characters, such as :-), whereas an emoji is a tiny picture.
Encrypted / Encryption
Scrambling information into secret code that only the right person can unlock, like writing a letter in code so nobody else can read it. When a website address begins with https and shows a padlock, your information is encrypted on its way. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp encrypt your messages too, so they stay private between you and the person you're writing to.
Be careful
A padlock or https at the start of an address means the connection is private, but not that the website is trustworthy, as scam sites can have one too.
Ethernet
A cable that connects a computer, TV or games console straight to your router, instead of using Wi-Fi. The plug looks like a chunky telephone plug and clicks into place. A wired connection is usually faster and steadier than Wi-Fi and needs no password, so it is worth considering for a desktop PC or TV that stays in one place, or when Wi-Fi keeps dropping out. Many thin, modern laptops have no Ethernet socket, in which case a small adapter that plugs into a USB socket can add one. See also Router and Wi-Fi / WiFi.
Did you know?
Ethernet was invented in the 1970s at the Xerox research centre in California, long before home Wi-Fi existed.
What's the difference?
An Ethernet cable usually gives a steadier connection, whereas Wi-Fi is more convenient because you can move around.
Ex-Business Machine
A computer that was previously used by a company rather than a home user, and has been checked and resold. These are often built to a higher standard than cheap new home machines, because they were made to survive daily office use, which makes them a reliable second-hand buy. Look for a warranty and a reputable seller. See also Refurbished and Grade A / B / C.
Executor
The person, or people, you choose in your will to carry out your wishes after you die. They collect what you own, pay any debts and bills, and share the rest out as your will says. It is a responsible job, so pick someone you trust who is willing to do it, and tell them where your will is kept. An executor may also need to deal with your online accounts, so a list of them is a great help. See also Probate.
Did you know?
You can name more than one executor, and you can name a professional such as a solicitor. A person who is also a beneficiary can usually be an executor too.
Extended Security Updates (ESU)
A safety-net scheme from Microsoft that keeps sending important security fixes to an older version of Windows for a further period, for people who aren't ready to move on yet. It works rather like an extended warranty: your computer carries on as before, but it is only a temporary measure that buys you time to upgrade or replace it. For home users of Windows 10, Microsoft has extended the scheme to October 2027, and you can join free using Windows Backup or Microsoft Rewards points, or by paying a one-off fee.
External Hard Drive
A physical device you can plug into your computer to store extra files, like an extra storage box for your digital belongings. It's also a good place to keep a backup copy of your photos and documents, separate from the computer itself. Most plug into a USB socket and are no bigger than a paperback book. See also SSD / Hard Drive (HDD) and Backup.
Be careful
Keep your backup drive somewhere other than next to your computer, so that a fire or burglary doesn't take both.
Face Recognition / Face Unlock
Technology that identifies you by looking at your face, used to unlock phones or to suggest names when tagging people in photos. On a phone, it means you can unlock the screen by looking at it, without typing a PIN. If it doesn't recognise you, for example in poor light or when wearing sunglasses, you can always use your PIN instead.
FaceTime
Apple's video and audio calling app, built into iPhones, iPads and Macs, for calling other people for free over the internet. You can see the other person as you talk, which is lovely for chatting with grandchildren who live far away. It's free over Wi-Fi, and on mobile data it uses up some of your allowance. If you're sent a FaceTime link, it can also be opened on some non-Apple devices.
File
A document, photo, video or any other item stored on your device, much like a single sheet of paper or a photograph in a filing cabinet. Each file has a name, and the letters at the end of the name tell your device what type it is. Files are kept in folders so you can find them again.
File Format
The type of a file, shown by the letters after the dot at the end of its name: for example .jpg for photos, .pdf for documents and .mp4 for videos. It tells your device which app to use to open the file. If a file won't open, it may be because your device doesn't have a programme that understands that format, and a different app can usually open it.
Be careful
Be suspicious of an attachment whose name ends with something like ".pdf.exe" or a file ending in ".exe", which can run a programme on your computer. If it isn't what you expect, don't open it.
Find My Phone / Find My Device
A free service that shows a lost or stolen phone's last known location on a map, and can make it ring, lock it or erase it remotely to protect your information. On an iPhone it's called Find My, and on Android it's Find My Device. It needs to be switched on in your settings before you lose the phone, so it's worth checking now.
Be careful
Set it up before you lose your phone, as it can't be switched on afterwards. Be wary of a text claiming your lost phone has been found and asking you to tap a link, as it may be a scam.
Firewall
Security software that checks information coming into and going out of your device, and blocks anything suspicious, like a security guard checking who comes in and out of a building. Windows and Macs have one built in and switched on, so you usually don't need to do anything. Your home router has a basic firewall as well.
Flash
The bright light on your phone that helps you take photos in dark places. You can set it to on, off or automatic, and automatic, which lets the phone decide, is usually best. Flash can make faces look washed out, and it isn't allowed in some museums and theatres, so it's worth knowing how to switch it off.
Flight Mode (Airplane Mode)
Turns off all wireless connections, including calls, texts, Wi-Fi and mobile data, so your phone can't send or receive anything. It's needed on aeroplanes, which is where the name comes from, but it's also handy for saving battery or for a peaceful night with no calls or alerts. Most phones let you switch Wi-Fi back on while staying in flight mode.
Focus
Making sure the important part of your photo is sharp and clear rather than blurry. Tap the screen where you want the camera to focus, and a small square or circle will appear to show it has. If a photo comes out blurry, it's often because the camera focused on the wrong thing, or because the phone moved a little.
What's the difference?
On an iPhone, "Focus" is also the name of a setting that quietens alerts, a bit like Do Not Disturb. Here we mean the camera making the picture sharp.
Folder
A container that holds files, like a real folder holds papers. You can create folders for different things, such as "Holiday photos" or "Bills", and put related files inside so you can find them again quickly. Folders can even sit inside other folders, like a smaller folder inside a drawer.
Follow
Choosing to see someone's posts on social media, a bit like subscribing to a newsletter. When you follow a person or a page, their new posts appear in your feed. Following doesn't send them a message and doesn't commit you to anything, and you can unfollow at any time.
What's the difference?
Following is one-way, so you see someone's posts without them needing to agree, whereas becoming a friend on Facebook needs both people to accept.
Friend Request
Asking to connect with someone on social media, usually Facebook. If they accept, you'll see each other's posts and can message each other. Only accept requests from people you actually know, as scammers set up fake profiles, often copying a real person's photo, to get friendly before asking for money.
Front Camera
The camera on the same side as the screen, used for selfies and video calls. It's usually of lower quality than the camera on the back, so use the back camera for the best photos of anything other than yourself. Tap the camera-switch symbol to swap between them.
GB / Gigabyte
A measure of storage space, used to say how much your device can hold. A typical photo is around 2 to 5 MB, and there are 1,000 megabytes in a gigabyte, so one gigabyte holds several hundred photos. Phones commonly have 64GB, 128GB or 256GB, and free cloud services give you a few GB to start with.
What's the difference?
A gigabyte (GB) measures how much a device can store, whereas Mbps measures how fast your internet connection is. A megabyte (MB) is a thousand times smaller than a gigabyte.
Generative AI
A type of AI that creates new content, such as writing, images, music or video, based on patterns it has learned from lots of examples. ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot can write text for you, and tools such as Adobe Firefly can create pictures from a description. What they produce can sound very convincing but may contain mistakes, so check anything important.
Be careful
AI can now produce pictures, voices and videos that look real but aren't, so be cautious about anything surprising or urgent.
What's the difference?
A search engine finds pages that already exist, whereas generative AI writes something new, which can contain mistakes.
Gesture
A movement you make on a touchscreen with your fingers, such as swiping, tapping or pinching. Each gesture tells the device something different: a tap selects, a swipe moves between pages, and a pinch makes things bigger or smaller. They can feel unfamiliar at first, but they soon become second nature, and you can't break anything by practising.
GIF
A short moving picture or animation that plays over and over, often used in messages for a laugh. The word is pronounced either "jiff" or "giff", and people do disagree. You may see a GIF button in messaging apps that lets you search for one to send.
Did you know?
GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format, created in 1987. Its inventor said it should be pronounced "jif", though plenty of people still say it with a hard G.
Gift Card
A prepaid card holding a set amount of money to spend in a particular shop, which makes a popular present. Scammers also ask for them because they're hard to trace, so never buy gift cards or read out the codes at the request of someone you haven't met in person, however urgent or official they sound. No genuine organisation, such as the tax office or the police, will ask to be paid this way.
Gmail
Google's free email service. Addresses end in @gmail.com, and each one comes with Google Drive cloud storage. You can use Gmail on a computer through a web browser, or on a phone with the Gmail app. It filters out much of the spam automatically, and if you have an Android phone, you probably already have an account.
What's the difference?
Gmail is the email service, whereas your Google Account is the membership behind it, which also gives you Drive, Photos, YouTube and more with the same login.
Google (verb)
To search for something online, as in "I'll Google that". The word comes from Google, the best-known search engine, but people use it for any online search, even with a different search engine. A typical Google might be "bus times Burgess Hill" typed into the search bar.
Did you know?
The company's name came from "googol", the number one followed by a hundred zeros, which the founders mis-spelt.
Google Account
A free account with Google that lets you use services such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos and YouTube with a single email address and password. If you have an Android phone, you already have one. It's worth keeping the password safe and turning on two-step verification, as so much is linked to it.
Be careful
Anyone who gets into your Google Account can see your email, photos and files, so give it a strong password and switch on two-step verification.
Google Assistant
Google's voice assistant, built into Android phones and many speakers. Say "Hey Google" to ask it questions, set reminders or timers, or control other apps and devices by speaking, which is helpful if typing is difficult. On many newer phones, Google's Gemini is gradually taking over this role.
Google Chrome
Google's web browser, available free on computers, phones and tablets. If you sign in with your Google account, it can keep your bookmarks and passwords the same across all your devices. It's one of several browsers you can choose from, and it isn't the same thing as Google, the search engine, which you use inside it.
What's the difference?
Chrome is the browser, which is the programme you open, whereas Google is a search engine you use inside it. Using one doesn't mean you have to use the other.
