GCSE ICT Glossary of Terms

Term / Description / Lesson
Backup / A copy of data that is made in case the original data is lost or damaged. The backup can be used to restore the original data. / 4.5
Bandwidth / The amount of data that can fit though an Internet connection. Measured in bits per second (bps).Kbps = kilobits per second / Mbps = Mega bits per second. / 3.3-3.5
Biometrics / An automated method of recognising a person based on physical characteristics. Among the features measured are face, fingerprints, hand geometry, iris and voice / 2.2
Blog / Short for ‘web log’, a shared online journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies / 1.5
Bluetooth / Allows the exchange of data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices. In order for devices to communicate they must be able to understand Bluetooth rules (protocols) / 1.1
Blu-ray / A disk that enables the recording, rewriting and play back of high-definition video and the storing of large amounts of data. It has more than 5 times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single layer disk and 50 GB on a dual layer disk. / 3.1
Boolean Operators / Used in advanced searching on the Internet.
AND, OR or NOT.
Use “speech marks” to identify whole phrases / 2.1, 3.1
Broadband / A high speed connection to the Internet / 3.3-3.5
Captcha Test / A challenge test used to prevent automated software from filling in the online form / 5.1-5.5
CPU (Central Processing Unit) / The CPU is the brains of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the central processor, but more commonly called processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system. Its performance is measured in gigahertz (GHz). The faster the performance, the more power it uses. This is an important consideration when buying a portable device. / 1.4
Cloud computing / A system in which all computer programs and data is stored on a central server owned by a company (e.g. Google) and accessed virtually / 2.4
Collaboratively / Working together to achieve common goals / 4.3
Compatible / Compatibility / The ability of a device to communicate and share information with another device / 1.1
Term / Description / Lesson
Content Network / Being part of a Content Network enables an advert to be displayed on a huge number of sites other than just in a search engine
You can use this as a business to advertise on other sites relevant to your business and attract new customers / 4.6-4.7
Convergence / When one device is developed to carry out functions that were performed by several different devices / 2.5
Cookies / A small text file which stores information related to your Internet activity and then reports this back to the website server. They are used legitimately by website creators to enable websites to be customised for individual users e.g customise your BBC homepage / 1.7,3.7-3.8, 4.6-4.7
Copyright / Gives the creator of an original work exclusive rights regarding that work for a certain period of time, including its publication, distribution and adaptation / 1.7
Covert / Covert Data Collection - Collecting information about people without their knowledge (Spyware) / 3.7-3.8
Credit card / A plastic card, issued by banks, building societies, retail stores and other businesses, which enable a person to buy goods and services without the need for cash. The holder agrees to pay back the money borrowed at a later date, sometimes with interest. / 5.1-5.5
Cyber cafe / A cafe or coffee shop that has a number of personal computers connected to the Internet and available for use by customers. Most charge by he hour or fraction of an hour / 2.4
Data / Symbols, characters, images and numbers are all types of data. When data is processed and acquires meaning it becomes information. Computers process data to produce information / 3.3-3.5, 4.5
Debit card / Similar to a credit card but the money is taken directly from the holders bank account / 5.1-5.5
Desktop computer / A stationary computer usually consisting of a tower and separate monitor. It is generally more powerful and has a large storage capacity than a portable computer / 1.4
Digital Divide / This is the gap between people in society who cannot or do not have effective access to digital technology and those who do. Because of the importance of technology in modern life, people who do not have access to it can be disadvantaged in many ways. / 1.8
Digital product / A product produced using ICT tools and viewed on-screen. It does not need to be printed out
Digital Rights Management (DRM) / Allows the copyright holder or the owner of the media control over the number of viewings, plays and copies, and even which devices the media can be played or views on. IF you download a film from ITunes you cannot burn it on to a DVD because of the DRM encoded in the film / 1.7, 3.6
Term / Description / Lesson
Disaster Recovery / The policies and procedures that a company or organisation has in place so it can carry on with normal business after a disaster, such as a major ICT failure, a fire etc / 4.5
Dongle / A small piece of hardware that connects to a computer and has uses including data storage and picking up Bluetooth and 3G signals. A dongle may be portable like a USB pen / 4.2
Download / Transfer of a file e.g. a video from a central computer to your computer / 3.3-3.5, 3.6
E-commerce / Buying and selling goods electronically usually over the Internet
Emoticon / The use of icons or text to portray mood or facial expression
Encryption / For security, data is translated into a secret code according to a set of rules in a special ‘key’. To convert the data back into plain text, the receiver must also have the key / 3.3-3.5
Ergonomics / The science of designing safe and comfortable machines and furniture for humans. / 4.1
Etiquette / A set of rules that people try to abide by out of respect for other people around them. / 1.3
File Format e.g. mp3/mp4 / The particular code that the file is stored in. Different software and devices use different formats which can cause problems if a device cannot decode the information / 1.1
Firewall / A system designed to prevent unauthorised access to your computer when connected to a network such as the Internet / 3.3-3.5
Flash memory card / Used for fast and easily transferable information storage in digital devices such as mobile phones, media players and cameras. Flash memory is known as a solid state storage device meaning there are no moving parts. Everything is electronic instead of mechanical and so it is ideal for mobile devices / 1.1
Forum / Allows users to get together for open discussions. General and specialist forums can be useful if you have a question you want to post as other users can respond with answers or advice. / 4.3
Fraud / Tricking someone for personal gain or to damage them / 1.7, 3.7-3.8
