Discovering Computers Chapter 4 Glossary

Discovering Computers Chapter 4 Glossary ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT Account that enables access to all files, installs programs, and specifies settings ASTERISKS Displays when entering a private password BUFFER Segment of memory where items are placed while waiting to be transferred DEFRAGMENTING Reorganizing the files on a disk DISK CLEANUP Detects and corrects physical and logical problems on a hard disk DRIVER Program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a device ENCRYPTION Process of encoding data and information into an unreadable form FILE MANAGER A utility that performs functions related to file management JOB An operation the processor manages LINUX Open-source operating system MAC OSX The latest version of the Macintosh operating system MEDIA PLAYER Program that allows you to view images, listen to audio, watch video MULTIUSER Operating system that enables two or more users to run programs simultaneously NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR Person overseeing network operations OPERATING SYSTEM Programs that coordinate the activities among computer hardware resources PASSWORD Private combination of characters associated with a user name PHISHING A scam in which a perpetrator attempts to obtain personal information PLATFORM The operating system that a computer uses PLUG AND PLAY The operating system automatically configures new devices QUEUE Where multiple print jobs line up within the buffer SCREENSAVER Causes a monitor's screen to display a moving image SEARCH UTILITY Program that attempts to locate a file based on specified criteria SERVICE PACK Free downloadable updates

SPAM Unsolicited e-mail SPOOLING Sending print jobs to a buffer instead of immediately to the printer SPYWARE Secret program that collects information about a user TROJAN HORSE Malicious-logic program that hides within a legitimate program UNINSTALLER Utility that removes a program and its associated entries in the system files UNIX A multitasking operating system VIRTUAL MEMORY Concept where hard disk functions as additional RAM VIRUS A potentially damaging computer program WARM BOOT Process of restarting a computer that is already powered on WEB FILTERING SOFTWARE A program that restricts access to certain material on the Web WINDOWS READYBOOST Can allocate up to 4 GB of removable flash memory as additional memory cache WORM Malicious-logic program that copies itself repeatedly