Google Drive
Google's cloud storage service, which comes with Android phones and Gmail accounts and gives you 15GB of free storage, shared with Gmail and Google Photos. You can keep documents, photos and other files there and reach them from any device, a bit like a filing cabinet in the sky. When the free space is used up, you'll be offered a paid monthly plan, but you don't have to take one.
What's the difference?
Drive stores any kind of file, whereas Google Photos is for pictures and videos. Both draw on the same 15GB of free space.
Google Meet
Google's video calling service. It works in a web browser, so you can usually join a call by clicking on a link you've been sent, without installing anything on a computer. On a phone, you may be asked to download the Meet app. See also Video Call.
Google Photos
A free app and service from Google that stores and organises your photos and videos in the cloud, available on both Android phones and iPhones. It can back up your pictures automatically, so they're safe if your phone is lost, and it groups them by date, people and places so you can search for "beach" or "Anna". The free storage is 15GB, shared with Gmail and Google Drive.
Be careful
When backup is switched on, deleting a photo in Google Photos deletes it from all your devices too, so check before you tidy up.
Google Play Store
Android's official online shop for downloading apps, with a colourful triangle icon. It's the Android equivalent of the App Store on an iPhone. Use this shop, rather than links in emails or messages, when you want a new app, and look at the number of downloads and the reviews to check it's genuine.
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Satellites in space that allow a device to work out its position on Earth, which is what apps such as Google Maps use to show where you are and guide you to where you're going. It works anywhere with a clear view of the sky, even without a mobile signal, though maps may need to be downloaded in advance.
Did you know?
Your phone only listens to signals from the satellites and doesn't send anything back to them, which is why GPS works without a phone signal.
GPU
Grade A / B / C
A scale describing how a second-hand device looks. Grade A looks almost new, Grade B may have light marks, and Grade C shows more visible wear. All grades should still work properly, and the grade describes appearance rather than performance, so a Grade B or C can be good value if you don't mind a few scuffs. See also Refurbished.
Grid Lines
Optional lines across your camera screen, which help you line up a shot so that horizons and buildings sit straight. They appear only on the screen while you're taking the photo and don't show up in the finished picture. Some people find them helpful and others never use them, and you can switch them on or off in your camera settings.
Group Chat
A conversation with several people at once, for example the whole family or a club. A message sent to the group is seen by everyone in it. It's handy for sharing news or photos in one go, but it can get busy, and you can usually mute the chat so it doesn't ping with every new message. Remember that your replies may go to everyone, not only the person you meant.
Hard Drive
Hardware
The physical parts of a computer, phone or tablet that you can touch, such as the screen, keyboard, battery and the chips inside. It's the equipment itself, where software is the instructions that make it work, rather like a record player and the music it plays. If a device is dropped, it's usually the hardware that gets damaged. See also Software.
Hashtag
A word or phrase with the # symbol in front of it on social media, which groups posts on the same topic together so they're easier to find. For example, clicking #BurgessHill shows posts that people have tagged with it. They're like labelled boxes in a filing cabinet. You don't need to use hashtags yourself, but you will see them often.
HDMI
HDMI / VGA / DisplayPort (Monitor and TV Connections)
The cables and sockets used to connect a computer to a bigger screen, such as a monitor, TV or projector. HDMI is the most common today: a flat, wide plug that carries both picture and sound, found on TVs, most laptops, games consoles and streaming sticks. DisplayPort is similar but mainly used on computer monitors, and its plug has one angled corner. VGA is the older kind: a blue, D-shaped plug with 15 tiny holes and two screws, found on older monitors and projectors. It carries the picture only, with no sound, so you would need a separate sound cable. Many thin, newer laptops have no full-size sockets, in which case a small adapter lets a USB-C port connect to HDMI or VGA. Check which sockets your devices have before buying a cable, and don't force a plug, as each one only fits the right way round. On a TV you may also need to press the Input or Source button on the remote to switch to the right socket. See also USB (USB-A / USB-C / Micro-USB).
Home Button
Takes you to your phone's main screen, whatever you're doing, like finding your way back to the front door. Some phones have a physical button for this, while on others you swipe up from the bottom of the screen. If you're ever lost in an app, use it to get back somewhere familiar.
Home Screen
The main screen you see when you unlock or wake your phone, showing your apps. It's like the hallway in a house, where all the rooms (apps) branch off. You can arrange the apps how you like by pressing and holding one and dragging it, and you can have several pages that you swipe between.
Hotmail
Microsoft's older email service, which is now called Outlook. If you have an address ending in @hotmail.com, it still works, and it automatically comes with OneDrive cloud storage. You don't need to change it, and your emails carry on arriving as normal.
Did you know?
Hotmail started in 1996 and was bought by Microsoft in 1997, which makes it one of the oldest web email services.
Hotspot (Personal Hotspot / Mobile Hotspot)
A setting that lets your phone share its mobile data connection with another device, such as a laptop or tablet, turning your phone into a small, temporary Wi-Fi router. It's handy when you're out and about and there's no Wi-Fi nearby. Everything the other device does uses your phone's data allowance, so keep an eye on it, and switch the hotspot off afterwards to save battery.
Be careful
Give your hotspot a password so that strangers can't use your data, and switch it off when you've finished.
HTTPS
A website address starting with "https://" rather than "http://". The "S" stands for "secure", meaning the information passing between you and the site is scrambled so that others can't read it, much like a sealed envelope rather than a postcard. A padlock symbol usually appears beside it. It does not mean the site itself is trustworthy, as scam sites can use it too, so always check the address carefully as well.
ICE (In Case of Emergency)
An older habit of putting the letters ICE before a contact's name, for example "ICE – Sarah (daughter)", so that anyone looking through your phone after an accident would know who to call. It has largely been replaced by Medical ID and Emergency Information, which anyone can see from the lock screen without needing your PIN. It's still worth having as a backup. See also Medical ID.
iCloud
Apple's cloud storage service for iPhone, iPad and Mac users, a bit like a filing cabinet in the sky that is tied to your Apple account. It can keep copies of your photos, contacts and phone settings, so they're safe if your device is lost or broken. Every Apple account includes 5GB of free storage, and if you need more, you can pay a small monthly fee. See also Cloud / Cloud Storage.
Be careful
The free 5GB fills up quickly if you back up a phone full of photos. You'll be offered a paid plan, but you don't have to take one, and you can see what's using the space in Settings.
Icon
A small picture or symbol on your screen that you tap or click to open an app, file or setting. Think of it as a shop sign: the picture tells you what's inside before you go in. Each app has its own icon, and you can usually press and hold one to move it around.
Identity Theft
When criminals steal your personal details, such as your name, date of birth and address, and use them to pretend to be you, often to take out credit or commit fraud. They may get hold of the details from a scam call, a fake email or a lost bill. You can protect yourself by keeping your details private, shredding paperwork with your name and address on it, and checking your bank statements regularly.
Be careful
If you think your details have been stolen, tell your bank straight away. You can also check your credit report for accounts you don't recognise, and you can see it for free.
iMessage
Apple's messaging service between iPhones, iPads and Macs, shown as blue speech bubbles. Because it travels over the internet, it doesn't use your text message allowance, and it lets you send photos and videos without extra charge. If you send a message to someone without an Apple device, the bubble turns green and it goes as an ordinary text.
Incognito / Private Browsing
A web browser setting that doesn't keep a record of the websites you visit or what you search for on that device, once you close the window. It's useful on a shared or public computer, or when you're choosing a surprise present. It doesn't make you invisible, though, as the websites themselves, your internet provider and your employer can still see what you do.
Installation Assistant
A free tool from Microsoft that you download and run on your computer to guide you through installing a new version of Windows, such as moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11. It checks your computer is suitable first, and then leads you through each stage. It's wise to back up your photos and documents before you begin.
Intel (Core / Celeron / Pentium)
A company that makes the chips (processors) inside many Windows PCs, and the names you see on laptop labels. Core is Intel's main range, and the numbers i3, i5, i7 and i9 run from everyday use up to the most powerful, so an i5 is usually a good all-rounder. Celeron and Pentium are cheaper, slower chips found in budget laptops; they cope with email, browsing and video, but can feel sluggish with lots of programmes open. Some newer budget laptops simply say "Intel Processor", and the newest top range is called Core Ultra. The age of the chip matters for Windows 11: chips from around 2018 onwards (Intel's 8th generation or newer) are generally fine. To see which chip your PC has, go to Settings, then System, then About. Intel chips use a design called x86. See also Processor (CPU / GPU).
Internet
The worldwide network that connects millions of computers, phones and other devices, so that they can share information. Think of it as a global postal system, but one where the letters arrive in seconds. It is what lets you send emails, watch videos, and visit websites. You get connected to it through your home broadband, Wi-Fi or mobile data.
What's the difference?
The internet is the worldwide network. The web is the websites you visit on it, and Wi-Fi is one way for your device to connect to it.
iOS
The operating system that runs on Apple iPhones, which is the main programme that makes the phone work and lets all the other apps run. It plays the same role as Android does on other phones. Apple releases updates every so often, which fix problems and add features, and it's wise to install them when your phone suggests it. The version for iPads is called iPadOS.
Did you know?
It was called "iPhone OS" until 2010, when it was renamed iOS to include the iPad and iPod touch.
IP Address
A number that identifies your internet connection, a bit like the postal address of your house, so that the information you ask for knows where to be delivered. Your internet provider gives your home an IP address, and it can change from time to time. You never need to remember or type yours, but websites can use it to work out roughly where you are, for example to show you local news. See also Router.
iPhone
A smartphone made by Apple. As well as making calls and sending texts, it can take photos, go online, and run thousands of apps from the App Store. It's controlled by touching the screen, and has built-in accessibility features such as larger text, spoken descriptions and voice control. See also iOS.
Did you know?
The first iPhone went on sale in 2007, and before then most mobile phones had buttons rather than a touchscreen.
