Plain-language explanations for words that tech people use without explaining
Page type: Reference · Bookmark this page — you’ll come back to it
If someone used a word you didn’t understand and you ended up here — welcome. This page exists precisely for that moment.
Every term below is explained in plain language, the way a knowledgeable friend would explain it — not the way a manual would. No assumed knowledge. No condescension.
Use the sections below to find what you’re looking for, or press Ctrl + F on a computer (or tap the search icon in your browser on a phone) and type the word you’re looking for to jump straight to it.
Your device
App Short for application. A programme on your phone or computer that does one specific job — like a tool in a toolbox. WhatsApp is an app. So is Google Maps, your banking app, and the camera. → See: Apps — what they are and how to get them safely
Browser The app you use to visit websites. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Safari are browsers. Think of it as your car for getting around the internet — without it you can’t go anywhere online. → See: Using a browser
Cache Stored copies of websites and images your browser has saved to make pages load faster on your next visit. Occasionally the cache causes problems — clearing it is a common first fix when a website behaves strangely.
Cursor The small arrow that moves around your computer screen when you move the mouse or touchpad. It changes shape depending on what it’s pointing at — an arrow for general use, a hand for clickable links, a thin line for text areas.
Desktop Two meanings depending on context. (1) A desktop computer — a computer that sits on a desk with a separate screen, keyboard and mouse, as opposed to a laptop. (2) The home screen of a Windows computer — the background image with icons on it that you see when you first log in.
Device A general word for any piece of technology — a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. When someone says “your device” they mean whichever of these you’re using.
Driver A small programme that allows your computer to communicate with a piece of hardware — a printer, a mouse, a keyboard. You rarely need to think about drivers unless a device isn’t working and a technician asks whether the driver is installed.
Hard drive / Storage The part of your computer or phone where everything is permanently saved — your files, photos, apps and the operating system itself. When your phone says “storage almost full” it means the hard drive is nearly out of space.
Hardware The physical parts of a computer or phone — the screen, keyboard, battery, camera. As opposed to software, which is the programmes and apps. If you can touch it, it’s hardware.
Home screen The main starting screen on your phone — the one with your app icons and wallpaper that appears when you unlock it. The equivalent of the desktop on a computer.
Icon A small picture that represents an app, file or folder on your screen. Tapping or clicking it opens what it represents.
Keyboard shortcut A combination of keys pressed together that performs an action instantly — without using the mouse. Ctrl + Z undoes your last action. Ctrl + S saves your work. Ctrl + C copies selected text. Learning a few shortcuts makes computer use significantly faster. → See: Your keyboard — the keys you actually need
Laptop A portable computer with the screen, keyboard, touchpad and battery all built into one unit that folds closed. Runs on battery when not plugged in, making it usable during load-shedding. → See: Meet your computer
Memory (RAM) Temporary working space your computer uses while running programmes. Different from storage — RAM holds what the computer is actively doing right now, storage holds everything permanently. When a computer slows down with many programmes open, it’s often because RAM is full.
Monitor The screen of a desktop computer — the separate display unit that sits on the desk. On a laptop the monitor is the screen built into the lid.
Mouse A handheld device you move across a desk surface to control the cursor on screen. Has a left button, right button and scroll wheel. → See: Using a mouse and touchpad
Operating system The core software that runs everything on your device. Windows is the operating system on most computers. Android is the operating system on most South African smartphones. iOS is Apple’s operating system for iPhones. Everything else runs on top of it.
Reboot / Restart Switching the device fully off and back on again. Fixes a surprising number of everyday problems by clearing out small software glitches. The first thing any technician will ask you to try.
Screenshot A photograph of whatever is currently on your screen, saved as an image to your gallery. Taken on Android by pressing the power button and volume down simultaneously. → See: Getting to know your phone
Software Programmes, apps and operating systems — the non-physical parts of a computer or phone. As opposed to hardware, which is the physical parts. If you can’t touch it, it’s software.
Tablet A flat touchscreen device larger than a phone but smaller than a laptop — like an iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab. Works similarly to a phone but with a bigger screen. Usually no built-in phone capability.
Touchpad The flat rectangular area built into a laptop keyboard that you slide your finger across to move the cursor. Serves the same function as a mouse. → See: Using a mouse and touchpad
USB / USB port A standard connection type used to plug devices into each other — a phone charger, mouse, flash drive or keyboard. The rectangular hole on the side of a laptop or computer is a USB port. USB-C is a newer, smaller oval-shaped version.
The internet and websites
Address bar The long field at the top of a browser window where you type web addresses. Also shows the address of the page you’re currently on. → See: Using a browser
Bandwidth The amount of data that can travel through an internet connection at one time. Higher bandwidth means faster internet. Often used interchangeably with internet speed.
