Tech Vocab Flashcards

Wireless internet in your home or a cafe. Example: "Connect your phone to the home Wi-Fi so it does not use cellular data."

Short-range wireless that pairs two nearby devices. Example: "Turn on Bluetooth to connect your wireless headphones."

A secret phrase used to unlock an account. Example: "Use a long password with letters, numbers, and symbols."

A newer replacement for passwords that uses your face or fingerprint. Example: "Log in with a passkey — no typing required."

A second check after your password — usually a code texted to your phone. Example: "Turn on 2FA so a stranger with your password still cannot get in."

Like 2FA but with two or more extra checks. Example: "Banks often require MFA: password plus a code plus a fingerprint."

Those puzzles that ask you to pick all the buses to prove you are human. Example: "Solve the CAPTCHA to continue to the site."

A small file a website saves on your device to remember you. Example: "Cookies keep you signed in so you do not log in every visit."

A stash of saved data that helps apps load faster the next time. Example: "Clear the cache if a web page looks stuck on an old version."

The app you use to visit websites, like Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox. Example: "Open your browser and type teksure.com."

A single web page open inside your browser. You can have many open at once. Example: "Open a new tab to search while keeping this page open."

A saved shortcut to a website. Example: "Bookmark your bank so you do not mistype the address."

Saving a file from the internet to your device. Example: "Download the photo to view it later, even without internet."

Sending a file from your device up to the internet or a cloud service. Example: "Upload the photo so your family can see it."

Watching or listening over the internet without keeping a copy. Example: "Netflix is streaming — the movie plays live from the internet."

The pause when a video loads a little ahead so it plays smoothly. Example: "If your video keeps buffering, your internet is slow right now."

A unit for file size. Example: "A phone photo is about 3 MB — roughly one millionth of a gigabyte… no, one thousandth."

A bigger unit — 1,000 MB. Example: "A two-hour movie is about 4 GB."

Online storage that lives on someone else's computers — you reach it over the internet. Example: "Your photos back up to the cloud so losing your phone does not lose them."

Keeping the same info matched across devices. Example: "When your email syncs, new messages appear on both your phone and laptop."

An extra copy of your files in a safe place. Example: "Back up your phone so a dead battery does not wipe out your photos."

When an app or computer suddenly stops working. Example: "The app crashed and closed by itself — reopen it."

When the screen stops responding to taps or clicks. Example: "My phone froze — nothing moves when I tap."

Turning a device off and back on to clear up problems. Example: "Restart your router — it fixes most internet hiccups."

The programs and apps on a device — the instructions, not the physical parts. Example: "Update your software to stay safe from bugs."

The physical parts of a device you can touch — screen, keyboard, camera. Example: "A cracked screen is a hardware problem, not a software one."

The built-in software that runs a piece of hardware, like your router. Example: "A firmware update can patch security holes in your router."

The main software that runs a device — iOS, Android, Windows, macOS. Example: "Keep your OS up to date for the newest safety fixes."

Short for "application" — a small program you install on a phone or computer. Example: "Download the weather app from the App Store."

A mini-view of an app that sits on your home screen. Example: "Add a weather widget so you see the forecast without opening the app."

The little picture that represents an app or file. Example: "Tap the Messages icon to open texts."

The little arrow or blinking line on a computer screen. Example: "Move the cursor to the search box and click."

Pressing the left mouse button once. Example: "Click the blue button to sign in."

Briefly touching the screen with one finger. Example: "Tap the Home button to go back."

Sliding your finger across the screen. Example: "Swipe up from the bottom to close an app."

Using two fingers to zoom in or out on the screen. Example: "Pinch out to make text bigger in a photo."

Moving up or down a long page. Example: "Scroll down to read the rest of the article."

An alert your phone shows for news, texts, or app updates. Example: "Turn off notifications at night to sleep better."

A small window that appears on top of what you are doing. Example: "Close the popup before you type in the form."

Paid marketing that shows up on websites and apps. Example: "Scammy ads sometimes look like real buttons — read carefully."

A browser setting that stops popups from appearing. Example: "Turn on the pop-up blocker to cut down on distractions."

Unwanted junk email, usually selling something or phishing. Example: "Move that message to the spam folder."

A scam message pretending to be a real company to steal your info. Example: "Phishing emails often say your account will be closed — do not click the link."

Any bad software that harms your device or steals data. Example: "Malware can hide in free downloads from shady sites."

A type of malware that spreads from device to device. Example: "An antivirus program scans for viruses and removes them."

Malware disguised as a helpful program. Example: "That fake "cleaner" app turned out to be a trojan."

A digital gatekeeper that blocks risky internet traffic. Example: "Your router has a firewall built in."

A service that hides your internet activity and location. Example: "Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi so strangers cannot snoop."

A number that identifies your device on the internet, like a street address. Example: "Each device on your Wi-Fi has its own IP address."

A website address, like https://www.teksure.com. Example: "Type the URL into the address bar."

Clickable text or an image that takes you to another page. Example: "Tap the blue hyperlink to open the help article."

A secure version of a web address — look for the lock icon. Example: "Your bank site should start with https, not http."

Scrambling data so only the right person can read it. Example: "Text messages in iMessage use encryption end to end."