Keyboard / QWERTY
The set of keys you type with, either a physical keyboard on a laptop or computer, or one that appears on the screen of a phone or tablet when you tap a box to type. QWERTY (said "kwer-tee") is the standard layout of letters, named after the first six letters on the top row. Nearly every computer and phone uses it, so once you know one keyboard you can use them all. The Shift key gives capital letters, and the Backspace key deletes what you have just typed.
Did you know?
QWERTY is named after the first six letters on the top row. The layout comes from typewriters in the 1870s, and we still use it on phones today.
LCD / OLED (Screen Types)
The two main kinds of flat screen found on modern TVs, laptops, monitors and phones. An LCD screen is lit from behind by a lamp, a bit like a window with a light shining through a coloured blind. An OLED screen is made of millions of tiny dots that each make their own light and can switch off completely, so blacks look truly black and colours often look richer. OLED is common on newer phones and higher-priced TVs; LCD is found on most everyday screens. Both are very good, so you don't need to worry about which you have. Before either came along, TVs and computer monitors were deep, heavy boxes called CRTs (cathode ray tubes) — the bulky sets many of us grew up with. For screens you control by touch, see Touchscreen.
Legacy Contact
Someone you choose in advance to look after your account if you die. Apple lets you name one in the settings on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, and Facebook lets you name one for your profile. Once you have named a person, they can be given access to certain things, such as your photos or a memorial page, after they provide proof of death. It is quick to set up and means your family will not have to struggle to get in. See also Digital Legacy.
Did you know?
Google has a similar tool called Inactive Account Manager. You choose how long the account must be unused before Google contacts the people you have named.
Be careful
A legacy contact is not the same as sharing your password, and you shouldn't give anyone your passcode. Use the proper setting instead, because it keeps your account protected until it is really needed.
Lens
The round piece of glass on your phone's camera that gathers the light to take a picture, much like the lens in a pair of glasses. If your photos look blurry or smudged, it's worth wiping the lens gently with a soft cloth, as it often gets covered in fingerprints from being in a pocket or bag. Some phones have more than one lens, for close-up, wide or zoomed pictures.
Library (Photo Library)
The place on your phone where all your photos and videos are kept together, much like a library keeps books. You can scroll through it to find a picture, search for a person or place, or sort pictures into albums. It's worth tidying now and then, as lots of photos can fill up your phone's storage. See also Album.
Lightning
Like
A way of showing you enjoyed a post on social media by tapping a thumbs-up or heart symbol, a bit like nodding or smiling at someone's news. It's a quick way to be friendly without writing anything. The person who posted will see that you liked it, as will others, so only tap it for things you are happy to be associated with.
Did you know?
Facebook introduced its "Like" button in 2009, and the thumbs-up has since spread to nearly every social media site.
Link / Hyperlink
Text, a picture or a button that takes you straight to another page when you click or tap it. Links are often coloured blue and underlined, and the pointer on a computer changes to a little hand when you hover over one. Be careful with links in unexpected emails and texts, as scammers use them, so if you're unsure, don't click.
Be careful
On a computer, you can hover over a link without clicking it to see where it really goes, in the corner of the screen. On a phone, press and hold the link to see the address.
Linux
A free operating system that is an alternative to Windows, sometimes installed on older computers to give them a new lease of life. It looks and works a little differently, but it can still do email, browsing and documents. Many people never notice they are using it, as it also runs behind the scenes in many websites and gadgets.
Did you know?
Linux was started in 1991 by a Finnish student, Linus Torvalds, and its mascot is a penguin called Tux.
Live Stream
A video broadcast that is happening at that very moment, like watching live television but over the internet, on sites such as YouTube or Facebook. It might be a church service, a concert or a council meeting. You watch it as it happens, and you can often replay it later. It uses a fair amount of data, so Wi-Fi is better than mobile data.
Lock Screen
What you see when you wake your phone but before you unlock it. It usually shows the time, the date and any notifications, but nothing private until you enter your PIN or use your fingerprint or face. It is like looking through your front window before you open the door. Medical ID information can be seen from here in an emergency.
Log In / Log Out
Entering your details, usually a username or email address and a password, to get into an account (log in), or leaving it when you've finished (log out). It's like unlocking the front door when you arrive and locking it again when you leave. Logging out matters most on shared or public computers, so the next person can't see your things.
Long Press
Pressing and holding your finger on something on the screen for a second or two, rather than tapping it quickly. This often brings up extra choices, much like right-clicking with a mouse on a computer. For example, a long press on an app lets you move or remove it, and on text it lets you copy and paste.
Low Power Mode
A setting that cuts down on background activity to make your battery last longer, called Low Power Mode on iPhones and Battery Saver on many Android phones. Your phone usually suggests it when the charge gets low, and you can also switch it on yourself. Some things, such as automatic email checking, may run more slowly while it's on, and it turns off once the phone is charged.
Lowercase / Uppercase Letters
Lowercase letters are the small ones (a, b, c) and uppercase letters are the capitals (A, B, C). They matter when you create passwords, as many websites ask for a mix of both to make the password harder to guess. On a keyboard, the Shift key gives you a capital letter, and Caps Lock keeps capitals switched on until you press it again.
Did you know?
The names come from printers, who kept capital letters in the upper drawer of their type case and small ones in the lower.
Mac
Apple's brand name for its desktop and laptop computers, as opposed to a Windows computer. They work in a similar way, but look and feel a little different, and they use different programmes. Many Mac users also have an iPhone, as the two work well together. Macs can run most things you'd need at home, including email, browsing and photos.
Did you know?
Mac is short for Macintosh, and the first one was launched in 1984.
What's the difference?
"Mac" can mean any Apple computer. A MacBook is a laptop, whereas an iMac is a desktop with the computer built into the screen.
Machine Learning
The way AI systems learn from lots of examples rather than being given step-by-step rules for every situation. It's like learning to recognise dogs by seeing many different dogs, rather than being told "a dog has four legs and a tail". It is how your phone learns to suggest words as you type, or how a streaming service guesses what you might like to watch next. See also Artificial Intelligence.
What's the difference?
AI is the broad idea of computers doing tasks that need human thinking, whereas machine learning is one way of getting there, by learning from examples.
Malware / Malicious Software
Harmful software designed to damage your device or steal your information, a bit like a burglar who sneaks in disguised as a delivery. It includes viruses, ransomware, which locks your files until you pay, and spyware, which secretly watches what you do. It usually gets onto devices through unexpected attachments, fake links or dodgy downloads. Keeping your device updated and being wary of unexpected links is the best protection.
What's the difference?
Malware is the umbrella word for any harmful software, whereas a virus is one particular type, which spreads from one device to another.
MB / Megabyte
A measure of file size, smaller than a gigabyte. A typical photo is around 3 to 5MB, and 1,000MB makes up 1GB. It's worth knowing because storage space and mobile data allowances are measured this way. A short email might be a tiny fraction of an MB, while a video can be hundreds. See also GB / Gigabyte.
Medical ID
Information such as your medical conditions, allergies, medication and emergency contacts, which can be seen from your phone's lock screen even when the phone is locked. This means paramedics or others can see it if you are unwell and can't tell them yourself. You set it up once in your phone's Health app (iPhone) or Settings (Android), and you choose what to include.
Be careful
Anyone who picks up your phone can read your Medical ID without unlocking it, so only include what you're comfortable with a stranger seeing in an emergency.
Memory
The short-term working space your device uses while it's switched on and in use, a bit like a desk top, whereas storage is more like a filing cabinet. The more programmes you have open, the more of the desk is covered. If the desk gets too cluttered, your device slows down, and closing things you aren't using can help. Memory is also called RAM.
Messaging App
An app for sending written messages, photos and videos to other people, either one at a time or in groups. Your phone comes with one for ordinary text messages, and you can also use others such as WhatsApp or Messenger, which send over the internet. They work like sending a very quick letter that arrives in seconds. See also Text Message / SMS.
What's the difference?
Ordinary text messages travel over the mobile network, whereas messaging apps such as WhatsApp send over the internet, using Wi-Fi or mobile data.
MFA
See Two-Factor Authentication / Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
Micro-USB
Microchip / Computer Chip
Microsoft 365
A subscription from Microsoft that gives you the Office programmes, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, plus 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage per person. You pay a monthly or yearly fee, rather than buying the programmes once, and in return you always have the latest versions. It used to be called Office 365. If you only need to write the odd letter, free versions of Word and Excel are available in a web browser.
What's the difference?
The programmes are the same Word, Excel and PowerPoint that you may know as "Office". Microsoft 365 is the subscription, which keeps them up to date and adds cloud storage, whereas the one-off Office versions are bought once and not updated with new features.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft's app for video calls, messaging, and file sharing. In 2025 it replaced Skype, which Microsoft has now retired — anyone with an old Skype account can sign into Teams using the same details, and their contacts carry over automatically.
Minimise
Hiding a window on your screen without closing it, so the programme keeps running in the background. It's like putting a book down on your desk rather than putting it back on the shelf. On a Windows computer, you click the dash in the top right-hand corner, and the programme stays on the bar along the bottom of the screen, ready to bring back with one click.
Miracast
Mobile Data
Using your phone's mobile network, rather than Wi-Fi, to get online. It works almost anywhere there is a signal, but it draws on a monthly allowance that is part of your phone contract or plan. Watching videos uses a lot of it, so Wi-Fi is better for those. You can see how much you've used in your phone's settings, and switch it off if you're worried.
Mode
A camera setting for a particular kind of picture, such as Portrait mode, Night mode, or Video. Each is designed to give the best result for that situation. For example, Portrait mode softens the background behind a person, and Night mode brightens photos taken in dim light. You can swipe along the options on the camera screen to change mode, and you can't break anything by trying them.
Money Laundering
Passing money gained through crime through apparently ordinary bank accounts to hide where it came from. Scammers sometimes ask ordinary people to receive money in their account and send it on, perhaps for a small fee. This is a crime and makes you part of it, even if you didn't know. If anyone you haven't met asks you to do this, say no and tell your bank.
Mouse
A small device you move across your desk to control the pointer on a computer screen. You click the buttons on it to select things, and many have a wheel for scrolling. It is not the furry kind. On a laptop, the touchpad below the keyboard does the same job, but many people find a separate mouse more comfortable.
