Technology is all around us and there’s no getting away from it. We need it—at work, at home, for fun, when we’re driving, paying bills, speaking to coworkers, sharing with clients… the list could go on forever.
Really, it can.
But with all this technology everywhere, every day, all the time, we hear plenty of Geek Speak, Tech Terms, and IT Lingo. And, if you’re like most people, you probably have no clue what any of it really means, which isn’t anything to be ashamed about.
So, to help you out here’s a list of common tech terms you probably hear on a consistent basis.
Viruses, Trojans, & Worms
Believe it or not, these terms aren’t interchangeable. A virus and a worm both attach to items, such as emails or instant messages; however, a worm can also infiltrate your network through a software vulnerability (you opened the wrong email versus you forgot to update your system). A Trojan, on the other hand, enters your network through a malicious download and can hide out in your network for a very long time (you downloaded a free tool from a random website).
IoT, or the Internet of Things
The IoT refers to all those items that are somehow connected to the internet. Your Fitbit, your phone, your washing machine, your Wi-Fi enabled alarm system, these are all part of the IoT. They track habits, patterns, and data to present the end-user with practical information.
Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing isn’t as confusing as many people make it out to be. If you use a cloud, this just means your data is stored at an off-site data center that you can access from any location. For example, Dropbox is an application that uses cloud storage. You drop files into your account and access them from wherever.
Social Engineering
Hackers use social engineering to break into your accounts. The best way to describe this is a social situation (IM, email, phone call) that is set up in a way to manipulate you into giving away personal information (usually account credentials or financial information). An example would be an email from a “charity organization” asking you to donate money.
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol
VoIP is another way to make and receive phone calls but through an Internet connection, often used in a business context. This type of connection allows you to use your phone number in different locations, much like a cellphone. It also allows you to do Internet-related functions, such as read voicemails as emails and integrate your phone into your PC or laptop.
Disruptive Technology
Technology that changes the way we normally operate is known as disruptive technology. This would include email, cloud computing, smartphones, and 3d printing. These types of technologies have the ability to change the way we live, think, and act.
