| Standard speed unit | Mbps (megabits per second) |
| Latency threshold for smooth video calls | Under 150 ms is generally acceptable (ITU-T G.114 recommendation) |
| Wi-Fi current mainstream generation | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) (Wi-Fi Alliance) |
| HTTPS encryption standard | TLS (Transport Layer Security) |
The Words That Keep Showing Up
Tech vocabulary leaks into everyday life constantly — on your phone bill, your router's settings page, a streaming service's FAQ, or a news story about a data breach. Most people recognize the words without knowing exactly what they mean. This reference is designed to fix that.
The terms below cover the concepts that come up most often for ordinary device owners, internet subscribers, and anyone navigating a world full of connected gadgets. No engineering background required.
Bandwidth
The maximum data-transfer capacity of a connection, measured in megabits or gigabits per second. More bandwidth means more data can move simultaneously without slowdowns.
Latency
The time delay — measured in milliseconds — between sending a request and receiving a response. Low latency is critical for video calls, gaming, and other real-time applications.
Encryption
A process that converts readable data into a scrambled format that only authorized parties can decode. It protects sensitive information in transit and at rest.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A service that creates an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server, masking your IP address and protecting data on untrusted networks like public Wi-Fi.
Firmware
Embedded software that controls the basic operations of a hardware device. Routers, smart appliances, and peripherals all use firmware, which manufacturers update to fix bugs and security issues.
IP Address
A numerical identifier assigned to every device on a network. Public IP addresses identify your network to the internet; private IP addresses identify individual devices within your home network.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
A login security method requiring two forms of verification — typically a password plus a one-time code sent to your phone — making unauthorized access significantly harder.
Phishing
A deceptive attack in which someone impersonates a trusted entity to trick a user into revealing credentials or clicking a malicious link, most often via email or text message.
Connectivity and Speed Terms
Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data your connection can move in a given moment — think of it as the width of a pipe. A wider pipe moves more water at once. A higher-bandwidth connection can handle more simultaneous activity, like multiple people streaming video at the same time.
Latency is the delay between sending a request and getting a response. It is measured in milliseconds and matters most for real-time activity like video calls and gaming. High latency causes lag even when your download speeds look fine. For a deeper look at how these figures interact, see the Internet Speed Terminology reference.
Mbps stands for megabits per second — the standard unit for measuring internet speed. Streaming HD video typically requires around 5–25 Mbps per stream, depending on quality.
Wi-Fi is a wireless networking standard that lets devices connect to a local network — and through it, the internet — without physical cables. The number after Wi-Fi (e.g., Wi-Fi 6) refers to the generation of the standard, with newer generations supporting faster speeds and more simultaneous devices. The Home Internet Explained guide covers how connection types affect your household's real-world experience.
| Standard speed unit | Mbps (megabits per second) |
| Latency threshold for smooth video calls | Under 150 ms is generally acceptable (ITU-T G.114 recommendation) |
| Wi-Fi current mainstream generation | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) (Wi-Fi Alliance) |
| HTTPS encryption standard | TLS (Transport Layer Security) |
Security and Privacy Terms
Encryption scrambles data so only authorized parties can read it. When a website address starts with https://, the connection uses encryption. This protects information like passwords and payment details as they travel between your device and the site.
VPN — Virtual Private Network — creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a server elsewhere on the internet. It masks your IP address from websites and makes your traffic harder to intercept on public Wi-Fi. A VPN does not make you fully anonymous online.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second verification step — usually a code sent to your phone — after you enter a password. Even if someone steals your password, they cannot log in without the second factor.
Phishing is a social-engineering attack where someone impersonates a trusted source — a bank, a delivery service, a tech company — to trick you into handing over credentials or clicking a malicious link. It arrives most commonly by email or text.
A Note on VPNs and Privacy
A VPN hides your traffic from your internet service provider and from networks you connect through, but the VPN provider itself can see your activity. No single tool guarantees complete online anonymity. Choosing any privacy tool should come with an understanding of what it actually protects — and what it does not.
Device and Software Terms
Firmware is software that lives inside a hardware device and controls its basic functions. Your router, smart thermostat, and TV remote all run firmware. Manufacturers release firmware updates to fix bugs and security flaws — keeping devices updated is one of the simplest security steps available.
Operating system (OS) is the master software that manages everything a device does. Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android are all operating systems. Apps run on top of the OS; the OS runs on top of the hardware.
Cloud storage means your files are saved on remote servers rather than only on your device. You access them over the internet from any device. For a fuller breakdown, see Cloud Storage, Plain and Simple.
IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device on a network — similar to a postal address for data. Your router has a public IP address visible to the internet, while each device in your home gets a private IP address used only within the local network. For more on how routers and modems interact with these addresses, the Modem, Router, and Gateway explainer is a useful companion read.
Understanding these terms will not make you an engineer — but it will help you make better decisions about the devices and services you use every day, and spot red flags before they become problems. If your phone plan comes loaded with unfamiliar language, the Phone Plan Glossary decodes the most common carrier terms.