Did you know?
The first mouse was made of wood by an American engineer, Douglas Engelbart, in the 1960s. It got its name because the cable at the back looked like a tail.
Multitasking
Having several apps open at once and switching between them, such as checking a message while a recipe is on screen. Your phone looks after this for you automatically, keeping the apps you left waiting in the background. It's like having several books open on a desk. If your phone starts to feel slow, closing the apps you're not using can help.
MyGP
An app that some GP surgeries use to let patients book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and send messages to the surgery. Not every surgery uses it, so ask yours which app or website it recommends. Many surgeries now use the NHS App instead. See also NHS App and Patient Access.
NFC (Near Field Communication)
A short-range wireless technology that lets two devices talk to each other when they are held very close together. It's what happens when you tap your phone or bank card against a card machine to pay, so there is no need to put in a PIN for small amounts. It only works from a few centimetres away, which is part of what keeps it secure.
Did you know?
The same technology is inside contactless bank cards, many travel cards and some door key fobs, which is why they all work only when held very close.
NHS App
The official free app from the National Health Service, which lets you book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your GP record and use the NHS Number from your phone. It is a safe place to do these things, because it checks that it's really you before it shows anything. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store. If you'd rather not use it, you can still phone or visit your surgery.
NHS Number
Your own unique 10-digit identifier in the NHS, like a membership number for health services. It is found on any letter from your GP or hospital, and in the NHS App. You'll often be asked for it when you set up an online health service. It's worth keeping a note of it somewhere safe, but treat it as private, as you would your bank details.
Be careful
Your NHS Number isn't secret, but scammers can use it to sound convincing. Be careful about who you give it to, and never to someone who phones you out of the blue.
Notification
A short message that pops up on your screen from an app, to tell you that something has happened, such as a new text, an email or an update waiting. It is like a note pushed under your door to say there's something for you. You can tap it to see more, or swipe it away. If they become annoying, you can turn them off for individual apps in your settings.
Notification Badge
The small red circle, with a number inside it, that appears on an app's icon to show how many unread messages or alerts are waiting for you. It is rather like a flag on a post box. Once you've opened the app and read the messages, the number disappears. You can turn badges off in your settings if you find them distracting.
Offline / Online
Online means connected to the internet, and offline means not connected. When you are offline, you can still use things stored on your device, such as your photos, but you can't send emails or look at websites. Some apps let you download things first, such as maps or films, so that you can use them offline, for example on a journey.
OLED
One-Time Passcode (OTP)
A short code, usually six digits, sent to your phone by text or email, which works only once, and for a few minutes. It's used as an extra security check alongside your password, to prove that it's really you logging in. Never read it out to anyone who phones you, however official they sound, as genuine organisations will not ask for it.
OneDrive
Microsoft's cloud storage service, which is included with Windows computers and Microsoft accounts. It keeps copies of your files on Microsoft's computers, a bit like a filing cabinet in the sky, so you can reach them from any device and they are safe if your computer breaks. It comes with 5GB of free storage, or 1TB if you have Microsoft 365. See also Cloud / Cloud Storage.
Online Consultation
Filling in a form on your GP surgery's website or the NHS App to describe a health problem, instead of phoning or visiting in person. The surgery reads it and decides how to help, which might be advice, a prescription, or an appointment. It is not the same as booking an appointment, and it isn't for emergencies, for which you should phone 999 or 111.
Operating System
The main software that runs a device and lets everything else on it work. Windows, Android, iOS and ChromeOS are all operating systems. Think of it as the engine of a car, with your individual apps as the passengers. It has to be kept up to date to keep your device safe, which is why you are sometimes asked to install updates.
Outlook
Microsoft's email service, which is the new name for Hotmail, and also the name of Microsoft's email programme for computers. Addresses ending in @outlook.com automatically come with OneDrive cloud storage. If you have an old Hotmail address, it still works and you don't need to change it. See also Hotmail.
What's the difference?
Outlook.com is the free web email service, whereas Outlook is also the name of Microsoft's email programme for computers, which is part of Microsoft 365. They share a name, but they aren't the same thing.
Padlock Icon 🔒
A small padlock symbol next to a website's address at the top of your browser, which shows that the connection between you and the site is scrambled for privacy. It's a useful sign but not a guarantee, as scam sites can show it too. Always check that the website's address is the one you expect before entering any personal information. See also HTTPS.
Panorama
A very wide photo, usually of a landscape, taken by slowly sweeping your phone across the scene while the camera joins the pictures together. Most phone cameras have a Panorama mode, and an arrow on the screen guides you. It works best if you hold your phone steady and turn smoothly, as people who move around while you take it can come out looking odd.
Passkey
A newer way of logging in to an account using your fingerprint, face or phone PIN instead of typing a password. It is harder for criminals to steal, because there's no password to give away or be tricked into typing on a fake website. More and more companies, such as Google and Microsoft, are offering it. You'll usually be asked if you want to set one up, and can still use your password if you prefer.
Password
A secret word, phrase or set of characters that proves you are you, and keeps your accounts private. It is like the key to a locked door. Your most important passwords, such as for your email and banking, deserve to be strong and different from each other. A good tip is to join three random words together, such as "BlueTeapotGarden".
Did you know?
"123456" and "password" turn up among the most commonly used passwords year after year, which is exactly why they are among the first that criminals try.
Be careful
A password written in a notebook that you keep safely at home is better than using the same password everywhere. Don't keep it on a sticky note on your computer.
Password Manager
A secure tool that remembers all your passwords for you, so that you only need to remember one master password, like a locked diary that holds all your keys. It can also create strong passwords and fill them in for you on websites. Your phone or browser may already have one built in. Whichever you use, make the master password strong, and never share it.
Be careful
Choose a long master password and keep a written copy somewhere safe at home. If you forget it, even the company often can't unlock your passwords.
Patient Access
An online service, used by some GP surgeries, that lets you book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and, in some cases, see parts of your health record. It works on a website or as an app. Not every surgery uses it, as many now use the NHS App, so ask yours which they recommend. See also NHS App.
Patients Know Best (PKB)
A secure online system used by some hospitals to share your health information with you, such as clinic letters, appointments and test results. It means you can see what your hospital has written without waiting for the post. You're given a login by the hospital, and you can also give a family member access if you wish. Not every hospital uses it.
Pattern Recognition
The ability of AI to spot similarities and patterns in large amounts of information, rather like noticing that every letter from a scammer has the same odd wording. It is how an email service learns that certain words and features often mean spam, and how a phone knows a face in a photo. See also Machine Learning.
PC Health Check
A free tool from Microsoft that checks whether your computer is able to run a newer version of Windows, such as Windows 11. It tells you plainly whether it's ready, or what is missing, in words you can follow. It won't change anything on your computer, so there is no harm in running it. See also Installation Assistant.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
A type of file that looks the same on any device, whether it's opened on a computer, phone or tablet, rather like a digital photocopy. It's often used for forms, tickets, bills and official documents. Programmes such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, or your web browser, can open PDFs, and you can usually print or save them. See also File Format.
Did you know?
PDF was created by Adobe in the early 1990s. It became an international standard in 2008, so it is no longer owned by a single company.
Pentium
Phishing
Scam emails, texts or messages that pretend to be from a genuine organisation, such as your bank or the post office, to trick you into giving away personal details or money. The word comes from criminals "fishing" for your details. Warning signs include a sense of urgency, odd spelling and links you weren't expecting. If in doubt, don't click, and contact the organisation using a number you already trust. See also Smishing, Vishing and Quishing.
Did you know?
The word is a play on "fishing", as criminals cast out bait and wait to see who bites. The "ph" spelling is thought to come from "phreaking", an old name for hacking phone systems.
Photo ID
Official identification that has your photograph on it, such as a passport or photocard driving licence. You may be asked to show it when proving who you are, for example when opening an account. Some online services ask you to take a picture of it with your phone, so be sure you are on the genuine company's site before doing so.
PIN
Short for Personal Identification Number. It's a short code, usually four to six digits, used like a password but made up of numbers only. You use one to unlock your phone and to pay with your bank card. Choose one that is hard to guess, so avoid birthdays and "1234", and never share it with anyone, including someone who says they're from your bank.
Did you know?
The first cash machine in the world was installed at a Barclays branch in Enfield, north London, in 1967.
Pinch / Spread
Two finger movements on a touchscreen for zooming. Putting two fingers on the screen and bringing them together (pinch) zooms out, and moving them apart (spread) zooms in. It is like squeezing or stretching a piece of fabric. It's very useful for making small print bigger on a photo, map or web page.
Podcast
A series of audio programmes you can listen to whenever you like, much like a radio show you don't have to be there for. They are usually free, and cover everything from news to history to hobbies. You can find them on apps such as BBC Sounds, Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and download them to listen to without Wi-Fi.
Did you know?
The word was formed in 2004 from "iPod" and "broadcast", although you don't need an iPod, or any Apple device, to listen to one.
Pop-up
A window that suddenly appears on your screen, often an advert or a message. Most are harmless but annoying, but some are designed to trick you, for example by warning that your computer has a virus and asking you to phone a number. Genuine companies don't do this, so close it with the X in the corner and don't call.
Portrait Mode
A camera setting that keeps a person sharp while softly blurring the background behind them, like the photos you see in magazines. It works best when the person stands a little distance in front of whatever is behind them. Most newer phones have it, and you can find it by swiping along the options on the camera screen. See also Mode.
Post
Sharing something, such as a message, photo or video, on social media so that other people can see it. It can also be used as a noun, meaning the item you've shared. Think about who can see a post before you share it, as some are visible to everyone, and you can usually choose to share only with friends.
Power Off
Shutting a device down completely, so that it is properly switched off, and it takes a minute or so to start up again. It's like turning a TV off at the plug rather than leaving it on standby. Switching your device off and on again now and then can fix many small problems.
What's the difference?
Sleep switches the screen off but leaves the device running quietly, restart switches it off and straight back on, and power off turns it off completely until you press the button again.
