A  

ActiveX®:

 A Microsoft® programming language that gives motion, music, sound, and interactivity to certain webpages. (Also see Shockwave® and Flash.) Sometimes a site will ask if you have Shockwave, Flash, or ActiveX. This means your Web browser will need that programming language to view some of the content on the site.

Antivirus Software:

 A program that keeps your computer working right by protecting it from viruses, programs, or codes that make your system do things you don't want it to do.

Avatar:

 A virtual you, seen by those you interact with in virtual worlds, chat sessions, or other communication sessions. An avatar is a visual representation of you online, which you can create to be as imaginative, expressive, or realistic as you like. (Also see Second Life®.)
 
  B  

Blog/Blogging:

 Short for weblog. A blog is a personal journal published online. The author (or blogger) chooses a subject and posts daily, weekly, or monthly entries to share tips and information, vent about an experience, or just express themselves. Blogging is the act of writing or publishing a blog entry.

Bluetooth®:

 A short-range type of wireless technology that lets different devices talk to each other. Instead of using lots of cords and looking for just the right kind of plug for every device, Bluetooth lets you connect and share information between all kinds of electronic devices (including mobile phones, printers, desktop computers, laptops, digital cameras, keyboards, and mice).

Broadband:

 A quick, permanent way of connecting your computer to the Internet and other networks. Instead of using a phone line and dialing in to the network, broadband connections are always on. These connections are also much faster than dial-up, letting you easily access webpages, check email, and download files (such as pictures and video).

Browser:

 The program you use to access the Internet, such as Microsoft® Internet Explorer®, Apple® Safari, or Mozilla Firefox®. Most of these programs are free to download.
 
  C  

Chat:

 A quick and easy way of "talking" to someone online by sending short messages back and forth (also known as instant messaging). You can have a personal chat with one person, or host a chat session with several friends at once. Some websites also offer professional chats, where you can get instant advice on health, technology, or other areas of interest.

Chat Room:

 A space online where you communicate with other people instantaneously. These spaces can be private discussions among friends or public sessions about common interests (from music and television to gardening and family life).

Cookies:

 When you visit a website, this small text file is sent to your browser by that site to track activity. These messages help the site remember your computer when you come back for another visit, so you quickly can access your personalized page or shopping cart on that site. Cookies help you access favorite pages faster, and some shopping pages won't work without cookies.
 
  E  

Emoticon:

 A simple symbol representing an emotion that?s made up of a sequence of keyboard characters. Emoticons usually are made up of colons, semicolons, and parentheses to create "faces" (when you look at the characters sideways). Popular emoticons are happy : ) or winking face ; ) or face with a tongue sticking out : P, and some have developed into more complex ?smiley face? graphics.
 
  F  

Facebook:

 A social networking site that lets you express yourself and connect with friends, family, and coworkers online. You can use Facebook to share personal photos, videos, favorite links, or other personal information with the people you know. Once you find something in common with others on Facebook, you can form a network to help others connect with you. Networks usually are based on where you live, where you work, or your alma mater. Once you join a network, it's easy for your friends to find you on Facebook. But only those confirmed as your friends (or people in your network) can access your personal page.

Firefox®:

 An open-source Web browser for Windows®, Linux, and Mac OS X. Firefox is available for free download from the Mozilla Foundation.

Firewall:

 A combination of hardware and software that protects you from hackers trying to access your computer or network. This works by accepting only certain kinds of messages from the Internet.

Flash:

 A type of animation software used to make moving images on webpages, games, and advertisements. Sometimes a site will ask if you have Shockwave®, Flash, or ActiveX®. This means your Web browser will need that programming language to view some of the content on the site.

Forums:

 An online discussion group where you can post messages in response to various topics, from parenting to popular TV shows. (Also see message boards.)
 
  I  

Identity Theft:

 When someone uses your personal information (Social Security number, credit card info, etc.) to impersonate you. Criminals use this information to rack up charges on a credit card, open new loans, and commit other acts in your name.

IM (Instant Messaging):

 A type of real-time communication where you "talk" with someone by sending short messages back and forth through a simple program. To IM someone, both you and that person must have an IM program installed. (Also see chat.)

Internet Explorer®:

 A Web browser from Microsoft® that is included with all Microsoft Windows® operating systems. (Also see browser.)

