Computer Repair Glossary

Computer Repair Word Definitions

Hardware

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, such as the motherboard, processor, and memory.

Software

Software refers to the programs and operating systems that run on a computer, such as the operating system, drivers, and applications.

Motherboard

The motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer, responsible for connecting all of the other hardware components together.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU, or processor, is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM is a type of computer memory that is used to store data temporarily while a computer is running.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

An HDD is a type of storage device that uses spinning disks to store data. It is used to store large amounts of data long-term.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

An SSD is a type of storage device that uses flash memory to store data. It is faster than an HDD, but typically has less storage capacity.

Computer Virus

A computer virus is a type of malware that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. It can cause damage to a computer system or steal sensitive information.

Computer Worm

A computer worm is a type of malware that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another without the need for a host file. It can cause damage to a computer system or disrupt network communication.

Trojan Horse

A Trojan horse is a type of malware that disguises itself as a legitimate program or file in order to trick users into installing it. Once installed, it can perform malicious actions on the victim’s computer.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid to the attacker to decrypt them.

Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware that is designed to collect information about a computer user without their knowledge. It can be used to track a user’s online activity, steal sensitive information, or display unwanted advertisements.

Adware

Adware is a type of software that displays unwanted advertisements on a computer or mobile device. It is often bundled with other software and can be difficult to remove.

Operating System (OS)

An operating system is the software that manages a computer’s hardware resources and provides services to other programs. Examples include Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Device Driver

A device driver is a piece of software that allows a computer’s operating system to communicate with a specific piece of hardware, such as a printer or graphics card.

BIOS

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a type of firmware that is stored on a computer’s motherboard. It is responsible for booting the computer and providing a interface for configuring system settings.

Firmware

Firmware is a type of software that is stored on a computer’s hardware, such as the BIOS or the firmware on a router. It controls the hardware and is responsible for low-level tasks.

Computer Network

A computer network is a group of interconnected computers that can communicate with each other. It can be as small as a home network or as large as the internet.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A LAN is a computer network that is confined to a small geographic area, such as a home or office. It typically uses Ethernet cables to connect devices.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A WAN is a computer network that spans a larger geographic area, such as a city or country. It typically uses telecommunication lines or satellite links to connect devices.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

A WLAN is a LAN that uses wireless technology, such as Wi-Fi, to connect devices. It is often used to connect devices that are not physically connected to a network.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN is a private network that uses a public network (such as the internet) to connect remote sites or users. It allows users to securely access resources on the private network from anywhere.

Network Interface Controller (NIC)

A NIC is a hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a network. It can be a wired or wireless connection, and is often integrated into the motherboard or installed as a separate card.

Router

A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. It connects networks together and controls the flow of data between them.

Switch

A switch is a networking device that connects devices together on a network. It receives data packets and forwards them to their intended destination based on the device’s MAC address.

Firewall

A firewall is a security system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It is used to protect a network from external threats, such as malware and hacking attempts.

Proxy Server

A proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary between a client and another server. It is used to improve security, anonymity, and performance on a network.

Domain Name System (DNS)

DNS is a system that translates human-readable domain names (such as “google.com”) into IP addresses (such as “172.217.163.100”). It is used to locate servers and resources on the internet.

IP Address

An IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. It uniquely identifies a device on the network.

Netmask

A netmask is a number used to determine which portion of an IP address represents the network and which portion represents the host. It is used to determine which devices are on the same network.

Subnet

A subnet is a logical division of an IP network into smaller, interconnected networks. It is used to improve network performance and security by separating different groups of devices.

Network Topology

Network topology refers to the layout of a computer network, including the physical and logical connections between devices. Common topologies include star, bus, ring, and mesh.

Protocol

A protocol is a set of rules and standards that govern how devices communicate with each other on a network. Examples include TCP/IP, HTTP, and FTP.

Port

A port is a logical connection point on a computer for transmitting and receiving data. Each port has a unique number that is used to identify the type of data being transmitted and to route the data to the correct application or service.

