Jargon Buster F-P

File Sharing
File sharing exists on networks, both on public and private levels. File sharing mainly refers to multiple users having access to the same files, and being able to work on them, download them, or modify them simultaneously.

Firewall
A firewall is hardware or software that acts as a guard against hackers and other unauthorised attempts at gaining access to your computer via the internet or a network. A firewall can either be in the form of software or hardware (equipment).

Back to Jargon Buster

HTTP
An acronym for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. HTTP is a request/response protocol between clients and servers that dictates which website you want to view or download. HTTPS denotes a secure website that is able to take credit card payments, for example, without anyone else being able to see or steal the information.

Internet
The internet is a vast system of computer networks that are linked in such a way that any one computer can get information from another computer in that system. All of this information is accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a computer.

IP address
This stands for Internet Protocol address. IP addresses take the form of a string of numbers punctuated by points, such as 123.4.56.78 and they tend to designate the location of a particular computer within the internet. Websites too, consist of IP addresses, but these are linked to domain names to make sites easier to remember, for example www.surefish.co.uk

IP
An acronym for Internet Protocol. This is how information is sent from one computer to another. When a computer is online, it gets assigned an IP address for the server to send the requested information to.

ISDN
An acronym for Integrated Services Digital Network, ISDN is a form of digital data transfer that allows you to access the internet. In terms of speed, it falls between dial up and ADSL (normally around 128Kbps). It offers digital transmission of information over the internet, rather than telephone transmission, which dial-up connections use.

ISP
An acronym for Internet Service Provider. ISP is the company which provides your connection to the internet. If you are a Surefish customer, Surefish is your ISP.

Back to Jargon Buster

Kbps
Kbps stands for kilobits per second - the rate at which bandwidth or internet connection speed is measured. A broadband connection of 512Kbps has a theoretical download speed of 524,288 bits per second, which is nearly 10 times faster than a 56Kbps connection.

LAN
An acronym for Local Area Network. This usually refers to a group or network of connected computers confined to a shared connection to the internet.

Login
This is a system of authentication which usually involves the input of a recognised username and password in order to gain entry, for example, your Surefish.co.uk or fish.co.uk email address.

Back to Jargon Buster

Mbps
An acronym for megabits per second, which is a measure of bandwidth or internet connection speed. Mbps is also short for millions of bits per second, as opposed to Kbps, which is thousands of bits per second.

Micro filter
A micro-filter is a small device which plugs into your telephone socket and stops your broadband connection from being disrupted by fax or telephone calls. It splits the normal line frequencies into one band for telephone use and another for broadband use.

Modem
A modem is a device that converts signals from analogue to digital and vice-versa, allowing computers to communicate over analogue connections such as telephone lines, and connect to the internet.

Network card
A network card is a circuit board or card that is added to your computer to allow you to access a network. It is sometimes needed to connect to broadband.

Pop-up
A pop-up is a small window that appears over the open browser on your screen. A pop-up can be initiated by clicking a link or by mouse rollover. Pop-up ads work in the same way, but are not usually welcome or expected.

Back to Jargon Buster