The words that come up when something's wrong with your computer, without the jargon that usually comes with them.
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Malware is any software designed to harm your computer or steal from you. A virus is just one type of malware. Antivirus software scans for it and removes it. See my recommended picks.
A second copy of your files, kept somewhere separate from the original, so a computer breaking, getting stolen, or getting encrypted by ransomware doesn't cost you everything on it. More on how to actually do this.
How much data can move through your internet connection at once. More bandwidth means faster downloads and smoother video calls, not necessarily a faster-feeling computer.
The software built into your motherboard that starts up before Windows does. It's where you'd change things like boot order or check hardware temperatures before the operating system even loads.
Software that comes preinstalled on a new computer that you never asked for and rarely need, often trial software or manufacturer-branded utilities.
The program you use to visit websites (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, Safari). Not the same thing as "the internet," even though the two get used interchangeably a lot.
Temporary files a program or browser keeps around so it doesn't have to redo work it's already done. Usually safe to clear if something's acting up, at the cost of things loading slightly slower the first time again.
Files saved on someone else's computer (a server), reachable over the internet instead of sitting only on your own hard drive. Dropbox, OneDrive, and Proton Drive are all cloud storage.
Small bits of data websites save in your browser to remember you between visits, like staying logged in or remembering what's in your cart. Not inherently dangerous, though some are used to track you across sites.
Software that lets your operating system talk to a specific piece of hardware, like a graphics card or a printer. An outdated or missing driver is a common cause of hardware acting strange.
The date a company stops providing security updates for a product. Using something past its end-of-life date means any new vulnerabilities found in it never get patched. See what this means for Windows 10.
A small add-on you install into your browser to add a feature, like an ad blocker or a password manager. Convenient, but each one also has access to what you do in your browser, so it's worth only installing ones you trust.
Wiping a device back to how it was when it left the factory, removing your files, accounts, and installed programs. Different from a normal reinstall, which can sometimes keep more of your setup.
Software (or hardware) that controls what's allowed to send and receive data over your network, blocking unwanted incoming connections. Windows has one built in and turned on by default.
The numerical address that identifies your device on a network or the internet, similar in spirit to a postal address. Most home devices share one public IP address through the router.
The core software that runs everything else on your computer, like Windows, macOS, or Linux. Every other program you install runs on top of it.
Software that generates and remembers a different, strong password for every account, so you don't have to. See my recommended picks.
A fake email, text, or website designed to trick you into handing over a password or payment details by impersonating someone you'd trust. More on how to spot one.
Short-term working space your computer uses while it's running programs. More RAM generally means more programs can run smoothly at once, and it clears completely every time you shut down.
Two kinds of storage drive. An SSD (solid-state drive) has no moving parts and is much faster. An HDD (hard disk drive) is the older, slower, spinning-disk kind. Swapping an HDD for an SSD is one of the single biggest speed upgrades an older computer can get.
A second proof of identity beyond just your password, usually a code sent to your phone or generated by an app, so a stolen password alone isn't enough to get into your account.
An update fixes or patches what's already installed. An upgrade moves you to an entirely newer version, like going from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
A tool that routes your internet traffic through another server, hiding your real location and encrypting your traffic from your local network or internet provider. See my recommended picks.
Windows' own built-in package manager: a way to install and update programs from the command line without hunting down installers yourself. It's what powers the install script on my software page.