Future proofing / Anticipating future developments when you buy something in the hope that is will not go out of date quickly. Future proofing can be expensive, as buying something top of the range will cost more than if you wait a short while / 1.4
Geotag / To attach the exact geographical coordinates of longitude and latitude to a digital image giving the location of where it was taken / 2.5
Globalisation / The increasing integration of economies and societies around the world particularly through international trade / 1.8, 4.6-4.7
Term / Description / Lesson
Global Positioning System (GPS) / A navigational system used in many devices which Gives current location, directions from current location to a specified destination and distance from current location to specified destination using signals from satellites. Assisted GPS (AGPS) is a technology that has been built into mobile phones. When the signal between a mobile phone and satellites is weak, the signal is diverted to a mobile mast which identify the phones exact location and allow the used to carry on using the feature / 1.1, 1.2, 2.5
Hackers / People who try to get access to your computer without your permission in order to steal information which they could use for malicious or criminal purposes. / 1.7
Hard Disk/Drive / This stores all the software, files and data. Its size is measured in bytes (usually gigabytes). The bigger it is the more data can be stored. Images and media files require a lot of file space. / 1.4
Hardware / The physical parts of a computer system e.g. the CPU and the devices connected to it / 1.4
HDMI (High definition multimedia Interface) / Required for connecting devices to show high-definition video / 3.1
HDTV / High definition TV / 3.1
HD (High Definition) / The picture on a TV screen is made of lines of pixels. In a conventional TV there are 625 lines which are refreshed 25 times per second. HD has either 720 or 1080 lines so it produces a clearer sharper picture / 3.1
Hot desking / Sharing desks or workstations between workers as a way of saving space and resources / 4.3
Hotspot / A venue that offers a WiFi Internet connection. Many are located in hotels and restaurants and lots of them are free / 2.4
Identity Theft / A crime that involves someone pretending to be another person in order to steal money or obtain benefits / 1.7
IMAP4 / Internet Message Access Protocol 4 allows users to get the email into their inbox or phone straight away without having to login. The emails stay on the ISP server from which they are accessed / 1.6
Information Overload / Having so much information available that the user feels overwhelmed and is unable to take any of it in possibly leading to stress / 1.6
ISP Internet Service Provider / AS company that provides Internet access to its customers / 3.3-3.5
IP (Internet Protocol) address / The personal address of your computer (just like your home address) so that servers know where to send the information you have requested / 3.3-3.5
Term / Description / Lesson
Laptop Computer / A portable computer designed to fit on the lap. Carries out same functions as a desktop computer but in a compact version that is light enough to be carried / 1.4
Latency / The time delay between the moment something is initiated and the moment it becomes detectable / 3.3-3.5
Legislation / Laws applied to ICT
Computer Misuse Act
Data Protection Act
Health and Safety
Digital Rights Management
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act / 1.7, 3.6, 4.1, 4.5
License / Having a software licence means that you have legitimately purchased the software and are legally allowed to use it.
When purchasing software users normally have to purchase a licence which gives details of the copyright of the software. The user must accept the terms and conditions of the software licence before they can use it. / 4.4
Malware / Software that is designed to cause problems for users / 1.7
Metadata / Provides information about the content of a digital item e.g. each digital images from a digital camera has a file attached listing such things as date, time camera and shutter speed / 2.5
Memory / This usually refers to RAM (Random Access Memory). This temporary memory used to run programs that are open on the computer. The higher the RAM, the more programs you can run at one time and the faster they will respond. Graphics and videos require a lot of RAM. / 1.4
Microchip / A miniature electronic circuit used to control computers and most other electronic devices / 2.2
MMS / Multimedia Messaging Service, or MMS, is a standard way to send messages that include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. It extends the core SMS (Short Message Service) capability that allowed exchange of text messages only up to 160 characters in length. / 2.3
Mobile Broadband / Allows devices such as smart phones, laptops and netbooks to connect to a high speed Internet connection over a wide geographical area, without the need for wires
Relies on the 3G mobile phone signal/network, the same technology used by 3G mobile phones
Mobile Broadband is an alternative to Wifi/Hotspot Internet Access / 4.2
Multifunctional / Having the ability to do many different things using the same device / 1.1, 1.2
Term / Description / Lesson
Multimedia / A combination of different content types such as text, audio, still images, animation and video / 3.1
Multitask / To perform more than one task at the same time / 4.3
Netbook / A small portable laptop computer designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet / 1.4
Network / Devices connected together to allow communication and exchange of data / 3.3-3.5
Network Band / Mobile phones operate on different frequencies in different countries. To be able to connect with a phone on a different frequency, the phone needs to be able to receive one or more frequencies. A phone can be:
Dual band – picking up 2 frequencies
Tri band - picking up 3 frequencies
Quad band - picking up 4 frequencies
Having a quad-band phone allows you to use it in 5 different countries / 1.1
Notebook / Similar to a laptop but even more compact / 1.4
Online banking / A service offered by banks that allows account holders to view their account information online and carry out various financial transactions / 5.1-5.5
Online forum / An online message board where people can share ideas and views / 4.3
Open Source Software / Software that is available to download free of charge e.g. OpenOffice.org which is a suite of applications / 4.4
Optical Drive / This uses lasers to read data from CDs and DVDs. Some allow you to record data to CDs and DVDs.
(commonly referred to as CD / DVD Drive). Useful for installing software. / 1.4
Outsourcing / Using and external service provider to carry out a business function
Overheads / The ongoing expenses of operating a business e.g. rent fuel bills salaries etc / 4.6-4.7