Glossary
Plain-language explanations of everyday tech terms and scam-related terms. Start typing to search.
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Airplane mode
A phone setting that turns off calls, texts, and internet, often used on flights. Turning it on and off can sometimes fix a phone that's acting up.
Antivirus software
A program that scans your device for viruses and other malware and helps remove them.
App (Application)
A program you can download onto your phone, tablet, or computer to do a specific task, like checking email, banking, or playing a game.
App Store
The place on your phone — Apple's App Store or the Google Play Store — where you find and download apps.
Attachment
A file, like a photo or document, added to an email or text message. Be cautious opening attachments from senders you don't recognize.
Authentication
Proving it's really you trying to log in, usually with a password, fingerprint, or a code sent to your phone.
Auto-pay
A setting that automatically pays a bill each month from your bank account or card, without you doing it by hand.
Battery
What powers your device. A percentage or icon usually shows how much charge is left.
Bluetooth
A way for nearby devices — like a phone and hearing aids or headphones — to connect wirelessly without cables.
Bookmark
A saved shortcut to a website you want to easily find again later.
Browser
The app you use to visit websites, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.
Browser history
The list of websites you've visited, saved automatically by your browser.
Cache
Temporary files your browser saves to help websites load faster the next time you visit.
Camera roll / Photos
The app on your phone that stores and organizes the pictures and videos you've taken.
CAPTCHA
A test — like clicking pictures of traffic lights — that websites use to prove you're a human, not an automated program.
Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle
Apps that let you send money directly to another person from your phone. Scammers often ask victims to pay this way because it's hard to get the money back afterward.
Charger / Charging cable
The cord and plug used to add power back into your device's battery.
Cloud / Cloud storage
Storing your files or photos on the internet instead of only on your device, so you can reach them from anywhere.
Contacts
The list of names, phone numbers, and email addresses saved on your device.
Cookie
A small piece of information a website saves on your device to remember you — for example, to keep you logged in.
Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin)
A type of digital money not controlled by a bank or government. Scammers often ask for payment this way because it's very hard to trace or reverse.
CVV
The 3-digit security code on the back of a credit or debit card. Never share it with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.
Data breach
When a company's private information — like passwords or account numbers — gets stolen by hackers.
Direct Message (DM)
A private message sent to just one person on a social media app, instead of a public post everyone can see.
Domain name
The main part of a website address, like "amazon.com." Scammers often use domain names that look almost right but aren't.
Download
Saving a file or program from the internet onto your device.
A message sent electronically, using an address like "yourname@gmail.com." Also refers to the service itself, like Gmail or Yahoo Mail.
Emoji
A small picture or symbol, like a smiley face or thumbs up, used to express feelings in a text or message.
Encryption
Scrambling information so only the intended person can read it — used to keep things like messages and passwords private.
A social media website and app where people share updates, photos, and messages with friends and family.
Firewall
A security tool that blocks unwanted or dangerous traffic from reaching your device or home network.
Gift card scam
A scam where someone asks you to pay with gift cards — iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Steam, any kind — and read them the code off the back. No real company, government agency, or police force is ever paid this way. Once the code has been read out, the money is gone and cannot be traced or returned.
Both a company and the name of the most widely used search engine — "googling" something means looking it up online.
Grandparent scam
A call or message from someone pretending to be your grandchild in trouble — in jail, in an accident, stranded somewhere — who needs money right away and asks you not to tell the rest of the family. The panic and the secrecy are the scam. Hang up and call your grandchild, or another family member, on a number you already have.
Home screen
The main screen on your phone or tablet, showing your apps.
HTTPS / the padlock icon
Shows a website is using a secure, encrypted connection. Look for the padlock icon in your browser, especially before entering personal or payment information.
Icon
A small picture representing an app, file, or button you can tap or click.
A social media app focused on sharing photos and short videos.
Internet
The global network that connects computers and devices so they can share information, websites, and messages.
Link (URL)
An address that takes you to a website or webpage when you click it. Hovering over a link (without clicking) often shows you where it really leads.
