Resources / Glossary

IT Glossary

Clear answers to the technology terms your business runs into every day.

The essentials

Start with the basics.

A quick reference for conversations about your systems, security, and support.

Access Point

A device that provides a Wi-Fi signal.

AI (Artifical Intelligence)

Software that allows computers to think, learn, and solve problems like a human

Bandwidth

The amount of data a network connection can carry in a given period of time.

Browser

Application used to visit resources on the internet, typically a website, e.g. Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.

DHCP

A protocol that automatically assigns an IP address to a network device, e.g. your computer.

Domain

A human-friendly address used to find a website on the internet, similar to a street address.

Firewall

A security barrier that filters network traffic according to defined rules.

IP Address

A unique numerical address that identifies a device or network on the internet.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

A company that provides internet to individuals or businesses, e.g. Spectrum or TDS.

MFA

Multi-factor authentication adds extra verification steps beyond a password.

Passkeys

A passwordless authentication method designed to replace passwords.

Patch

A software update that fixes bugs, improves performance, or closes security gaps.

Phishing

A deceptive message designed to trick someone into sharing information or opening a threat.

RAM

Memory that temporarily stores data in your computer to allow faster operations.

RMM

Remote monitoring and management helps IT teams watch over and maintain devices from afar.

Router

A device that acts as a gateway between an internal network and the internet.

SSO

Single sign-on lets people use one set of credentials to access multiple applications.

URL

What you type into your browser to visit a resource on the internet, typically a website.

Virtual Machine

Software that pretends to be a physical computer.

VPN

A Virtual Private Network creates an encrypted connection between you and a network.

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol delivers phone calls over an internet connection.

Zero Trust

A security model that verifies every user, device, and connection before granting access.