Ethernet

Ethernet is a type of network protocol that is used to connect devices together in a LAN. It uses cables to transmit data and is the most common type of network connection.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to a network using radio waves. It is commonly used to connect devices to a WLAN or to the internet.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless networking technology that allows devices to communicate with each other over short distances. It is commonly used to connect devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops to peripherals such as keyboards and headphones.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

USB is a standard for connecting devices to a computer. It is used to transfer data and power between devices and is commonly used to connect peripherals such as printers and external hard drives.

Computer Case

A computer case, also known as a tower or chassis, is the enclosure that contains a computer’s main components. It is responsible for protecting and organizing the hardware, as well as providing airflow to keep the components cool.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A PSU is a device that supplies power to a computer. It converts AC power from an outlet into the DC power needed by the computer’s components.

Power Cord

A power cord is a cable that is used to connect a device to a power source. It is typically used to connect a computer or other electronic device to an outlet.

Power Strip

A power strip is a device that has multiple outlets and allows a user to plug in multiple electrical devices at once. It is often used to extend the number of outlets available or to provide surge protection for electronic devices.

Motherboard

A motherboard is a printed circuit board that contains the main components of a computer, such as the processor, memory, and expansion slots. It is the central hub of a computer and all other components connect to it.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU, also known as the processor, is the brain of a computer. It executes instructions and performs tasks for the computer. It is one of the most important components of a computer and is responsible for most of its processing power.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM is a type of memory that is used to store data that the CPU uses in the short term. It is volatile memory, meaning it is erased when the computer is turned off. Increasing the amount of RAM in a computer can improve its performance.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

An HDD is a type of storage device that stores data on spinning disks. It is used to store data that is accessed frequently, such as the operating system and installed programs.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

An SSD is a type of storage device that stores data on flash memory. It is faster and more reliable than an HDD, but typically has less storage capacity. It is used to store data that is accessed frequently, such as the operating system and installed programs.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A GPU is a specialized processor that is designed to handle the complex calculations needed to render images and video. It is responsible for rendering the graphics on a computer’s display and is an important component for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks.

Sound Card

A sound card is a hardware component that allows a computer to produce sound. It is often installed as a separate card or is integrated onto the motherboard. It is used to play audio files and to enable sound in games and other software.

Monitor

A monitor is a display device that is used to output the visual content of a computer. It can be a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display), or OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display.

Keyboard

A keyboard is a device that is used to input data and commands into a computer. It consists of a layout of keys that correspond to different letters, numbers, and symbols.

Mouse

A mouse is a device that is used to input data and commands into a computer. It consists of a button or buttons and a cursor that is moved across the screen to select items and input data.

Touchpad

A touchpad is a type of pointing device that is used to input data and commands into a computer. It is a flat surface that is sensitive to finger movements and is often integrated into laptops and other portable devices.

Webcam

A webcam is a video camera that is used to capture images and video and transmit them over the internet. It is often built into laptops or can be attached to a desktop computer or monitor.

Scanner

A scanner is a device that is used to input images and text into a computer. It captures an image of a document or photograph and converts it into digital form.

Printer

A printer is a device that is used to output data from a computer. It can print text, images, and other content onto paper or other media.

Operating System (OS)

An operating system is a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer. It is responsible for starting the computer, managing its resources, and providing a platform for other programs to run on.

File System

A file system is a method of organizing and storing files on a computer. It is responsible for creating, deleting, and managing the files and directories on a computer’s storage media.

Device Driver

A device driver is a software program that allows a computer to communicate with a specific device or piece of hardware. It acts as an intermediary between the operating system and the device, allowing the device to function properly.

Software

Software is a collection of instructions that tell a computer what to do. It can include operating systems, applications, and utilities.

Application Software

Application software is a type of software that performs specific tasks for the user. Examples include word processors, web browsers, and media players.

