We’ve compiled a full list of commonly encountered IT terminology that will help you better understand the industry and how it works. By familiarizing yourself with basic computer terms and definitions, you’ll allow yourself to understand manuals, descriptions, and everyday jargon necessary to fully grasp IT products and services.
You’ll find our tech glossary is conveniently laid out below in alphabetical order with an easy navigation interface so you can quickly reference words related to technology.
In addition to our tech terms, you can also find other resources to help you learn more about the role of technology in modern industry, including blogs, whitepapers, and case studies. Though our list of IT terms to know is expansive, if you have any further questions regarding things to know about technology, please contact us.
The Windows Operating System is a series of operating systems developed by Microsoft Corporation for personal computers, servers, and embedded devices. Windows provides a graphical user interface (GUI), multitasking capabilities, and support for a wide range of hardware and software applications. It includes versions like Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server, and Windows IoT. Windows OS is widely used globally, offering features for both home and enterprise users, including security enhancements, cloud integration, and productivity tools.
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a security solution designed to protect web applications by monitoring, filtering, and blocking malicious HTTP/S traffic between a web application and the internet. WAFs defend against attacks such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other web-based exploits that target application vulnerabilities. By analyzing incoming and outgoing traffic, WAFs help prevent unauthorized access and data breaches, enhancing the security posture of web applications.
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographic area, connecting multiple smaller networks such as Local Area Networks (LANs) or Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). WANs enable data communication and resource sharing among devices across cities, countries, or even globally. They are essential for businesses with multiple locations, allowing for centralized data management, collaboration, and communication over vast distances, often utilizing leased telecommunication lines or satellite links.
Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that allows devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets to connect to the internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a particular area. Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data over short distances, typically adhering to the IEEE 802.11 standards. It provides convenience and flexibility, eliminating the need for physical wired connections, and is widely used in homes, offices, public spaces, and businesses to enable wireless internet access.
The World Wide Web (WWW) is a global collection of interconnected documents and multimedia resources, accessed via the internet using web browsers. Invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, the WWW operates on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and uses Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) to identify resources. It revolutionized the way information is shared and consumed, enabling users to navigate between web pages through hyperlinks, facilitating communication, education, commerce, and entertainment on a global scale.