Predictive Text
A feature on phones and computers that suggests the next word you might want while you are typing, based on what you've written so far and common phrases. You can tap a suggestion instead of typing the whole word, which saves effort, especially on a small keyboard. It sometimes guesses wrong, so check your message before sending it.
Be careful
Predictive text and autocorrect can change a word without you noticing. Read your message through before pressing Send, especially names, dates and numbers.
Premium Bonds
A savings product from NS&I, which is backed by HM Treasury, so your money is safe. Instead of paying you regular interest, each month your bonds go into a prize draw where you could win anything from £25 to £1 million, and the prizes are tax-free. You buy them from £25, and can hold up to £50,000 each. You may not win anything in some months, but you can take your money out whenever you wish.
Be careful
Only buy Premium Bonds through the NS&I website or app, or by phone. Fake websites and adverts pretending to be NS&I exist, so type www.nsandi.com yourself rather than clicking a link.
What's the difference?
With a savings account you are paid interest on your money. With Premium Bonds you may get prizes instead, and some people win nothing in a given year.
Prescription
A doctor's written instruction for the medicine you need, which you take to a pharmacy to collect. A repeat prescription is for medicine you take regularly, so it can be ordered again without seeing the doctor each time. You can usually order these through your GP surgery's website, the NHS App or by phone, and choose a pharmacy to collect from.
Be careful
Be wary of unexpected texts or emails about prescriptions, which can be scams. Use your surgery, the NHS App or your pharmacy instead.
Probate
The legal process of dealing with someone's property, money and belongings after they have died. When you apply for a legal document called a Grant of Probate, it shows banks and others that the executor has the right to deal with the estate. Not every estate needs it, and a fee applies to larger estates. It can take weeks or months, and you can apply online. See also Executor.
Be careful
Be wary of websites that charge extra to apply for probate. You can apply yourself on the official gov.uk site, www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate.
What's the difference?
Probate is the process, and the Grant of Probate is the document that you receive. If there is no will, the paperwork is called a Grant of Letters of Administration.
Processor (CPU / GPU)
The "brain" of a computer, phone or tablet, which carries out all its tasks. It is a tiny electronic chip (also called a microchip or silicon chip), often smaller than a postage stamp, and is often called the CPU, short for Central Processing Unit. Older or slower processors may struggle to run newer software. Different companies make different designs: Intel (Core) and AMD (Ryzen) chips, which use a design called x86, are common in Windows PCs, while ARM chips are used in nearly all phones and tablets, in newer Apple Macs (Apple's own "M" chips, also called Apple silicon) and in some newer Windows laptops. Snapdragon, made by Qualcomm, is a well-known ARM chip name on Android phones and those Windows laptops. ARM chips are known for using less power, so batteries tend to last longer. You don't need to know which you have, though it can matter when a shop assistant or website asks. A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a second, specialist processor that handles pictures, video and games, and is also used to run AI tools. Most everyday computers and phones have a GPU built in, so a separate one is only needed for demanding games or video editing. For the chip on a bank card, see Chip / Chip and PIN.
What's the difference?
The processor is the brain that does the thinking, memory is the desk where it works on things at the moment, and storage is the filing cabinet where everything is kept.
Profile
The information about you that is kept in an account, such as your name, a photo and perhaps a few details about yourself. On social media, it's the page other people see when they look you up, so check what it shows. You can usually change the settings so that only friends see your details.
Prompt
The instruction or question you give to an AI chatbot, for example "Write a short thank you note to my neighbour". The more detail you give, the better the result tends to be, so say who it's for and how long you'd like it. If the answer isn't right, you can type another prompt to ask it to change it. See also Generative AI.
Proxy Access
Officially allowing a trusted person, such as a family member or carer, to use health services on your behalf, for example to book appointments or order prescriptions. It is arranged through your GP surgery, so you never need to share your own password. This keeps your records private while still letting someone you trust help.
Public Wi-Fi
Wireless internet offered in public places such as cafés, libraries and airports, often free. It's less secure than your home Wi-Fi, because other people are using the same connection. It's fine for reading the news, but avoid logging in to your bank or entering card details on it. Mobile data is a safer choice for those.
Pwned
A slang word, usually said "poned", for an account or password that has been exposed or taken over by criminals, usually after a company has been hacked. If an email address is listed as "pwned" on a site such as Have I Been Pwned, its details have turned up in a data breach. It doesn't mean your computer has a problem. Change the password for that account, and for anywhere else you used the same one. See also Data Breach and Password Manager.
QR Code
A square, black-and-white patterned box that holds a web address or other information. Point your phone's camera at one, and a link appears on the screen for you to tap, with no typing needed. You'll see them on posters, menus and parking signs. Take care with ones stuck on top of other signs or sent unexpectedly, as scammers use them to take you to fake sites.
Did you know?
QR stands for "quick response". It was invented in Japan in 1994 to track car parts in a factory, long before anyone used one to look at a restaurant menu.
Quick Settings
A panel of shortcuts to the settings you use most, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the torch and flight mode, which you open by swiping down from the top of your screen. Each shortcut works like a light switch: tap it to turn the feature on, and tap again to turn it off. It saves you going into the full Settings each time. Where the panel appears can vary a little between phones.
Quishing
A scam that uses a QR code, from "QR" and "phishing". Criminals stick a fake QR code over a real one, for example on a car park payment machine, or send one in an email or letter. When you scan it, it takes you to a fake website that asks for your card details or passwords. Before you scan, check that the code hasn't been stuck on top of another, and when your phone shows the web address, read it carefully. If in doubt, use the official app or website instead, or ask someone to help. See also QR Code and Phishing.
RAM
The short-term memory a computer or phone uses while it's switched on, a bit like a kitchen worktop. The more space you have, the more you can comfortably do at once, such as having several programmes open. When the worktop is full, everything slows down. It is different from storage, which is where your files are kept when the power is off. See also Memory.
Ransomware
A type of harmful software that locks your files and demands money to unlock them, like a thief who changes the locks on your house and asks for payment to give you the new key. It usually arrives through an unexpected email attachment or a dodgy link. Keeping a backup of your photos and documents on a separate device means you could recover them without paying. See also Malware / Malicious Software.
RapidHealth
An online service used by some GP surgeries that lets you describe a health problem on a website and have it reviewed by the surgery, without phoning first. It's one of several similar systems, and your surgery will tell you if it uses it. If you aren't comfortable with online forms, you can still phone or visit your surgery. See also Online Consultation.
Read Receipts
A feature in messaging apps that lets the sender see when you've read their message, often shown as a tick or the word "Read". Some people like it, and others find it a bit of a pressure. Most apps let you switch it off in the settings if you would rather keep this private, although you then can't see when other people have read yours either.
Refresh
Reloading a web page to see the latest version, like asking for a fresh copy of the newspaper. It is worth doing if a page looks out of date, such as the news or a train times page, or if it hasn't loaded properly. On most browsers, you tap or click the circular arrow beside the web address.
Refurbished
A second-hand device that has been cleaned, checked, repaired where needed and restored to full working order before being sold again, like a renovated house that's ready to move straight into. It's often much cheaper than buying new, and also better for the environment. Look for a seller who gives a warranty, and see how the device is graded. See also Grade A / B / C.
What's the difference?
Second-hand means something has been used and sold on as it is, whereas refurbished means it has also been tested, repaired if needed and cleaned. Ask for a warranty either way.
Repeat Prescription
See Prescription.
Retargeting
When looking at a product online leads to you seeing adverts for that product, or similar ones, on other websites afterwards. It can feel as if the internet is following you around, which is what is happening, as websites use small files called cookies to remember what you looked at. It is not harmful, and you can limit it in your browser's privacy settings.
Reverse Image Search
A way of checking whether a photo has been used elsewhere on the internet, by uploading it to a tool such as Google Images or Google Lens, instead of describing it in words. It is useful for checking whether a profile picture belongs to someone else, which can show up a fake profile. If the same picture appears under several different names, be suspicious. See also Romance Scam.
Roaming
Using your phone abroad, where it connects to a foreign mobile network. This can be expensive for calls, texts and data, depending on your provider and plan, and in some places the charges can mount up quickly. Check with your provider before you travel, and consider using hotel Wi-Fi instead of mobile data. You can switch data roaming off in your phone's settings to avoid surprise bills.
Romance Scam
When criminals create fake online profiles to begin a relationship with someone, then slowly build trust, and eventually ask for money or personal details. They often claim to be working abroad or in the forces, and have an emergency needing help. Never send money to someone you've not met in person, however much you care for them. If you're worried, talk to a friend or your bank.
Rotate
Turning a photo or a screen around, for example from upright to sideways. If a photo appears the wrong way up, you can open it, choose Edit, and then tap the rotate symbol until it's right. Phones can also turn the screen automatically when you tip them sideways, which is useful for watching videos.
Router
The box that provides Wi-Fi in your home, usually sitting near your phone line or cable socket and often showing small flashing lights. It's like a postal sorting office: it takes the internet coming into your home and shares it out to all your devices. If your internet stops working, switching the router off and on again is the first thing to try. See also Wi-Fi.
Be careful
Anyone who knows your Wi-Fi password can use your connection, so share it only with people you trust. Many routers have a separate "guest network" for visitors.
What's the difference?
A router shares your internet around the home. Some providers call theirs a "hub", and it often includes the modem, which connects to the phone line or cable, in the same box.
Samsung Cloud
Samsung's cloud storage service for people with Samsung phones, which keeps a copy of things such as photos, contacts and settings on Samsung's computers. It works a bit like a filing cabinet in the sky, so that your information is safe if your phone is lost or breaks. It comes with 5GB of free storage. See also Cloud / Cloud Storage.
Satellite View
A photograph-style view of a place taken from satellites in space, which you can switch on in Google Maps or Google Earth. It's like looking down on your town from an aeroplane, so you can see roofs, trees and roads. It is useful for seeing what a place looks like before you visit it. In Google Maps, tap the layers button to turn it on.
Save
Keeping something safe so you can come back to it later, whether a document, a photo or a website address. If you don't save, your work may be lost when you close the programme or switch off. Look for a symbol that looks like a small floppy disk, or the word Save. It's a good habit to save as you go along.
Did you know?