Bookmark A saved shortcut to a website you want to return to — like a physical bookmark in a book. Press Ctrl + D in Chrome to bookmark the current page. → See: Using a browser
Broadband A type of fast, always-on internet connection — as opposed to the old dial-up connections that used a phone line. Home fibre and ADSL are broadband connections. Most South African home internet is broadband.
Cloud Storage or services provided over the internet rather than on your own device. When you save photos to Google Photos or files to Google Drive, they’re stored in the cloud — on Google’s servers — rather than only on your phone or computer. Accessible from any device with internet access.
Cookie A small file a website saves on your device to remember things about you — your preferences, whether you’re logged in, what’s in your shopping basket. The pop-ups asking you to “accept cookies” are websites asking permission to save these files. Accepting is generally safe on legitimate websites.
Domain The main part of a web address that identifies a website — google in google.co.za, or techforyou in techforyou.co.za. The .co.za part is the domain extension, indicating a South African commercial website.
Download Receiving data from the internet to your device. When you install an app, save a photo from a website, or receive a file — you’re downloading. As opposed to uploading, which is sending data from your device to the internet.
Fibre A type of home internet connection that uses thin glass or plastic cables to transmit data using light. Significantly faster and more reliable than older copper cable connections. Increasingly available across South African urban and suburban areas.
Homepage The main opening page of a website — the page you land on when you type the site’s address without specifying a particular page. Also refers to the page your browser opens to automatically when you launch it.
HTTP / HTTPS The protocol — the set of rules — used to transfer data between your browser and a website. HTTPS (with the S) is the secure version — the connection is encrypted. Always check for HTTPS and a padlock icon before entering personal information on any website. → See: Using a browser
Hyperlink / Link A piece of text, button or image on a webpage that takes you to another page when you click or tap it. Usually shown in blue underlined text, though links can look like buttons or images too.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) The company that provides your home internet connection — Telkom, Afrihost, Vox, MWEB, Rain and others. You pay your ISP a monthly fee for your home Wi-Fi connection.
IP address A unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet — like a postal address for your device. You rarely need to know your IP address for everyday use.
Router The box in your home with flashing lights that receives your internet connection and broadcasts it wirelessly as Wi-Fi. Needs electricity to work — load-shedding switches it off. → See: What is the internet?
Server A powerful computer that stores data and sends it to other computers on request. When you visit a website, your browser requests the page from the website’s server, which sends it back to your screen. Servers run constantly — they’re what makes websites always available.
Streaming Watching or listening to content delivered continuously over the internet rather than downloading it first. YouTube, Netflix and Spotify all use streaming. Requires a continuous internet connection and uses data throughout — unlike a downloaded file which only uses data once.
URL Uniform Resource Locator — the technical name for a web address. The full address of a specific page on the internet, like https://www.techforyou.co.za/where-to-start. In everyday conversation, “URL” and “web address” mean the same thing.
Upload Sending data from your device to the internet. When you post a photo on Facebook, send an email attachment, or save a file to Google Drive — you’re uploading.
Wi-Fi Wireless internet connection broadcast from a router. Connects your device to the internet without a physical cable. Doesn’t use your mobile data bundle. Has limited range — typically 10 to 20 metres from the router indoors. → See: Understanding data and Wi-Fi
Attachment A file sent along with an email — a document, photo, PDF or other file. Shown as a paperclip icon on most email apps. Never open attachments from senders you don’t recognise. → See: Setting up your first Gmail address
BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) An email field where you can add recipients who receive the email but whose addresses are hidden from everyone else. Used when emailing a group where recipients don’t know each other and their addresses should remain private.
CC (Carbon Copy) An email field for additional recipients who should receive a copy of the email but are not the primary addressee. Everyone can see who has been CC’d.
Draft An email you’ve started writing but haven’t sent yet. Gmail saves drafts automatically so you can come back to them.
Inbox The main folder in your email where received messages arrive. Unread messages are shown in bold.
Phishing A scam email — or message — designed to look like it’s from a legitimate organisation in order to trick you into revealing personal information or clicking a harmful link. The word comes from “fishing” — the scammer casts a line and hopes you take the bait. → See: Spotting a scam
Signature A block of text automatically added to the bottom of every email you send — typically your name, phone number and sometimes your job title. Set it up once in Gmail settings and it appears on every email automatically.
Spam Unwanted or unsolicited email — junk mail for your inbox. Gmail automatically filters most spam into a dedicated Spam folder. Check it occasionally as legitimate emails sometimes end up there by mistake.
Subject line The brief description of an email’s topic that appears in the recipient’s inbox before they open the email. A clear, descriptive subject line helps the recipient understand what the email is about and makes your emails easier to find later.
