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Glossary of terms and definitions for IT (Information Technology), the Internet and cyber security.
This glossary provides more than 480 clear and concise definitions of commonly used terms in the fields of information technology, the internet, and cyber security. It is designed to support users of all levels in understanding key concepts, technical jargon, and acronyms frequently encountered across digital platforms and security-related discussions. Whether you are a business owner, student, professional, or simply interested in the digital landscape, this resource aims to enhance your knowledge and confidence in navigating the ever-evolving world of technology.
Internet Protocol Address; a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. It identifies and locates devices on the network, allowing data to be routed correctly.
Example: The IP address 192.168.1.1 is commonly used for routers.
An IP address that is automatically assigned to a device by a network using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and may change over time. Dynamic IP addresses are commonly used for home internet connections and general-purpose devices.
Example: Her home router was assigned a dynamic IP address by the internet provider, which changed after a reboot.
See also: IP Address, Static IP Address
A Public IP Address is an IP address that is assigned to a device for direct access over the internet, allowing it to communicate with other internet-connected devices.
Example: An Australian web server uses a public IP address so that users around the world can access the hosted website.
See also: IP Address
An IP address that is manually assigned to a device and does not change over time. Static IP addresses are often used for servers, network equipment, or any device that needs a consistent address for reliable access.
Example: The business assigned a static IP address to its web server to ensure consistent remote access.
See also: IP Address, Dynamic IP Address
Internet Protocol version 4; the fourth version of the Internet Protocol, using a 32-bit address format allowing for approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. It is the most widely deployed IP version but has limited address space.
Example: An example of an IPv4 address is 192.168.1.1 and is commonly used for local networks.
See also: IP Address, IPv6
Internet Protocol version 6; the successor to IPv4, using a 128-bit address format to provide a vastly larger number of unique IP addresses. IPv6 addresses the limitations of IPv4 and supports improved routing and security features.
Example: An example of an IPv6 address is 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
See also: IP Address, IPv4
A network protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network settings to devices on a network.
Example: When a laptop connects to a school Wi-Fi network, the DHCP server assigns it an IP address for internet access.
See also: IP Address
Metadata found at the start of an email that provides information such as sender, receiver, etc.
Example: The email header showed the sender's IP address.
A technique where an attacker falsifies the source IP address of a data packet to disguise their identity or impersonate a trusted source.
Example: An attacker sends a malicious email that appears to come from a colleague's IP address to trick you into clicking a harmful link.
Localhost refers to the local computer that a user is currently working on, typically accessed using the IP address 127.0.0.1 for testing purposes.
Example: A web developer tests a website on their machine using localhost before deploying it to a live server.
Used by routers to allow multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address.
Example: The home router uses NAT so that all connected devices can access the internet using one external IP address.
See also: Public IP Address
A firewall technique that controls the flow of data packets based on predefined security rules, such as IP addresses and ports.
Example: A firewall blocks packets from an unknown IP address trying to access the company network.
A logically segmented portion of a larger network, used to improve performance and manageability by dividing IP address space.
Example: The IT department creates a subnet for the accounting team to isolate their network traffic from other departments.
See also: Network
A Subnet Mask is a 32-bit number used in IP networking to divide an IP address into network and host portions, helping determine which devices are on the same local network.
Example: The technician configured the router with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 to define the local network range.
A commercial offering provided by third-party companies that allows users to encrypt their internet traffic, mask their IP address, bypass geographical restrictions, or attempt to maintain privacy while browsing the internet. However, while a VPN service can help protect data in transit and obscure a user's location, it carries its own risks and does not guarantee complete anonymity or security from all types of cyber threats.
Example: A user subscribes to a VPN service to encrypt their internet connection while using public Wi-Fi at an airport, preventing potential attackers from intercepting their sensitive information.
See also: VPN