Login credentials
Your username and password together — the information used to prove it's you when signing into an account.
Malware
Short for "malicious software" — any program designed to harm your device, steal your information, or spy on you.
Notification
An alert on your phone or computer letting you know something happened, like a new message or email.
One-Time Code (OTP) & Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
An extra layer of login security: after your password, you're sent a one-time code by text or app to confirm it's really you. Never share this code with anyone — real companies never ask for it.
Operating system
The main software that runs your device, like Windows or macOS on a computer, or iOS or Android on a phone.
Password manager
An app that safely stores and remembers your passwords for you, so you don't have to reuse the same one everywhere.
Phishing
A scam where a fake email, text, or website tries to trick you into giving up personal information by pretending to be a real company or person.
Pop-up
A small window that suddenly appears on your screen, often an ad. Be especially cautious of pop-ups warning about "viruses" that ask you to call a number or download something.
Prize and lottery scam
A letter, text, or call saying you have won a prize, lottery, or sweepstake, usually one you do not remember entering — with a fee to pay first, described as taxes, shipping, or a release charge. The fee is real and the prize is not. Real winners never pay to win.
Public Wi-Fi
Free wireless internet available in places like coffee shops or airports. Avoid entering passwords or banking information while connected, since it's less secure than your home network.
QR code
A square, checkerboard-looking code you scan with your phone's camera to open a link. Scammers sometimes place fake QR codes to send you to malicious websites.
Ransomware
A type of malware that locks your files and demands payment to get them back.
Red flags
The warning signs that a message is a scam. Three show up again and again: urgency (“act now”, “before it’s too late”), secrecy (“don’t tell anyone”), and a payment that cannot be undone — gift cards, a wire, a payment app, or cryptocurrency. Any one of the three is reason to slow down and check with someone you trust.
Robocall
An automated phone call using a recorded voice, often used for scams or spam.
Router
The device in your home that connects your Wi-Fi to the internet.
Screen sharing / Remote access
Letting someone else see or control your device from far away. Scammers often request this while pretending to be tech support — never give remote access to someone who contacted you first.
Screenshot
A picture taken of whatever is currently on your screen, useful for saving or sharing what you're seeing.
Search engine
A website — like Google or Bing — used to search for information on the internet.
Settings
The app or menu where you can change how your device works, like volume, Wi-Fi, or notifications.
Smishing
Phishing done through text messages (SMS) instead of email.
Social engineering
Tricking someone into giving up information or access by manipulating their trust or emotions, rather than hacking their device directly.
Social media
Websites and apps like Facebook, Instagram, or X (Twitter), where people share updates and connect with others — also a common place for scams.
Software update
A download that fixes problems or improves an app or device. Updates are often important for security, so don't ignore reminders from official sources.
Spam
Unwanted messages, usually sent in bulk, often advertising or scams.
Spoofing
Faking a phone number, email address, or caller ID to make it look like a message is coming from someone else — like your bank or a family member.
Spyware
Software secretly installed on your device to monitor what you do, often without your knowledge.
Tap / Swipe / Pinch to zoom
Basic touchscreen actions: tapping selects something, swiping slides the screen, and pinching two fingers together or apart zooms out or in.
Text message (SMS)
A short written message sent between phones, separate from internet apps like WhatsApp or iMessage.
Username
The name you use, along with a password, to log into an account.
Video call
A phone or computer call where you can see the other person, using apps like FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp.
Virus
A type of malware that can spread from one device to another and cause damage.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A tool that makes your internet connection more private and secure, especially useful on public Wi-Fi.
Website
A collection of pages you can visit on the internet, usually reached by typing an address or clicking a link.
A free app for messaging, calling, and video calling that works over the internet instead of your phone plan.
Wi-Fi
The wireless way your devices connect to the internet at home or in public places.
Wire transfer
Sending money directly from one bank account to another, often used internationally. Once sent, it's very hard to reverse — a common scammer payment request.
Zoom
An app commonly used for video calls, especially for meetings or group calls.