The Save symbol is a picture of a floppy disk, an old way of storing files that computers stopped using years ago. Many people who click it have never seen a real one.
Scam / Fraud
A dishonest attempt to trick you out of money, personal details or access to your accounts. It might come by phone, email, text, post, or in person on the doorstep. Scammers often make things seem urgent to stop you thinking. If something feels wrong, stop, take your time and talk to someone you trust. See also Phishing.
Screen Mirroring
Screen Reader
An accessibility feature that reads out loud what's on your screen, which helps anyone who finds it hard to see small print. It's called VoiceOver on iPhones and TalkBack on Android phones, and both are free and built in. You touch an item once to hear it described, and double-tap to open it. It takes a little time to get used to, and you can switch it off again.
Screen Recording
Making a video of everything that is happening on your screen, a bit like filming over your own shoulder. It's useful for showing someone else exactly what you did, or for getting help with a problem, as they can watch what went wrong. Most phones have it built in, and it can be found in Quick Settings. The recording includes anything private that appears on screen, so be careful what you share.
Screen Sharing
Showing what is on your screen to other people, either on a TV (see Cast (Screen Mirroring / AirPlay / Chromecast)) or to everyone on a video call (see Video Call).
Be careful
Never share your screen with someone who phones you unexpectedly, even if they say they are from your bank or internet provider. They could see your accounts, and "remote support" scams often start this way.
What's the difference?
Screen sharing lets other people see your screen, whereas remote access lets them take control of your computer, which carries more risk. Only allow either with someone you know and trust.
Screen Timeout
How long your screen stays lit before it goes dark by itself to save battery. If it keeps switching off before you've finished reading, you can make the time longer in your phone's Display settings. Having it set longer uses more battery, so choose what suits you. Your phone will then need to be unlocked again.
Screenshot
A photo of exactly what's on your screen at that moment, which is kept in your photos. It's useful for saving a ticket, a map, or an error message to show someone. How you take one varies by phone, but it is usually done by pressing two buttons at the same time, so they are often taken by accident. You can delete any you don't want.
Be careful
A screenshot is kept in your photos, so delete any that show passwords, bank details or other private information once you've finished with them.
Scroll
Moving up and down a page to see more of it, like unrolling a long scroll of paper. On a computer, you can use the mouse wheel or the bar on the right of the window, and on a phone, you swipe your finger up or down the screen. When you scroll through social media, new posts keep appearing, so time can slip by without you noticing.
Search Bar
The box where you type what you're looking for, at the top of a browser or on a website. You can type a question or a few key words and press Enter. In many browsers, the search bar and the web address bar are the same box. If you type a web address into the wrong one, you will see search results instead of the website.
Search Engine
A website that helps you find things online, a bit like a librarian who knows where everything is. You type in a few words, and it gives you a list of pages that may help. Google is the most widely used, and others include Bing and DuckDuckGo. Results at the top marked "Ad" or "Sponsored" are adverts, so look carefully before clicking.
Secure
Safe and protected from others who might want to see or take your information. On a website, a padlock symbol next to the address shows that the connection is protected. The word is also used for a safe password or a safe Wi-Fi connection. Remember that a padlock doesn't prove a site is trustworthy. See also Padlock Icon and HTTPS.
Security Question
A personal question, such as "What was your first pet's name?", which a website asks to check it's really you if you forget your password. The trouble is that other people can sometimes find the answers from social media or family. Where you can, give an answer only you would know, or an answer that is not the true one, and keep a note of it somewhere safe.
Security Update / Software Update
New software sent out by a company to fix problems and improve safety, like a locksmith regularly checking and strengthening your locks. Updates arrive on phones, computers and apps, and installing them keeps criminals from using known weak spots. Your device will usually tell you when one is ready, and it's best to do it when you're on Wi-Fi with a good amount of battery.
Select / Highlight
Choosing a piece of text or an item so you can do something with it, such as copy it or change its size. On a computer, you hold down the left mouse button and drag over the words, and they turn coloured. On a phone, you press and hold a word, then drag the handles. It's like marking a passage with a highlighter pen.
Selfie
A photo you take of yourself, usually holding the phone at arm's length and using the front camera. Selfies are popular for sharing with family and friends. You can see yourself on the screen before you press the button, which helps. It's also fine to ask someone else to take a photo of you.
Did you know?
Oxford Dictionaries chose "selfie" as its Word of the Year in 2013, after its use had risen sharply that year.
Server
A powerful computer, kept in a building called a data centre, which stores files and websites for many people and is designed to run all day and night. When you save a photo to the cloud, it is stored on a server. Think of it as a very large, very well-guarded warehouse for other people's files. You'll never need to see one, but it's what makes the cloud work. See also Cloud / Cloud Storage.
Settings
The control panel for your device or an app, where you can change how it works. You might use it to make the text larger, change the ringtone, or connect to Wi-Fi. On a phone, look for an icon that looks like a cog. You can't break anything by looking around, and most changes can be changed back.
Share
Sending a photo or file to other people, or posting it somewhere they can see it. On a phone, you'll usually find a Share button, often an arrow or three linked dots, which gives a list of ways to send it, such as by email or message. Showing your screen to someone is called screen sharing. See also Screen Sharing.
Shared Album
A photo album that several people, such as family members, can all look at and add to. When someone adds a picture, it appears on everyone's phone automatically, without anything needing to be sent. It's a good way for relatives to gather photos from a holiday or a family party in one place. You choose who is invited. See also Album.
Sign Up / Register
Creating a new account on a website or in an app, usually by giving your name, email address and a password. It's like joining a library and being given a membership card. Only give what is really needed, and use a strong password that is different from your others. Be wary of any site asking for more than seems sensible. See also Log In / Log Out.
Signal
The strength of the connection between your phone and the mobile network, shown as bars at the top of the screen. More bars means a stronger connection. In some places, such as rural areas and inside large buildings, there may be little or none, and moving to a window or going outside can help. It can also refer to the Wi-Fi strength.
What's the difference?
Here "signal" means how strong your phone's connection is. Signal is also the name of a popular messaging app, which has nothing to do with reception.
Silent / Vibrate Mode
A setting that stops your phone ringing out loud for calls and messages. In vibrate mode, it buzzes quietly instead, and in silent mode it makes no noise at all. Many phones have a small switch on the side for this, and others use the volume buttons or Settings. It is handy in meetings, cinemas and church, but remember to switch it off, or you might miss a call.
SIM Card
A small card inside your phone that identifies you to the mobile network, so you can make calls, send texts and use mobile data. It carries your phone number, and works a bit like a membership card for the network. If you change phones, you can often move the SIM to the new one. Newer phones may use an eSIM, which is a digital version built into the phone, with no physical card.
Did you know?
SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module, which is a long way of saying it identifies you to the network.
Be careful
If your phone suddenly loses signal when it shouldn't, contact your provider straight away. Criminals sometimes persuade a provider to move a person's number to a new SIM, known as SIM swapping, so they can reach the person's accounts.
Siri
Apple's built-in voice assistant on iPhones and iPads. You can hold the side button, or say "Hey Siri", and then ask it a question, set a reminder or send a message by speaking, which is useful if typing is difficult. It takes a little practice to know how best to word things, so try short, clear requests. You can switch it off in Settings if you would rather not use it.
Did you know?
Siri first arrived on the iPhone 4S in 2011, and its name was chosen by the company that made it before Apple bought it.
Sleep Mode
Pressing the side button once, so the screen goes dark and locks while the phone carries on running quietly in the background, like having a nap. Press the button again to wake it. This is different from switching the phone off completely, and it means that calls and messages still reach you. Your phone does this automatically after a while, too.
Smart View
Smartphone
A mobile phone that can do far more than make calls. It takes photos, goes online, sends messages, plays music, shows maps and runs thousands of apps, all through a touchscreen. It's rather like a small computer that fits in your pocket. iPhones and Android phones are the two main kinds. You can still use it for calls and texts alone if that is all you want.
Smishing
A scam text message, from "SMS" (the technical name for a text) and "phishing". It might claim a parcel is waiting for you, that your bank has noticed something odd, or that you're owed a refund, and it asks you to tap a link or call a number. The link leads to a fake website that tries to collect your details. Don't tap links in unexpected texts, even if they appear to come from a company you know. You can forward the message to 7726 for free to report it. See also Phishing and Text Message / SMS.
Snapdragon
Social Media
Websites and apps where people share news, photos and messages, and keep in touch with friends, family and groups. Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok are examples. It can be a lovely way to see what the grandchildren are up to or to join a local group. You choose what you share and who sees it, and you don't have to join any of them.
Software
The programmes and apps that tell a computer, phone or tablet what to do, as opposed to the physical equipment, which is called hardware. The equipment is like a DVD player, and the software is like the film that you put in it. Windows, Android, Word and your email app are all software. It can be updated to fix problems and add new features. See also Hardware and Operating System.
Spam
Unwanted emails or messages, usually sent in huge numbers, often advertising things or trying to trick you. It's digital junk mail. Most email services collect it in a Spam or Junk folder automatically. Don't reply to it or click on its links, even to unsubscribe from something you don't recognise, and delete it. See also Phishing.
Did you know?
The word comes from a famous Monty Python sketch in which the word "Spam", a tinned meat, is repeated over and over. Endless unwanted emails reminded people of it.
Spam Call Blocking
A feature on your phone, or an app, that recognises calls likely to be scams or unwanted sales calls and either blocks them or silences them. It works a bit like a doorman who turns away unwelcome callers. Many phones have it built in, and your phone provider may offer a similar service. It won't catch every call, so remain cautious if an unknown number rings.
Special Characters
Symbols that are not letters or numbers, such as ! @ # $ % & * ( ) - _ = +. Websites often ask for at least one in a password to make it harder to guess. On a phone keyboard, tap the key marked "?123" or "123" to find them. A long password of three random words is still a strong choice, even without special characters.