Mobile phones
Airplane mode A setting that turns off all wireless connections on your phone simultaneously — calls, SMS, mobile data, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Required on aircraft during flight. Also useful for saving battery or stopping all notifications temporarily. Access it by swiping down from the top of your screen.
Android The operating system used on most South African smartphones — Samsung, Huawei, Oppo and many others. Made by Google. The alternative is iOS, which runs on iPhones.
APK Android Package Kit — a file format used to install apps on Android phones outside of the Google Play Store. Never install APK files sent to you by anyone. This is the most common way harmful software spreads on South African phones. → See: Apps — what they are and how to get them safely
Bluetooth A short-range wireless connection technology used to connect devices to each other — wireless earphones to a phone, for example. Range is typically around 10 metres. Accessed from the quick settings panel by swiping down from the top of your screen.
Data bundle A set amount of mobile data purchased from your network — Vodacom, MTN, Cell C or Telkom — that allows your phone to access the internet. Measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). When the bundle runs out, internet access stops until you purchase more. → See: Understanding data and Wi-Fi
GB (Gigabyte) A unit of digital data. One gigabyte equals approximately 1 000 megabytes. Data bundles are typically sold in gigabytes — a 1GB bundle, a 5GB bundle and so on. → See: Understanding data and Wi-Fi
iOS Apple’s operating system for iPhones and iPads. The alternative to Android. Functions very similarly to Android for everyday use but the settings and menus are in different places.
MB (Megabyte) A unit of digital data — smaller than a gigabyte. A WhatsApp voice note uses about 1MB. A web page uses 1–3MB. A minute of YouTube video uses 15–20MB. → See: Understanding data and Wi-Fi
Mobile data Internet access through your mobile network rather than Wi-Fi. Uses your data bundle. Works almost everywhere there is network coverage — including during load-shedding when your home Wi-Fi router has lost power. → See: Understanding data and Wi-Fi
Notification An alert from an app that appears on your screen — a banner, a sound or a badge on the app icon. WhatsApp messages, missed calls, app updates and news alerts all arrive as notifications. Can be managed per app in your phone’s Settings.
OTP (One-Time PIN) A temporary numerical code sent to your phone via SMS by your bank or another service to verify your identity during a transaction or login. Valid for only a few minutes. Never share your OTP with anyone — not even someone claiming to be from your bank. → See: Spotting a scam
Play Store Google’s official app store for Android phones — the only safe place to download apps. Has a colourful triangle icon. Every app in the Play Store has been reviewed by Google before being made available. → See: Apps — what they are and how to get them safely
Roaming Using your South African mobile number and data bundle while in another country. Roaming charges can be very expensive — check with your network before travelling internationally and consider buying a local SIM card at your destination instead.
SIM card A small chip inside your phone that connects it to your mobile network. Contains your phone number and network subscription information. Without a SIM your phone cannot make calls, send SMS messages or use mobile data.
SIM swap The process of transferring a phone number from one SIM card to another — legitimate when done in person at a network store with your ID. Fraudulent SIM swaps are carried out by criminals who impersonate you to get a new SIM with your number, allowing them to intercept your banking OTPs. Never agree to a SIM swap requested by someone who contacts you. → See: Getting to know your phone
USSD code A short code dialled like a phone number — starting with * and ending with # — that connects you to your network’s menu system. Used to check data balances, buy bundles and access network services without needing internet. For example *111# for Vodacom. → See: Understanding data and Wi-Fi
Online safety and security
Antivirus Software designed to detect and remove malicious programmes from your device. Windows computers come with Windows Defender built in — a capable antivirus at no extra cost. On Android, the Google Play Protect system provides basic protection. → See: Updates and antivirus
Encryption The process of scrambling data so that only the intended recipient can read it. WhatsApp messages are encrypted end-to-end — only the sender and receiver can read them, not WhatsApp itself. The HTTPS padlock on websites indicates an encrypted connection. → See: Using a browser
Firewall A security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic on your computer. Windows includes a built-in firewall that is active by default. You rarely need to interact with it directly.
Hacker / Hacking Gaining unauthorised access to a computer system or account. In everyday use, “my account was hacked” means someone gained access to it without permission — usually through a stolen password, phishing scam, or data breach.
Malware Short for malicious software — any programme designed to damage, disrupt or gain unauthorised access to a device. Viruses, ransomware and spyware are all types of malware. Most commonly spread through APK files sent via WhatsApp, email attachments, and fake download links. → See: Apps — what they are and how to get them safely
Password manager An app that securely stores all your passwords in one encrypted place, accessible with a single master password. Removes the need to remember multiple passwords. Reputable free options include Bitwarden and Google Password Manager. → See: Why passwords matter
Phishing → See: Email section above and Spotting a scam
Privacy settings Controls within an app or website that determine who can see your information and activity. Most social media platforms have privacy settings that limit who can see your posts and personal details. Worth reviewing on any account you use regularly.
