All Articles
Plain-English explainers for tech and internet terms — 21 articles and counting.
What Is Wi-Fi and How Does It Work?
Wi-Fi lets devices connect to a network wirelessly using radio waves. Here is how it works, what the different standards mean, and why your signal drops.
What Is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
Two-factor authentication adds a second step to logging in, making it much harder for someone to access your account even if they have your password.
What Is 'the Cloud' in Simple Terms?
The cloud means storing or running things on someone else's servers instead of your own device. Here is what that actually means and why it matters.
What Is Phishing? How to Recognize and Avoid It
Phishing is a scam that tricks you into giving up passwords or personal information by impersonating a trusted source. Here is how it works and how to spot it.
What Is Metadata?
Metadata is data that describes other data. Here is what that means in practice, where metadata exists in everyday files, and why it matters for privacy.
What Is Malware and How Does It Get on Your Device?
Malware is software designed to damage, steal from, or take control of your device. Here is what the main types do and how to avoid them.
What Is Localhost?
Localhost refers to your own computer as a network destination. Here is what it means, why developers use it, and what the address 127.0.0.1 has to do with it.
What Is HTTPS and Why Does It Matter?
HTTPS encrypts the connection between your browser and a website. Here is what that means, what the padlock icon actually tells you, and when it matters most.
What Is Encryption and How Does It Protect Your Data?
Encryption scrambles data so only authorized parties can read it. Here is how it works, where you already use it, and what it cannot protect against.
What Is DNS and How Does It Work?
DNS is the system that turns website names into addresses your computer can use. Here is how it works, in plain English.
What Is Cache and Why Do People Say to Clear It?
Cache is stored data that helps things load faster. Here is what it actually is, why clearing it fixes problems, and when you should bother.
What Is Bluetooth and How Is It Different from Wi-Fi?
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology for connecting devices directly to each other. Here is how it works and how it differs from Wi-Fi.
What Is Bandwidth and How Is It Different from Speed?
Bandwidth is how much data can move through a connection at once. Here is what it means, how it differs from latency, and why it matters for streaming and gaming.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address is your device's identifier on a network. Here is what that means, the difference between IPv4 and IPv6, and why your address changes.
What Is an API? A Plain-English Explanation
An API lets two pieces of software talk to each other. Here is what that means, with real examples that do not require a programming background to understand.
What Is a VPN and What Does It Actually Do?
A plain-English explanation of what a VPN is, how it works, and when you actually need one — without the marketing hype.
What Is a Username and How Is It Different from a Password?
A username identifies who you are on a system. A password proves it. Here is how they work together and what makes a good username versus a good password.
What Is a Router and What Does It Do?
A router connects your home network to the internet and manages traffic between your devices. Here is how it works and what all those settings actually mean.
What Is a Firewall and What Does It Protect Against?
A firewall monitors and filters network traffic based on rules. Here is what that means, the difference between hardware and software firewalls, and what they cannot do.
What Is a Cookie (in Web Browsing)?
Browser cookies are small files websites store on your device. Here is what they actually contain, why they exist, and what 'accepting cookies' really means.
What Is a Web Browser and How Does It Work?
A browser retrieves and displays web pages. Here is what happens between typing a URL and seeing a page, and what differences between browsers actually matter.