System Software

System software is a type of software that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer. It includes operating systems, device drivers, and utilities.

Utility

A utility is a type of software that performs a specific task to maintain or improve the performance of a computer. Examples include antivirus software and disk defragmenters.

Software Patch

A software patch is a piece of software that is used to update or fix a problem with an existing software program. It is often distributed as a small file that is applied to the software to fix bugs or add new features.

Software Update

A software update is a new version of a software program that is released to fix bugs, add new features, or improve the performance of the software. It is often distributed through an automatic update process or can be manually downloaded and installed by the user.

Backup

A backup is a copy of data that is made in case the original data is lost or damaged. It is used to restore data in the event of a hardware failure, software issue, or other disaster.

Virus

A virus is a piece of malicious software that is designed to spread from one computer to another. It can cause harm to a computer by deleting files, corrupting data, or performing other malicious actions.

Malware

Malware is a term used to describe any software that is designed to perform malicious actions on a computer. It includes viruses, worms, trojans, and other types of harmful software.

Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware that is designed to gather information about a person or organization without their knowledge. It can track a person’s online activity, gather personal information, and transmit that information to a third party.

Adware

Adware is software that is designed to display advertisements on a computer. It can be bundled with other software and can be difficult to remove. It is often used to generate revenue for the software developer.

Computer Virus

A computer virus is a type of malware that is designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. It can cause harm to a computer by deleting files, corrupting data, or performing other malicious actions.

Worm

A worm is a type of malware that is designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another without the need for a host file. It can cause harm to a computer by deleting files, corrupting data, or performing other malicious actions.

Trojan

A trojan is a type of malware that is disguised as legitimate software and is designed to perform malicious actions on a computer. It is often distributed through email attachments or downloaded from malicious websites.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files. The attackers then demand a ransom from the victim to restore access to the files upon payment. Ransomware attacks are often financially motivated and target individuals, businesses, and even government agencies.

Firewall

A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It is used to prevent unauthorized access to a computer or network and is often used to protect against malware and other cyber threats.

Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is a type of utility that is designed to detect and remove malware from a computer. It scans the computer for known viruses and can also scan incoming files and emails to prevent new infections.

Software Bug

A software bug is an error in a software program that causes it to behave in unexpected ways. Bugs can range from minor annoyances to serious problems that can cause the software to crash or function improperly.

Software Crash

A software crash is an event that occurs when a software program stops functioning correctly and closes unexpectedly. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including bugs, hardware issues, and malware.

Computer Freeze

A computer freeze is an event that occurs when a computer becomes unresponsive and stops functioning correctly. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including hardware issues, software bugs, and malware.

Computer Hang

A computer hang is an event that occurs when a computer becomes unresponsive and stops functioning correctly. It is similar to a freeze, but the computer may still be able to perform certain tasks, such as moving the mouse cursor, but is otherwise unresponsive.

Computer Restart

A computer restart is the process of shutting down and starting up a computer again. It can be used to fix problems with the computer, such as software bugs or hardware issues, and is often the first troubleshooting step when a computer is not functioning properly.

Computer Reboot

A computer reboot is the process of shutting down and starting up a computer again. It is similar to a restart, but is often used to refer to the process of starting up a computer after it has been turned off or has lost power.

Computer Repair

Computer repair is the process of diagnosing and fixing problems with a computer. It can include hardware repair, software troubleshooting, and maintenance tasks.

Computer Maintenance

Computer maintenance is the process of keeping a computer in good working condition. It can include tasks such as cleaning the computer, updating software, and running maintenance utilities.

Computer Cleaning

Computer cleaning is the process of removing dirt, dust, and other debris from a computer to keep it in good working condition. It can include tasks such as cleaning the keyboard, mouse, and monitor, as well as cleaning the inside of the computer.

Computer Technician

A computer technician is a person who is trained to repair and maintain computers. They may work in a computer repair service, in a corporate IT department, or as a freelancer providing repair and maintenance services.