Ransomware A type of malware that locks you out of your device or files and demands payment — a ransom — to restore access. Spread primarily through malicious email attachments and APK files. Prevented by keeping software updated, not opening unexpected attachments, and only installing apps from official sources.
Spyware Malicious software that secretly monitors your activity — keystrokes, passwords, browsing — and sends the information to criminals. Installed through the same routes as other malware.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) An extra layer of security that requires two forms of verification to access an account — typically your password plus a code sent to your phone. Even if someone steals your password, they can’t access your account without also having your phone. Enabled in the security settings of most major services and strongly recommended for email and banking accounts.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) A service that encrypts your internet connection and hides your location online. Used by privacy-conscious users and by businesses to allow remote work. Not necessary for everyday home users but useful when using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities.
Virus A type of malware that attaches itself to files and spreads when those files are shared. The word is often used loosely to mean any malicious software. → See: Updates and antivirus
Everyday tech terms
Backup A copy of your important files stored somewhere separate from your main device — on Google Drive, a USB flash drive, or an external hard drive. If your device is lost, stolen or damaged, a backup means your files are not lost with it. → See: Looking after your computer
Bluetooth → See: Mobile phones section above
Cloud storage → See: Cloud in the internet section above
Crash When a programme or device stops working unexpectedly and closes or freezes. Restarting the programme or device is the first response. Crashes are common and rarely indicate serious damage.
Default The setting or option that is automatically selected if you don’t change anything. The default browser on most Windows computers is Microsoft Edge. You can change defaults in Settings.
Flash drive / Memory stick / Thumb drive A small portable storage device that plugs into a USB port. Used to transfer files between computers or as a simple backup. Available in various storage sizes from most stationery and electronics shops. → See: Looking after your computer
Freeze When a device or programme stops responding to input — the screen is on but nothing happens when you click or tap. Wait 30 seconds first. If still frozen, try Ctrl + Alt + Delete on a computer or force-restart a phone by holding the power button. → See: Switching on, switching off
Google Drive Google’s free cloud storage service — 15GB available with every Google account. Store documents, photos and other files online and access them from any device. → See: Looking after your computer and Setting up your first Gmail address
Google Photos Google’s free service for backing up and organising your phone’s photos automatically. Backs up every photo taken on your phone to your Google account over Wi-Fi. Accessible from any device.
Hotspot Using your phone’s mobile data connection to provide Wi-Fi for another device — a laptop, for example. Also called tethering. Your phone acts as a router. Uses your data bundle and battery. Activated in Settings → Connections → Mobile hotspot.
In-app purchase A payment made inside an app — typically a game — to unlock features, remove ads or buy virtual items. The app itself is free to download but charges for extras. Watch out for these on devices used by children.
Load time How long a website or app takes to fully appear on screen. Affected by internet speed, the complexity of the page, and whether your device’s cache already has parts of it stored.
Log in / Sign in Entering your username (usually your email address) and password to access an account. The process that confirms to a service that you are who you claim to be.
Log out / Sign out Ending your session on a service — telling it you’re done and closing your access. Important on shared computers — always log out of banking and email before leaving a computer that others use.
Notification → See: Mobile phones section above
Offline Not connected to the internet. Some apps and features work offline — Google Maps with downloaded maps, for example. Others require a constant connection. During load-shedding, offline capability becomes particularly relevant.
PIN Personal Identification Number — a numerical code used to verify identity. Your phone lock screen PIN, your bank card PIN, and the PIN for a specific app all serve this purpose. Never share any PIN with anyone. → See: Why passwords matter
Selfie A photograph taken of yourself using the front-facing camera on your phone. The front camera is specifically designed for this purpose with a wider angle lens. Switch to it in your camera app by tapping the rotating arrow icon.
Settings The control panel for your device or app — where you adjust how things work, manage security, connect to Wi-Fi, manage storage and customise your experience. On Android: the gear icon on your home screen or notification bar. On Windows: the gear icon in the Start menu.
Sync Short for synchronise — automatically keeping the same information up to date across multiple devices. If you save a contact on your phone and it appears on your computer, that’s sync in action. Google accounts sync contacts, calendars and other data automatically.
Update A newer version of software — an app, your phone’s operating system, or Windows — released by the developer to fix problems, add features or patch security vulnerabilities. Keeping your device updated is one of the most effective security habits. → See: Updates and antivirus and Looking after your computer
Username The name or identifier you use to log into a service. Often your email address, sometimes a name you chose when creating the account.
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