IT glossary: 103 terms in plain English

Every term below appears in one of the 18 White Fortress Academy games. Each definition is the same one you meet while playing, and links to the game where you practise it.

A

Accuracy
The share of characters typed correctly. High accuracy matters more than raw speed in most jobs. Practise it in: Typing Race.
Algorithm
A clear list of steps that solves a problem. Practise it in: Algorithm Tower.

B

Backup
A separate copy of data that lets you recover without paying an attacker. Practise it in: Cyber Safety Escape Room, OS Installation Challenge.
Binary (base 2)
A number system that uses only 0 and 1. Each place is worth double the one to its right: 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1. Practise it in: Binary Builder.
BIOS / UEFI
The firmware that starts the computer and lets you choose the boot device and settings. Practise it in: OS Installation Challenge.
Bit and byte
A bit is a single 0 or 1. A byte is eight bits and can hold 256 different values (0 to 255). Practise it in: Binary Builder.
Bootable USB
A USB drive prepared so the computer can start the installer from it. Practise it in: OS Installation Challenge.
Brute force
Trying every possible combination until one works. Longer passwords make this impractical. Practise it in: Password Fortress.
Bug
A mistake in code that makes it behave in the wrong way. Practise it in: Debug Dungeon.

C

cat
Prints the contents of a file to the screen. Practise it in: Command Quest — Linux/CLI.
CC and BCC (Outlook)
CC copies someone openly. BCC copies them without showing their address to other recipients. Practise it in: MS Office Speed Challenge.
Cell reference
The address of a cell, such as B4. Formulas use references so results update when data changes. Practise it in: Excel Formula Quest.
chmod
Changes who may read, write or run a file. chmod 644 notes.txt gives the owner read and write, everyone else read only. Practise it in: Command Quest — Linux/CLI.
CIDR notation
A short way to write a mask, such as /24, meaning the first 24 bits are the network part. Practise it in: Binary Builder.
Cloud storage
Files saved on a provider's servers and reachable from any device with a login. Practise it in: Cloud Storage Challenge.
Command-line typing
Typing exact text such as ls -la or ping 8.8.8.8, where spacing and symbols must be perfect. Practise it in: Typing Race.
Compression (zip)
Packing one or more files into a smaller single file, useful for emailing or saving space. Practise it in: File Management Maze.
Condition
A choice, such as 'if there is a wall, turn left'. Practise it in: Algorithm Tower.
Clear permission before accessing someone's system, data or accounts. Practise it in: Cyber Ethics Choices.
Cooling
A heatsink and fan or liquid cooler that keeps the CPU from overheating and slowing down. Practise it in: Hardware Builder.
COUNTIF / SUMIF
Count or add only the cells that meet a condition, for example sales above a target. Practise it in: Excel Formula Quest.
CPU (processor)
The chip that runs program instructions. It must match the motherboard's socket, for example AM5 or LGA1700. Practise it in: Hardware Builder.
Credential stuffing
Attackers reuse passwords leaked from one site to try to enter others, which is why reuse is dangerous. Practise it in: Password Fortress.
Cyber law
Rules that make unauthorised access, data theft and online fraud offences. In India these include provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Practise it in: Cyber Ethics Choices.
Cyberbullying
Using digital channels to harass or humiliate someone. Practise it in: Cyber Ethics Choices.

D

Debugging
Finding and fixing mistakes in a set of instructions. Practise it in: Algorithm Tower.
Default gateway
The router address a device sends traffic to when the destination is outside its own network. Practise it in: Network Setup Simulator.
DNS
The system that turns a name like example.com into the IP address computers actually use. Practise it in: Packet Runner.
Driver
Software that lets the operating system talk to a piece of hardware such as a graphics card or printer. Practise it in: Troubleshoot It!.
Dual boot
Having two operating systems installed side by side and choosing one at startup. Practise it in: OS Installation Challenge.

E

Error rate
How often mistakes happen. Cutting errors usually raises your real speed because you stop correcting. Practise it in: Typing Race.
Escalation
Passing a problem to a more senior person with clear notes on what you already tried. Practise it in: Troubleshoot It!.

F

File extension
The ending of a file name, such as .docx, .xlsx, .jpg or .pdf. It tells the computer which program opens the file. Practise it in: File Management Maze.
File system
The way data is organised on a partition, such as NTFS for Windows or ext4 for Linux. Practise it in: OS Installation Challenge.
Firewall
Allows or blocks traffic according to rules, for example blocking an unused port. Practise it in: Packet Runner.
Folder structure
A tree of folders that groups related files so they are easy to find again. Practise it in: File Management Maze.
Formula (Excel)
An instruction that starts with = and calculates a result from cells, such as =SUM(B2:B10). Practise it in: MS Office Speed Challenge.
Function
A named group of steps you can reuse. Solving a floor once and calling it again saves effort. Practise it in: Algorithm Tower.

G

grep
Searches text for a pattern, for example grep error log.txt shows only the lines containing 'error'. