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Glossary
If you're not sure what a certain term means, check below for the definition. If you don't find the answer, please contact us and we'll do our best to answer.
attachment - A file attached to an email which contains text, graphics, sound, etc. Typical attachments include Microsoft Word documents, PDF files, JPEG/JPG image files, and MP3 audio files.
blog/weblog - A website structured like a personal diary, where the owner posts his/her opinions and thoughts on any number of subjects and solicits reader feedback.
browser - Computer program used to view websites and to access various other Internet-based resources. The most popular browsers are Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.
buddy list/contact list - In instant messaging (IM), the user's list of contacts. This feature can often indicate a user's online presence.
chat - A form of real-time, text-based communication between Internet users.
chatroom - A website where users meet to discuss a topic of common interest, typically via typing.
child pornography - A visual representation of a child who is engaged in or is depicted as engaged in explicit sexual activity.
cyberbullying - Use of the Internet and other communication technologies to harass or intimidate an individual.
cyberstalking - Unwanted, abusive, insidious and repeated behaviour aimed at someone over the Internet with the purpose of destabilizing him/her.
emoticon/smiley - A combination of keyboard characters and symbols that, when viewed sideways, is suggestive of a face. Used to express emotions in emails, text messages, etc.
filtering software - Software that blocks access to certain websites, or that filters incoming email messages according to pre-defined criteria (inappropriate words, etc.).
firewall - Software or hardware that monitors and selectively blocks information being transmitted between a computer and the Internet. The aim of firewalls are the prevention of outside attacks and malware infestations.
grooming - Process by which an online offender establishes an online relationship with a child, gradually gains his/her confidence, and eventually exploits the relationship for sexual purposes.
Hypertext Markup Language/HTML - The most commonly used coding language for creating websites.
instant messaging/IM - A service that allows Internet users to communicate with each other in real time.
internet service provider/ISP - A company that enables individuals or businesses to connect to the Internet. In addition to connectivity to the Internet, most ISPs provide email capability, website hosting, and other services. Examples include: Vidéotron, Rogers, Sympatico and AOL.
luring - Process by which an online offender entices a child or youth to meet him in person for sexual purposes. This is usually done by assuming a false identity - such as another child or young adult - with similar interests.
moderated chatroom - Chatroom where a moderator monitors conversations to ensure that the chatroom's standards of behaviour/terms of use are respected.
netiquette - Set of informal rules that govern proper behaviour when online - e.g. when participating in forums, newsgroups, email exchanges, etc.
newsgroup - A public discussion group or electronic bulletin board where Internet users can post and read messages on a particular topic.
nickname - A name by which Internet users wish to be known when using online services such as chatrooms and instant messaging.
offline - Outside of the Internet, unplugged, in real life. Opposite of online.
online - Connected to or offered on the Internet. Opposite of offline.
peer-to-peer/P2P - A direct link between two Internet-connected computers allowing the exchange of files without the use of a central server.
podcasting - A method of distributing pre-recorded radio broadcasts, audio clips and videos over the Internet. Using special software, these recordings can be automatically downloaded to a computer and then transferred to an iPod or other digital player to be listened to offline at a convenient time.
private chatroom - Chatroom where participants can invite other visitors to join them in a private virtual conversation.
Short Message Service/SMS messaging - A service that allows the transmission of short alphanumeric messages between digital cell phones.
spam - Unwanted email sent to large numbers of Internet users to promote products or services.
spammer - A person or organization that sends spam.
spyware - A program that hides on a computer, gathers information about the user and uses his/her Internet connection to relay this information to advertisers or other interested parties.
videoconferencing - The live transmission of video and audio over the Internet.
webcam - Small digital camera connected to a computer that allows video images from any part of the world to be made available in real time on the Internet. Can be used for Internet-based videoconferencing.
