Glossary & Links!

Avatar – A graphic alter ego you create to use online; can be a 3D character or a simple icon, human or whimsical.
Badware – bad software; includes viruses and spyware that steal your personal information, send spam, and commit fraud. (See malware.)
Backing up – making copies of computer data
in case something happens to your machine
or operating system and the information is lost.
Blocking software – A program to filter content
from the internet and restrict access to sites or
content based on specific criteria.
Blog – Short for “web log,” a site where you
regularly post personal observations.
Buddy list – A list of people who you can chat
with through an instant messaging program.

Chat room – An online space where you can
meet and exchange information through
messages displayed on the screens of others
who are in the “room.”
COPPA – The children’s Online Privacy Protection
Act; it gives parents control over what information
websites can collect from their kids under 13.
Cyberbullying – bullying or harassment that
takes place online; includes posting embarrassing
pictures or unkind comments on a person’s
profile or sending them via instant message
or email.
Firewall – hardware or software that blocks
unauthorized communications to or from your
computer; helps keep hackers from using your
computer to send out your personal information
without your permission.
GPS – “global Positioning System,” a global
navigation satellite system that is used in
cars or phones to determine location and
provide directions.
Hacking – breaking into a computer or network
by evading or disabling security measures.

Instant messaging (IM) – enables two or more
people to chat in real time, and notifies you when
someone on your buddy list is online.
Intellectual property (IP) – creative
products that have commercial value, including
copyrighted property like books, photos,
and songs.
Limited user account – An online setting
that grants someone access to some of the
computer’s functions and programs, but allows
only an administrator to make changes that
affect the computer.
Malware – Short for “malicious software”;
includes viruses and spyware that steal personal
information, send spam, and commit fraud.
(See badware.)
Password – A secret word or phrase used with
a user name to grant access to your computer
or protect sensitive information online.
Patch – Software downloaded to fix or update
a computer program.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing – Allows
you to share files online—like music, movies,
or games—through an informal network of
computers running the same sharing software.
PDA – “Personal Digital Assistant,” can be used
as a mobile phone, web browser, or portable
media player.
Personal information – Data that can be used
to identify you, like your name, address, birth
date, or Social Security number.
Phishing – When scam artists send spam,
pop-ups, or text messages to trick you
into disclosing personal, financial, or other
sensitive information.
Privacy settings – controls available on many
social networking and other websites that you can
set to limit who can access your profile and what
information visitors can see.
Profile – A personal page you create on a social
networking or other website to share information
about yourself and communicate with others.

Security software – Identifies and protects
against threats or vulnerabilities that may
compromise your computer or your personal
information; includes anti-virus and anti-spyware
software and firewalls.
Sexting – Sending or forwarding sexually explicit
pictures or messages from a mobile phone.
Smart phone – A mobile phone that offers
advanced capabilities and features like a web
connection and a portable media player.
SMS – “Short messaging Service,” technology
that allows text messages to be sent from one
mobile phone to another.
Social networking site – A website that allows
you to build a profile and connect with others.
Spyware – Software installed on your computer
without your consent to monitor or control your
computer use.
Texting – Sending short messages from one
mobile phone to another.

Tween – A child between 8 and 12 years old.
User name – An alias used with a password to
grant access to accounts and websites.
Video calling – Internet services that allow users
to communicate using webcams.
Virtual world – A computer-simulated online
“place” where people use avatars—graphic
characters—to represent themselves.
Virus – malware that sneaks onto your
computer—often through an email attachment—
and then makes copies of itself.
Webcam – A video camera that can stream live
video on the web; may be built into the computer
or purchased separately.


Links!
OnGuardOnline.gov – Onguard Online provides
practical tips from the federal government and the
technology community to help you guard against
internet fraud, secure your computers, and protect
your privacy.
FTC.gov/idtheft – The federal Trade
commission’s website has information to help you
deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.
CommonSenseMedia.org – common Sense
media is dedicated to improving the lives of
kids and families by providing the trustworthy
information, education, and independent voice they
need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
GetNetWise.org – A project of the Internet
education foundation, the getNetWise coalition
provides internet users the resources to make
informed decisions about their and their family’s
use of the internet.
CyberBully411.org – cyberbully411 is an
effort to provide resources for youth who have
questions about or have been targeted by online
harassment

ConnectSafely.org – connectSafely, a project
of Tech Parenting group, is for parents, teens,
educators and advocates for learning about safe,
civil use of Web 2.0 together.
iKeepSafe.org – iKeepSafe educational
resources teach children of all ages, in a fun,
age-appropriate way, the basic rules of
internet safety, ethics, and the healthy use of
connected technologies.
NetFamilyNews.org – A nonprofit news service
for parents, educators, and policymakers who
want to keep up on the latest technology news
and commentary about online youth, in the form
of a daily blog or weekly email newsletter.
NetSmartz.org – The NetSmartz Workshop is an
interactive, educational safety resource from the
National center for missing & exploited children.
WiredSafety.org – WiredSafety provides help,
information, and education to internet and mobile
device users of all ages.
StaySafeOnline.org – The National cyber Security
Alliance seeks to create a culture of cyber security
and safety awareness by providing knowledge and
tools to prevent cyber crime and attacks.