ISP (Internet Service Provider):

 A company that provides you with an Internet connection. For a regular fee, the company provides you with the software and equipment you need and helps you set up user and email accounts.
 
  M  

Message Board:

 An online bulletin board where people can post and share messages with other people. (Also see forums.)

MP3:

 A file extension for a type of audio file. Songs downloaded online are typically MP3 files.

Multimedia:

 Use of several types of media at once, such as video or animated images with sound.

MySpace:

 A social networking site (SNS) where people create personal profiles to express themselves with pictures, video, music, and personal info.
 
  P  

Phishing:

 The act of using an email or instant message to draw people to a fake website and steal their personal information. These messages seem to come from a legitimate source, such as a bank or government organization, and direct the user to visit the bogus site and update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, bank account, and Social Security numbers. This usually leads to identity theft. Whenever you get a message asking for personal information, don't follow the link from the message. Use a search engine to find the organization?s real site. (Also see identity theft.)

Playlist:

 A set of downloaded songs (usually MP3s). You can arrange your own personal playlists using your favorite media player (iPod or mobile phone), or download prearranged lists online.

Plug-in:

 A small piece of software that allows your browser to run certain kinds of multimedia files (such as Flash movies). (Also see Flash.)

Podcast:

 An audio file (or collection of files from a syndicated program) available to download and listen to on a portable media player. Podcasts are typically conversations around popular topics, and people usually subscribe to their favorites to hear new content on a regular basis. (Also see playlist.)
 
  R  

RSS (Real Simple Syndication):

 A method of subscribing to a website to have the latest headlines or content updates pushed directly to your desktop (in an RSS reader) or home page for quick browsing.
 
  S  

Safari:

 An Internet browser program created by Apple®.

Search Engine:

 Software that helps you find what you want online by looking for certain words or phrases on different sites.

Search Toolbar:

 A condensed version of a search engine, usually placed in the top of your browser window. You can use the search toolbar to quickly conduct a search without visiting a search engine page.

Second Life®:

 An Internet-based virtual world, developed by Linden Research, Inc., which allows you to interact with other people through animated avatars.

Shockwave®:

 A set of programs that lets certain animated elements of a site play in your browser. (Also see ActiveX® and Flash.) Sometimes a site will ask if you have Shockwave®, Flash, or ActiveX®. This means your Web browser will need that programming language to view some of the content on the site.

Site Map:

 A simple list or diagram of various pages within a website, designed to help you easily navigate the site and find the page you're looking for.

Social Media:

 Any type of communication where the users publish the content.

Spyware:

 Software that uses your Internet connection to gather information without your permission.

Streaming Media:

 Multimedia files that begin to play as soon as they begin to download.
 
  T  

Texting:

 A way of sending simple text messages by SMS (Short Message Service) between mobile phones. Because texting is usually done with the small keypad, the messages are made up of acronyms or abbreviated phrases (such as "LOL" for "laugh out loud" and "IDK" for "I don't know"). (Also see texting translations.)

Thread:

 A series of forum postings or other messages about one particular subject, including the message that started the discussion.
 
  U  

URL (Uniform Resource Locator):

 The address for a website or resource (such as www.MomsInternetGuide.com). These addresses usually begin with "http://" or "www."
 
  W  

Web 2.0:

 The "second generation" of Web-based communities and services where users generate and control the content.

Wi-Fi:

 Short for "wireless fidelity." Wi-Fi enabled devices (such as your computer, mobile phone, or MP3 player) let you connect to the Internet when they're in range of a wireless network.

Widget:

 A small program that sits on your desktop to add some fun to your day or make it easier to find information. Widgets are easy to download and come in handy for quick, simple tasks such as checking the latest headlines or weather forecast at a glance.

Wiki:

 A website run by the general public, where several people can post, edit, delete, or modify the information published on that site. The word comes from "wiki wiki," which is Hawaiian for "quick."

Wikipedia:

 A free Web-based encyclopedia that anyone can edit. Wikipedia lets you look up information on just about anything in any language.

 
  Y  

YouTube:

 A website where you can upload, watch, and share short videos with the public. People typically visit YouTube to watch homemade movies, clips from feature films and TV shows, or music videos.