SSD / Hard Drive (HDD)
The part inside your computer where everything is stored permanently, including your photos, documents and programmes, so it is still there when you switch off. There are two kinds. A hard drive (HDD) stores information on spinning discs, rather like a tiny record player; it holds a lot for the price, but is slower, can be noisy, and can be damaged if the computer is knocked. An SSD (solid state drive) has no moving parts, so it is much faster, quieter and tougher, and your computer starts up and opens programmes more quickly, though it costs more for the same amount of space. Most newer computers have an SSD, and swapping an old hard drive for an SSD can make an older PC feel much faster. Not to be confused with Memory, which is the short-term working space. See also Storage and External Hard Drive.
Storage
The space on a device where your files, photos, apps and messages are kept, even when the power is off, like a filing cabinet or cupboard, whereas memory (RAM) is more like a desk. When storage is full, you may not be able to take new photos or install updates. You can check how much you have left in your Settings, and free up space by deleting things you no longer need. See also SSD / Hard Drive (HDD).
Straighten
Making a crooked or wonky photo level, such as a horizon that slopes. In your phone's photo editing tools, there's a Straighten option that lets you turn a dial to tilt the picture until it looks right. Grid lines on the camera screen can help you take straight photos in the first place. See also Grid Lines.
Stream / Streaming
Watching or listening to something over the internet as it arrives, rather than downloading it all first, a bit like a tap running rather than filling a bucket. Services such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Spotify do this. It uses a lot of data, so Wi-Fi is better than mobile data. It has nothing to do with a babbling brook.
Street View
A feature of Google Maps that shows photographs taken at street level, so you can look around as if you were standing there and "walk" along almost any road in the world. It is handy for checking what a place looks like before you visit, or for finding the entrance to a building. To use it, drag the little yellow person onto a road, or tap a blue line on the map.
Did you know?
Google launched Street View in 2007 in a handful of American cities. The cars that take the pictures have a camera on a pole on the roof.
Subscription
A regular payment, usually monthly or yearly, that keeps a service going for as long as you keep paying, much like a magazine subscription. Streaming services, Microsoft 365 and some apps work this way. Many renew automatically, so make a note of the date and cancel if you no longer use it. Check your bank statement now and then to see what you're paying for.
Be careful
Free trials that ask for your card details usually start charging when the trial ends. Put a reminder in your diary to cancel if you don't want to carry on.
Surfing
Another word for browsing the internet, moving from page to page to see what you find. No waves or board needed. It comes from the idea of riding along the web, and is a slightly old-fashioned term now. You might also hear "browsing" or "scrolling", which mean much the same thing.
Swipe
Sliding your finger across the screen in one direction without lifting it, rather like wiping across a table. You swipe to move between pages, to scroll through photos, or to dismiss a notification. A swipe is different from a tap, which is a quick touch, and from a long press, which is touching and holding. See also Gesture.
Sync / Syncing
When a device automatically updates information, such as contacts, photos, notes or files, so it stays the same across all your devices. If you add a contact on your phone, it also appears on your tablet. The word is short for "synchronising", which means making things match. It usually happens in the background through your cloud account, and needs an internet connection. See also Cloud / Cloud Storage.
What's the difference?
Syncing keeps your devices matching, so deleting something on one deletes it everywhere. A backup is a separate copy that stays safe even if you delete the original.
SystmOnline
An online service used by some GP surgeries, where you can order repeat prescriptions, book appointments and see parts of your health record. It's made by a company called TPP, which also makes the Airmid app. Not every surgery uses it, as many now use the NHS App. Your surgery can tell you which they use. See also NHS App.
Tab
A separate page open within your web browser, a bit like having several books open on your desk, with tabs sticking out of the tops so you can switch between them. Each tab shows a small title across the top. You can open a new one by clicking the plus sign, and close one with the X. Having too many open can slow your computer down.
Tablet
A flat, touchscreen computer, larger than a phone but lighter than a laptop, which is good for reading, video calls, photos and browsing. Examples include iPads and Android tablets. Many people like them for the bigger screen, which makes things easier to read. It is not something you take for a headache.
Tag / Tagging
Linking a person's name to a photo or post on social media, which usually sends them a notification and can show the photo on their own profile as well. It's a way of saying "this is you". If you'd rather not be tagged, you can change your privacy settings to approve tags first, or ask a friend to remove one.
Tap
Touching the screen briefly with one finger and then lifting it off, like pressing a button. It's the main way of choosing things on a phone or tablet, such as opening an app or pressing Send. If nothing happens, try tapping a little more firmly or in the middle of the button. Tapping twice quickly is called a double tap.
Tap to Pay / Contactless Payment
Paying by holding your phone, watch or bank card near a payment machine, instead of putting the card in and typing a PIN. It uses the same technology as NFC. There is a limit on each contactless payment, and sometimes you'll be asked for a PIN as a check. On a phone, you may need to unlock it first, which adds extra protection. See also NFC (Near Field Communication).
Did you know?
In the UK, a single contactless card payment is limited to £100, and your bank may occasionally ask for your PIN as a check. Payments with a phone or watch usually have no such limit because you unlock the device first.
TB (Terabyte)
A very large measure of storage space; 1TB equals 1,000GB, which is enough for hundreds of thousands of photos. You'll see it on larger hard drives, and on cloud storage plans such as Microsoft 365, which includes 1TB of OneDrive. Most people will never come close to filling it. See also GB / Gigabyte.
Test Results
The outcome of medical tests, such as blood tests and scans, which you can often see online in the NHS App once they are ready, so there's no need to wait for a phone call. A result may appear before your doctor has had a chance to talk to you about it, so if anything worries you, contact your surgery. Not every test is shown online.
Text Message / SMS
A short written message sent from one phone to another, which appears in your phone's messaging app. The letters SMS stand for Short Message Service. Texts usually use your phone plan's allowance, although many plans now include unlimited texts. Scammers also send texts, so don't tap links from numbers you don't know. See also Messaging App.
Did you know?
The first text message was sent in December 1992 by an engineer in Berkshire, and it said "Merry Christmas".
Thunderbolt
A very fast type of connection found on some laptops and Macs. It uses the same small oval plug as USB-C, but can move large amounts of information much more quickly, which is useful for fast external drives and high-quality monitors. A Thunderbolt socket also works with ordinary USB-C items, but a plain USB-C socket won't do everything Thunderbolt can. Look for a small lightning-bolt symbol next to the socket. Most people never need it. See also USB (USB-A / USB-C / Micro-USB).
Torch (Flashlight)
The bright light on the back of your phone, which you can use like a torch. You switch it on from Quick Settings or from the lock screen, with a torch symbol. It's useful for finding things in the dark or reading a menu. It uses battery, so remember to turn it off. In some countries it's called a flashlight.
Touchscreen
A screen you control by touching it with your finger, rather than with buttons or a mouse. Phones, tablets and some laptops have them. You tap, swipe and pinch to do things. It can take a little practice, but you can't break anything by touching. For the kinds of screen, see LCD / OLED (Screen Types).
Translate
Changing words or text from one language into another. Phone apps such as Google Translate can do this by typing, speaking, or pointing the camera at a sign or menu. They are very helpful when travelling. They are not always perfect, particularly for longer or more complicated sentences, so check anything important.
Tweet
A short message posted on the social media site Twitter, which is now called X. The name came from the sound a bird makes, and the bird was also the site's logo. A tweet is now properly called a post. You can read tweets without having an account, but you need one to write your own.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA / 2SA) / Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) / Two-Step Verification
An extra security step when logging in. After typing your password, you also give one or more further pieces of information, such as a code sent to your phone. It's like needing both a key and a PIN to open a safe. "Two-factor" and "MFA" mean much the same thing in everyday use; MFA covers systems that may ask for more than one extra step. Even if someone knew your password, they couldn't get in without your phone too.
Be careful
Never read a security code out to anyone who contacts you, even if they say they are from your bank or the company involved. A genuine organisation will never ask for it, and scammers use it to get into your account.
Undo
Reversing the last thing you did, such as deleting a word by mistake. It's like having a rubber at the end of your pencil. On a computer, you press the Ctrl and Z keys together, and on many phones there's an undo arrow or you can shake the phone. It works for most things, but not everything, such as emptying a bin.
What's the difference?
Undo takes back your last action, and Redo puts it back again if you change your mind. On a Windows computer, Redo is Ctrl and Y together.
Uninstall
Removing an app completely from a device to free up space, like clearing out a cupboard. Any account or information linked to it is usually kept online, so installing it again later does not lose anything. On a phone, you press and hold the app's icon and choose Remove or Uninstall. You can't break your phone by removing an app you downloaded yourself.
What's the difference?
On an iPhone, "Remove from Home Screen" only hides the app, which stays on the phone, whereas "Delete App" takes it off completely. On most Android phones, "Uninstall" removes it.
Unlock
Using a fingerprint, your face or a passcode to get past the lock screen and into your phone, like using a key to open the front door. This keeps your information private if the phone is lost or picked up by someone else. If you forget your passcode, don't keep guessing, as the phone may lock you out for a time.
Update
Installing the latest version of an app or operating system, which fixes problems, improves security and sometimes adds new features. It's a bit like a car service. Updates often happen automatically overnight when your device is on Wi-Fi and charging. If you are asked to update, it is generally a good idea, but make sure the request really comes from your device and not from a pop-up on a website.
Upload
Sending something from your device to the internet, such as putting a photo on Facebook or a document into cloud storage. It's the opposite of download. For example, when you attach a photo to an email and send it, you are uploading it. Large uploads can take a while on slower connections. See also Download.
URL
The address of a website, shown in your browser's address bar, for example www.spirecomputerhelp.co.uk. The letters stand for Uniform Resource Locator, though you never need to remember that. It works like a postal address for a web page. Always check the URL looks right before you enter any personal details.
What's the difference?
A URL is the address itself, whereas a link is something you click or tap that takes you to a URL. Links often show a friendly name, so the address behind them can look different.