A short code — usually 4 to 6 numbers — that unlocks a device or card. Example: "Never share your debit card PIN over the phone."

The step of signing into an account with a username and password. Example: "Login to your email to read new messages."

The name you use to sign into an account — often your email. Example: "Your username is the one you type before the password."

Your personal space inside a website or app, tied to your login. Example: "Create an account so your notes save between visits."

Your public info inside an app — name, photo, bio. Example: "Update your profile photo on Facebook."

A recurring monthly or yearly charge for a service. Example: "Netflix is a subscription — cancel any time in your account settings."

A free test period before a paid subscription kicks in. Example: "The 7-day trial will auto-charge your card unless you cancel."

A paid upgrade with extra features. Example: "Spotify Premium removes ads and lets you download songs."

Free to start, with paid add-ons. Example: "Most games are freemium — you can play for free but pay for power-ups."

Software whose code is public and free to use or change. Example: "Firefox is an open-source browser — the code is public."

Software that can answer questions, write text, or make pictures. Example: "AI tools like ChatGPT can help draft an email."

A set of rules a computer follows. Example: "The Facebook algorithm decides which posts you see first."

A website that finds other websites — Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo. Example: "Type your question into the search engine."

Using your phone's cellular data to create Wi-Fi for other devices. Example: "Turn on your hotspot so your laptop can get online."

The box in your home that creates your Wi-Fi network. Example: "Restart your router to fix spotty Wi-Fi."

The box that connects your home to your internet company. Example: "The modem is the one with the cable from the wall."

The name of your Wi-Fi network. Example: "Pick your SSID from the list of nearby networks."

A wired internet connection using a cable. Example: "Ethernet is faster and steadier than Wi-Fi."

A common plug and cable for charging and data. Example: "Charge your phone with the USB cable."

A cable that sends video and sound to a TV or monitor. Example: "Plug the HDMI cable from the laptop into the TV."

A tiny memory card, often used in cameras or some phones. Example: "The SD card holds extra photos the phone does not have room for."

A small card inside your phone that holds your number. Example: "If you switch phones, move the SIM over too."

A digital SIM built into the phone — no plastic card. Example: "Newer iPhones use eSIM only."

Memory that stays even when the device is off — holds the operating system. Example: "ROM keeps your phone ready when you turn it back on."

Short-term memory your device uses while running apps. Example: "More RAM means you can have more apps open without slowdown."

The main brain chip inside a computer or phone. Example: "A faster CPU runs apps more quickly."

A chip made for graphics, like games and video. Example: "A stronger GPU helps video editing run smoothly."

Fast, silent storage inside modern computers. Example: "Laptops with an SSD wake up in seconds."

Storage inside a computer that holds your files — older ones spin, newer ones are SSDs. Example: "The hard drive is full — time to clear out old files."

A measure of camera detail. More MP can mean sharper photos. Example: "The 12 MP camera takes great everyday shots."

How many dots make up a screen or photo. Higher is sharper. Example: "Watch a higher resolution video for a clearer picture."

A sharp video quality — 720p or 1080p. Example: "Most YouTube videos stream in HD."

An even sharper video quality, four times HD. Example: "Many new TVs show 4K movies."

How often a screen redraws per second — higher feels smoother. Example: "A 120Hz phone screen feels extra smooth when you scroll."

The first-time handshake between two Bluetooth devices. Example: "Pair your phone with the car stereo to take calls hands-free."

A square barcode you scan with a phone camera. Example: "Scan the QR code on the menu to see the food list."

Little cartoon pictures you can add to messages. Example: "End your text with a emoji."

A word with # in front used to group posts. Example: "Tap the #travel hashtag to see travel posts."

Marking a photo or post with someone's name so they are linked. Example: "Tag your grandchild in the birthday photo."

Typing @ and a username to ping someone. Example: "@Sara, look at this recipe!"

Responding directly to a message. Example: "Reply to the email so it stays in the same thread."

Sending someone else a copy of a message you got. Example: "Forward the concert invite to your spouse."

A file clipped onto a message — a photo, a PDF, a document. Example: "Open the attachment to see the doctor's note."

An unsent, saved message you can finish later. Example: "Save the email as a draft — finish it after dinner."

A group of files bundled together. Example: "Put all the tax forms in one folder."

A single piece of saved content — a photo, document, or song. Example: "Save the file before you close the window."

A quick way to open something — a tile on your home screen or desk. Example: "Add a shortcut to your bank app on the home screen."

The main screen on a computer where files and shortcuts sit. Example: "Drag the photo onto the desktop to save a copy."

The bar at the bottom of Windows that shows open apps. Example: "Click the little arrow on the taskbar to show hidden icons."

The row of app icons at the bottom of a Mac screen. Example: "Drag an app to the dock to keep it handy."

The menu that opens when you click the Windows logo. Example: "Use the Start menu to find an app you installed."

The Mac app for browsing files — blue face icon in the dock. Example: "Open Finder to look at your downloads."

The Windows app for browsing files — folder icon. Example: "Open File Explorer to copy photos from your camera."

The classic Windows screen for system settings. Example: "Uninstall an old program from the Control Panel."

The app where you change how your device works — Wi-Fi, sound, screen. Example: "Open Settings to increase the text size."