New to the big wide world we call the Internet? Don't be embarrassed, many are. As you get yourself acquainted and settled into the Web, you'll find you come across many of the same terms. It can be confusing at first to figure out just what it all means, so here's a list of some of the more basic words you'll be seeing around. These definitions, and many many more, can be found here and here.

1. Adware- Adware is free software that is supported by advertisements. Most adware is safe to use, but some can serve as spyware, gathering information about you from your hard drive, the Web sites you visit, or your keystrokes.

2. Bandwidth- The rate at which information travels through a network connection, usually measured in bits per second, kilobits (thousand bits) per second, or megabits (million bits) per second.

3. Blog- Short for Web log, a blog is a Web page that serves as a publicly accessible personal journal for an individual

4. Bookmark- A file within a browser in which an Internet user can save the addresses of interesting or frequently used Web sites, so that they are readily available for re-use.

5. Browser- A program that allows a user to find, view, hear, and interact with material on the World Wide Web. Firefox, which you should be using for a safer surfing experience, is an example of a browser.

6. Cache- (Pronounced "cash.") Browser caches and Internet caches store copies of Web pages retrieved by the user for some period of time in order to speed up retrieval the next time the same page is requested.

7. Chat room- The name given to a place or page in a Web site or online service where people can "chat" with each other by typing messages which are displayed almost instantly on the screens of others who are in the "chat room."

8. Cookie- A small data file created by a Web server that is stored on your computer either temporarily for that session only or permanently on the hard disk (persistent cookie). Cookies provide a way for the Web site to recognize you and keep track of your preferences.

9. Domain Name- This is the name that identifies an Web site. Such as "geekdrop.com" A single Web server can serve Web sites for multiple domain names, but a single domain name can point to only one machine.

10. Download- to transfer (copy) files from one computer to another. "Download" can also mean viewing a Web site, or material on a Web server, with a Web browser.

11. Email- A system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a computer network, as between personal computers.

12. Firewall - Hardware or software that secures computer files by
blocking unauthorized access. Many computers already have them, but they must be activated by the user.

13. Flaming - Posting or sending a deliberately confrontational message via newsgroup, e-mail, etc., usually in response to a previous message.

14. Hacker - Someone who breaks into your computer (or into a network of computers) over the Internet.

15. Home page - The first page on a Web site, which introduces the site and provides the means of navigation.

16. Hot linking- When a web page of one website is direct linking to the images or other multimedia files on the web host of another website owner (usually without permission, thus stealing bandwidth). In other words, this is bad.

17. Hyperlink- An image or portion of text on a Web page that is linked to another Web page, either on the same site or in another Web site. Clicking on the link will take the user to another Web page, or to another place on the same page.

18. IP Address (or IP number)- A set of four numbers, each between zero and 255, separated by periods (eg: 192.168.0.5). The IP address uniquely identifies a computer or other hardware device (such as a printer) on the Internet.

19. ISP- (Internet Service Provider) An organization that provides access to the Internet. Connection to the user is provided via dial-up, ISDN, cable, DSL and T1/T3 lines. Customers are generally billed a fixed rate per month, but other charges may apply.

20. Keystroke logger- Hardware device or a software program that records each keystroke made on a particular computer. Marketed as a way for parents to monitor their children's activities on a computer, keystroke loggers are sometimes downloaded unwittingly by users. To install this on a computer not owned by you is illegal. Don't do it...

21. Phishing- Pronounced "fishing," it is a scam to steal valuable information such as credit card and social security numbers, user IDs and passwords. Also known as "brand spoofing," an official-looking e-mail is sent to potential victims pretending to be from their ISP, bank or retail establishment.

22. Pop-up ads- Term for unsolicited advertising that appears as its own browser window.

23. Search engine- A tool that enables users to locate information on the World Wide Web. Search engines use keywords entered by users to find Web sites which contain the information sought.

24. Spam- Unsolicited "junk" e-mail sent to large numbers of people to promote products or services. Sexually explicit unsolicited e-mail is called "porn spam." Also refers to inappropriate promotional or commercial postings to discussion groups or bulletin boards.

25. Trojans- Programs designed to allow third parties unauthorized access to the computer systems they infect.

26. URL- The World Wide Web address of a site on the Internet.

27. Virus- A program that is loaded onto your computer unbeknownst to you. Viruses can make copies of themselves, quickly using up all available memory.

28. Web site- A collection of "pages" or files linked together and available on the World Wide Web. Web sites are provided by companies, organizations and individuals.

29. Webmaster- The person responsible for administering a Web site.

30. Worm- A program that reproduces itself over a network, usually performing malicious actions, such as using up the computer's resources and possibly shutting the system down.