Internet Definitions for Parents

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Z

Address- A series of letters and numbers that identify a location. On the internet, typing in an address lets you send or receive information from specific sources. You can type in the address for an e-mail account, web site, or network. For example Clicky's e-mail address is Clicky@NetSmartz.org, and the address for the NetSmartz web site is www.NetSmartz.org.

Attachment - This is a file that has been added to an e-mail. It could be something like a photograph or a clip of your favorite song. It could be something harmful to your computer, like a virus. Remind children to never open an attachment or e-mail from someone they don't know.

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Blacklisting Software - A form of filtering that blocks only sites specified as harmful. You can add and remove sites from this "no-go" list. This method of filtering allows for more full use of the internet, but is less efficient at preventing access to harmful material that is not on the list.

Blocking Software - Computer programs that block access to web sites or other services available over the internet.

Blog (short for web log) - A web log is usually defined as a personal or noncommercial web site that uses a dated log format (usually with the most recent at the top of the page) and contains links to other web sites along with commentary about those sites. A web log is updated frequently and sometimes groups links by specific subjects, such as politics, news, pop culture, or computers.

Bookmark - A way to quickly access a favorite web site by saving it in your browser. For example Clicky would bookmark www.NetSmartz.org so he could easily find his favorite internet safety games.

Browser - A program that allows users to view web pages. Netscape^® Navigator and Microsoft^® Internet Explorer are examples of popular browsers.

Bulletin Board Service (BBS) - A place where people can post messages on a particular topic.

Bulletin Boards/Wikis - An electronic message center. Most bulletin boards serve specific interest groups. They allow you to dial in with a modem, review messages left by others, and post your own messages. Bulletin Boards are a particularly good place to find free or inexpensive software products. In the United States alone, there are tens of thousands of Bulletin Board Systems.

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CD-ROM -It stands for "compact-disk, read-only memory." It is a type of disk that has a lot of memory. Many computer games that you buy come on CD-ROM to be put into your CD-ROM drive. You can also save information to a CD-ROM in order to load it onto a different computer.

Chat - Real-time communication over the internet. You type and send messages that appear almost instantly on the computer monitors of the other people who are participating in the chat.

Chatroom - An interactive forum where you can talk in real-time. The chatroom is the place or location online where the chat is taking place. Many chatrooms are established so that people can discuss a common interest like music or movies. For example Webster likes to go to the "Browser Ball" chatroom so that he can talk about his favorite game. Read articles on this topic.

Cookie - A small file that is downloaded by some web sites to store a packet of information on your browser. These packets include information such as login or registration identification, user preferences, and online "shopping-cart" information. Your browser saves the information and sends it back when you return to that web site. Cookies can be used to customize the display you see through the browser or keep track of the different pages within the site that you visited. You can configure your browser to alert you when a cookie is being sent. You can refuse to accept cookies or erase all cookies saved on your browser.

Cyberbullying - sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the internet or other digital communication devices.

Cyberspace - Refers to all the computer networks on the internet. The term distinguishes the physical world from the virtual or computer-based world.

Cyberstalking/Harassment - Terms that can refer to the online enticement of children; rude or threatening messages; slanderous information; or repeated, unwanted messages. Watch "Angela's Experience" or read articles on this topic.

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Discussion Group - A group of people who exchange information about a common topic.

Domain Name - A name given to the numerical or internet Protocol (IP) address of a web site. For example NetSmartz.org is the domain name for this web site. A Domain Name Service (DNS) assigns domain names and translates the domain name to the IP address of the site.