Inside the internet

Computer networks – the computers and connecting hardware (wifi access points, cables, fibres, switches and routers) that make it possible to transfer data using an agreed method (‘protocol’).

Cookies - Small text files stored on a computer that keep track of what a person does on a website 

CSS - (Cascading Style Sheets) A language used to describe reusable styles for presenting documents written in a markup language. CSS allows web developers to alter the layout and appearance of their web pages. For example, CSS may be used to change the font used in certain HTML element, as well as its size and colour. A single CSS file may be linked to multiple pages, which allows a developer to change the appearance of all the pages at the same time. 

Data – a structured set of numbers, representing digitised text, images, sound or video, which can be processed or transmitted by a computer.

Firewall - A barrier created with hardware or software between a trusted system or network and outside connections, such as the Internet. However, a computer firewall is more of a filter than a wall, allowing trusted data to flow through it. It tries to reduce the amount of viruses, malicious software and hackers that can come into a network from the Internet.

Hardware - Any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the keyboard, monitor or mouse. It also includes all of the computer's internal parts. 

HTML - Hypertext Markup Language. HTML is used to create electronic documents (called pages) that are displayed on the World Wide Web. Every web page you see on the Internet is written using one version of HTML code or another. HTML code ensures the proper formatting of text and images so that your Internet browser may display them as they are intended to look. HTML also provides a basic structure of the page, upon which Cascading Style Sheets are overlaid to change its appearance. One could think of HTML as the bones (structure) of a web page, and CSS as its skin (appearance).

Internet – the global collection of computer networks and their connections, all using shared protocols (TCP/IP) to communicate.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) -  a company that lets you connect to the Internet via their system. They may filter unsuitable content or limit how much data can be sent at once (the bandwidth).

IP Address - An IP address, or simply an "IP," is a unique address that identifies a device on the Internet or a local network. It allows a system to be recognised by other systems connected via the Internet protocol. 

LAN - Stands for "Local Area Network" and is pronounced "lan." A LAN is a network of connected devices that exist within a specific location. LANs may be found in homes, offices, educational institutions, or other areas. A LAN may be wired, wireless, or a combination of the two. A standard wired LAN uses Ethernet cables to connect devices together. Wireless LANs are typically created using a Wi-Fi signal. If a router supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections, it can be used to create a LAN with both wired and wireless devices.

Network - A network consists of multiple devices that communicate with one another. It can be as small as two computers or as large as billions of devices. While a traditional network is comprised of desktop computers, modern networks may include laptops, tablets, smartphones, televisions, gaming consoles, smart appliances, and other electronics.

Networked printer - A printer that is connected to a server in a network. This allows any user on the network, from any computer, to send print jobs to the same printer, via the server.

Online - using a digital device to visit a website or app that makes use of the internet.

Password - a secret string of letters, symbols, and numbers that you can use to restrict who can access something digital.

PC - Personal computer. This could be a desktop or laptop computer, but more often is used by people to describe a desktop computer.

Proxy server - A proxy server improves Internet access speeds from a network primarily by using a caching system. Caching saves recently viewed Web sites, images, and files on a local hard drive so that they don't have to be downloaded from the Web again. The other main purpose a proxy server is to filter what is allowed into the network. The proxy server can limit what Web sites users on the network can access.

Redundancy - duplicate devices that are used for backup purposes. The goal of redundancy is to prevent or recover from the failure of a specific component or system.

Router - A box that connects a home, business or school network to the internet, acting as a junction point. There are millions of routers across the world. 

Server - A server is a computer that serves up information to other computers on a network. Schools and many businesses will have a file server that pupils and employees can use to store and share files. A server can look like a regular desktop computer, or it can be much larger. 

Server jobs - Manage a list of people who are allowed on the network (logon), hold all school saved work, manage printers. 

Services – programs running on computers, typically those connected to the internet, which provide functionality in response to requests; for example, to transmit a web page, deliver an email or allow a text, voice or video conversation.

Software – computer programs, including both application software (such as office programs, web browsers, media editors and games) and the computer operating system. The term also applies to ‘apps’ running on mobile devices and to web-based services.

Switch - A box that switches data from one computer to another. All wired computers on a network connect back to the switch. 

WAN - A ‘wide area network’ is not limited to a single area, but spans multiple locations. WANs are often comprised of multiple LANs that are connected over the Internet. A company WAN, for example, may extend from the headquarters to other offices around the world. Access to WANs may be limited using authentication, firewalls, and other security measures. The Internet itself is the largest WAN since it encompasses all locations connected to the Internet.

Web browser - A web browser, or simply "browser," is an application used to access and view websites. Common web browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari.

Wired Network - These are wires that go from the switch to every wired computer. These are typically much faster than wireless connections and are usually ethernet cables. 

Wireless Access Point (WAP) - A box that takes data from a wired network and converts it into wireless signals. 

Wireless Network - Signals that pass through the air from the wireless access point to laptops, tablets, smartphones or other wireless enabled devices.

World Wide Web – a service provided by computers connected to the internet (web servers), in which pages of hypertext (web pages) are transmitted to users; the pages typically include links to other web pages and may be generated by programs automatically.