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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.
System software that manages computer hardware and software resources, providing a platform for applications to run and offering user interfaces for interaction. Examples include Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Example: The laptop's operating system was upgraded to the latest version for better performance.
A mobile operating system developed by Google, used on many smartphones and tablets.
Example: Many smartphones in Australia run on the Android platform.
See also: Operating System
Firmware stored on a motherboard chip that initialises hardware during the startup process before handing control to the operating system.
Example: She updated the BIOS to improve hardware compatibility.
See also: POST (Power-On Self-Test)
Boot refers to the process of starting a computer and loading the operating system into memory from the hardware's initial power-on state.
Example: After turning on the computer, the BIOS performs a POST and then boots into the installed operating system from the SSD.
See also: POST (Power-On Self-Test)
An unexpected failure of a software program or operating system that causes it to stop functioning properly, often resulting in data loss or the need to restart the system.
Example: The word processor experienced a crash and closed before she could save her document.
The main user interface of a computer's operating system, typically displaying icons, files, and shortcuts on a background screen. It can also mean a type of computer designed for regular use at a single location.
Example: He saved the document to the desktop for quick access.
A software program that allows the operating system to communicate with hardware devices, enabling proper functionality.
Example: After installing a new graphics card, the user downloads the latest driver to ensure compatibility with games.
A unit of digital information equal to exactly 1,024MiB. (1024 mebibytes.) There is no confusion with how big a gibibyte (GiB) is as there could be with a gigabyte (GB). Therefore, GiB is the more correct term to use.
Example: The operating system used approximately 10GiB of disk space.
See also: Gigabyte (GB), Mebibyte (MiB)
A unit of digital information equal to 1,024MB (1024 megabytes) in most computing contexts, however disk drive manufacturers use it to mean 1,000,000 bytes in order to report larger storage capacities.
Example: The operating system used approximately 10GB of disk space.
See also: Gibibyte (GiB), Megabyte (MB)
An operating system combining the GNU Project's software tools and utilities with the Linux kernel. This combination provides a complete, free, and open-source system used widely for servers, desktops, and various computing devices.
Example: Ubuntu is a popular GNU/Linux distribution used by many developers worldwide.
See also: Operating System
The core component of an operating system that manages hardware and system resources.
Example: The Linux kernel received a major update.
An open-source, Unix-like operating system kernel that serves as the foundation for various distributions (distros) such as Debian, Ubuntu and Fedora. Known for its stability, flexibility, and use in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
Example: The web server was running on a Linux-based operating system for improved reliability.
See also: GNU/Linux, Operating System
Terminal is a command-line interface used in Unix-like systems such as Linux and macOS to interact with the operating system through text commands.
Example: A Linux user opens the Terminal and types commands to update system packages.
See also: CLI
A modern firmware that initializes hardware during the boot process and provides an interface between the operating system and platform firmware, replacing the legacy BIOS.
Example: A new laptop uses UEFI to support faster boot times and larger hard drives compared to older BIOS systems.