CPU:
This
is the acronym for "Central Processing Unit". This
is an older term for processor and microprocessor, the central
unit in
a computer containing the logic circuitry in your computer: think
of it as the Brains of your system.
DEFRAG:
Defrag
is short for defragmentation. In the course of using
our computers the files (documents, letters, book chapters,
etc.) that we create gradually "fragment", break into pieces
like a dinner
plate that has been dropped on the floor. One difference
is that it happens gradually, not suddenly as with the dinner
plate; the other difference is that our computers keep track
of the exact
location of each of the pieces. Defragging puts all the
pieces back where they belong.
Each time we
decide to change any of these documents it takes longer for it
to load onto your screen because we have to wait for the computer
to find all the pieces and put them together before they can popup
onto our screens. You can imagine how having many fragmented
files slows down your computer. The way to speed up your
computer, therefore, is to do a process called defragmentation
(defragging). When you defrag your hard drive all of the
pieces of all of the files are assembled into a single item. This
means that the files will now load much more quickly because they
do not need to be reassembled. Your Windows computer includes
a defragmentation tool that will do this process for you. There
are also several tools that you can install on your system that
can do your defragging in the background whenever you pause in
your work for even a minute. This will keep your system defragged
just about all of the time.
MALWARE:
Malware,
created from the words malicious and software. Malware is
software designed to infiltrate
or damage a computer system without the owner's
informed consent. It is a general term used by computer
professionals to mean a variety of hostile, intrusive, or
annoying software or program code. The term "computer virus" is
sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware,
including true viruses.
NETWORK:
Two or
more computers or computer systems that are electronically connected
within a home or business or the Internet itself.
Networks can be connected by wires or
wireless devices or by "ethernet" cards and modems
to the Internet.
SOFTWARE:
Software
refers to programs that do specific tasks. A program,
is similar to a recipe for cooking a meal. Programs use step-by-step
logic to produce desired informational results. They can
be games or programs that calculate your income taxes.
TROJAN:
The Trojan
horse, also known as trojan, in the context of computing and software,
describes a class of computer threats (malware) that
appears to perform a desirable function but in fact performs undisclosed
malicious functions that allow unauthorized access to the host machine,
giving them the ability to save their files on the user's computer
or even watch the user's screen and control the computer. Trojans
can appear to you as free screen savers, games, etc. They can appear
to be anti-virus programs when, in fact, they are the exact opposite;
destructive viruses.
More coming. Let
me know if there are any specific words that you would like to
see on this list. Just send an email and
I'll get it done.
Need a hand? Just email or
call me: (918) 645-1470. If I am with a customer I will return
your call as soon as I am free; just leave a brief message with your
name and phone number. Please state your call back number
twice to be sure I get it right.
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