USB (USB-A / USB-C / Micro-USB)
The standard socket and plug for connecting things to computers, phones and chargers, such as keyboards, mice, printers, memory sticks, external drives and charging cables. The plugs come in several shapes. USB-A is the familiar flat rectangle on computers, chargers and memory sticks. It fits only one way round, which is why it so often seems not to fit the first time. USB-C is a small oval plug that fits either way up, and is now used on newer phones (including iPhones from the iPhone 15), tablets and laptops for charging, transferring files and sometimes carrying video. Micro-USB is a small, flat-sided plug found on older Android phones and some gadgets. USB-B is a squarer plug found on some printers. Lightning is Apple's older charging plug, found on older iPhones and iPads. Cables that look the same can work differently: some cheaper cables only charge and cannot move files or carry video, and a USB 3 socket (often blue inside) is faster than an older one. See also USB Stick / USB Drive / Flash Drive, Thunderbolt and Charging.
USB Stick / USB Drive / Flash Drive
A small device that plugs into a computer's USB socket to store or move files, and is small enough to carry in your pocket or on a key ring. It's handy for copying photos or documents from one computer to another, or for keeping a spare copy. They are often lost, so don't keep anything private on one without protecting it. See also USB (USB-A / USB-C / Micro-USB).
USB-C
Username
The name you use to log in to an account, often your email address. Together with your password, it proves who you are. Unlike your password, a username is not a secret, but keep a note of it, because you will often need it to get back into an account. See also Password.
VGA
Vibrance / Vivid
A photo-editing control that boosts how strong the colours in a picture look, such as making a blue sky bluer. A small amount can make a dull photo look brighter, but too much looks unnatural. You'll find it in the editing options of your phone's photo app, and you can always undo it. See also Undo.
Video Appointment
A health appointment that takes place on a screen, like a video call, rather than in person, so you can speak to your doctor from home. It is always optional, and phone and face-to-face appointments are still available. Your surgery will send you a link, and you may need to try it out on your phone or computer beforehand. See also Video Call.
Video Call
A call where you can see (as well as hear) the other person through the camera on a phone, tablet or computer. Common ways to do it: WhatsApp (free, on your phone, popular with family and friends); FaceTime (Apple's own, for iPhones, iPads and Macs); Zoom (widely used for clubs, classes and appointments — you can usually join just by clicking a link, and the free version limits longer group calls); Microsoft Teams (often used by workplaces and community groups; it replaced Skype); and Google Meet (Google's, which works in a web browser and can be joined from a link). They all do the same basic job, so you only need to learn whichever one the person you're calling uses.
Virus
Harmful software that can damage a device, steal information, or spread to other computers, rather like a cold virus passing from person to person. It usually arrives through an unexpected email attachment, a dodgy download or a fake link. Keeping your device updated and not opening things you weren't expecting is the best protection. Windows and Macs have built-in protection that works quietly in the background. See also Malware / Malicious Software.
What's the difference?
People often say "virus" for any harmful programme, but a virus is strictly one kind of malware. Others include ransomware and spyware, so you may hear several words for the same worry.
Vishing
A scam phone call, from "voice" and "phishing". The caller pretends to be from your bank, the police, your internet provider or a well-known company, and tries to hurry you into giving personal details, handing over money or moving it to a "safe account". Real banks and the police never ask you to do this. If you're unsure, hang up, wait a few minutes, and then phone your bank on 159 or the number on the back of your card. See also Phishing and Scam / Fraud.
Voice Assistant
Software that responds when you speak to it, so you can ask questions, set reminders or timers, play music or control other devices without typing, which is helpful if typing or reading small print is difficult. It may be built into your phone or a smart speaker. Alexa, Bixby, Google Assistant and Siri are the ones you're most likely to meet, and each has its own entry in this glossary.
Be careful
Smart speakers listen for their waking word, such as "Alexa", so they are never entirely quiet. Most have a mute button, and you can look through and delete what they have recorded in the app settings.
Voice Recognition
Technology that understands spoken words and turns them into text or actions. It's what lets a voice assistant know what you've asked, and lets you dictate a message by speaking instead of typing. It works better in a quiet room, and if you speak clearly at a natural pace. It does make mistakes, so check your message before you send it.
Voicemail
A recorded message left by a caller when you don't answer, which you can listen to later, like an answering machine that is built into your phone. Your phone may show a small symbol when you have a new one, and you listen by dialling a number or tapping the voicemail button. Some phones also write out the message in words. Scammers also leave voicemails, so be careful about returning calls to numbers you don't know.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A service that sends your internet connection through another location, making it harder for others to see what you're doing online, like putting your letters in a plain envelope before they go through the post. It's often used on public Wi-Fi for extra privacy, or to make it appear that you're browsing from another country. You don't need one for everyday home use. Some free VPNs aren't trustworthy, so choose carefully if you decide to use one.
Be careful
A VPN doesn't protect you from scams or viruses, so you still need to think before clicking links and opening attachments. Be wary of adverts that make it sound like a complete shield.
Warranty
A promise from a seller or maker to repair or replace something if it goes wrong within a set period, for example a year. It is worth looking for one when buying a new or second-hand device. Keep your receipt, as you may need it to make a claim. A warranty usually doesn't cover damage you've caused, such as dropping your phone.
What's the difference?
A warranty is an extra promise from the maker or seller. Your legal rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 still apply as well, even if the warranty has run out.
Webpage
A single page on a website, like one page in a book, where the whole website is the book. You reach a webpage by typing its address in a browser, clicking a link or choosing a search result. A website can have a handful of pages or thousands. See also Website and Link / Hyperlink.
Website
A collection of connected pages on the internet that belongs to one organisation or person, like a book with many pages. You get to a website by typing its address, which often begins with www, into your browser, or by searching for it. Examples are the BBC and the NHS. See also URL and Search Engine.
What's the difference?
A website is opened in your browser, whereas an app is installed on your device. Many shops and banks offer both, and you only need to use whichever you find more comfortable.
WhatsApp
A free app for sending messages, photos and videos, and for making voice and video calls over the internet, to one person or a whole group. It's very popular with families, clubs and friends, and it works anywhere in the world where you have Wi-Fi or mobile data. It uses your phone number to sign you up, so you don't need a separate account. Be wary of unexpected messages asking for money, even if they seem to come from someone you know.
Did you know?
WhatsApp is owned by Meta, the same company as Facebook and Instagram, although you don't need an account on either to use it.
Be careful
Watch for the "Hi Mum" or "Hi Dad" scam, where a message from an unknown number claims to be your child with a new phone and asks for money. Phone your child on their usual number before you do anything.
Wi-Fi / WiFi
A wireless way to connect to the internet without plugging in a cable. At home, a box called a router sends out the signal, and your devices pick it up, rather like a radio. It's often free in cafés, libraries and shops, and using it doesn't use up your mobile data allowance. At home, you need the Wi-Fi name and password, which are often printed on the router. See also Router.
Did you know?
Wi-Fi doesn't stand for anything. The popular idea that it means "Wireless Fidelity" is a myth, and it was a catchy name chosen for the technology.
Be careful
Take care on public Wi-Fi in cafés and hotels. It's fine for browsing, but avoid online banking or shopping there, and use your mobile data for those instead.
What's the difference?
Wi-Fi connects you through a router to your broadband, whereas mobile data uses the phone network and counts towards your plan's allowance.
Wi-Fi Calling
Making and receiving phone calls and texts over your home Wi-Fi rather than the mobile network. It's useful if you have a weak mobile signal at home but good broadband. It uses your normal phone number, so there is nothing new to learn, and it is usually included in your phone plan at no extra cost. You switch it on in your phone's settings, and check with your provider if you are unsure.
Widget
A small version of an app that sits on your home screen and shows information without you having to open the app, like a small window into it. For example, a weather widget shows today's forecast, and a clock widget shows the time. You can add them by pressing and holding an empty part of your home screen. You don't need any, and they can be removed if you don't like them.
Windows (Microsoft Windows)
The operating system that runs most home computers, made by Microsoft. It is the main programme that lets everything else on the computer work, like Android on phones. You will see windows (boxes) on the screen, which is how it got its name. The current version is Windows 11; Windows 10 is older and no longer gets free regular updates. See also Operating System.
Be careful
Microsoft ended regular free support for Windows 10 in October 2025, which means it no longer gets free security updates. If you still use it, come to a drop-in session and we can talk through your options.
Windows Update
The part of Windows that checks for and installs the latest fixes and improvements, usually working quietly in the background. It keeps your computer safe from known weak spots. Sometimes it asks you to restart the computer to finish, so pick a convenient time rather than putting it off for weeks. To check it, open Settings and look for Windows Update. See also Security Update / Software Update.
Wireless Charging
Charging your phone by placing it on a special pad or stand, instead of plugging in a cable. It only works with phones that support it, which includes most recent iPhones and many Android phones, usually using a standard called Qi (said "chee"). It is often a little slower than a cable, and a thick case can get in the way, and the pad itself still has to be plugged into the mains.
World Wide Web (WWW) / The Web
The huge collection of websites and pages that you reach using a web browser. It's what most people mean when they say "the internet", although strictly the internet is the network that carries it, as the roads carry the traffic. The "web" in the name comes from the idea of pages linked together like a spider's web, but spiders had nothing to do with creating it. See also Internet.
Did you know?
The web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist working at CERN in Switzerland, who proposed it in 1989. The first website went live in 1991.
x86
The name of the chip design used by Intel and AMD processors in most Windows PCs. ARM chips, found in phones, tablets and newer Macs, use a different design. This matters because a programme made for one design may not run on the other, although modern Windows PCs and Macs can usually cope with this in the background. You rarely need to know it, but it can crop up on download pages, where you may see "x64", "x86" or "ARM64". Most Windows PCs need the "x64" version; ask for help if you are unsure. See also Processor (CPU / GPU) and Intel (Core / Celeron / Pentium).
YouTube
Google's free video website and app, with the world's biggest collection of online videos. You can find almost anything on it, from music and news to how-to guides and old television clips. You don't need an account to watch, but you do to leave comments or save videos. Free videos include adverts, and there's a paid option to remove them. See also Stream / Streaming.
Did you know?
The first video on YouTube was uploaded in April 2005 and is called "Me at the zoo". It lasts under 20 seconds.
Zoom
Two meanings. (1) Making things on screen appear bigger or smaller. On a phone camera, walking physically closer to a subject gives a clearer result than zooming, which can make photos fuzzy. (2) A popular app for video calls — see Video Call.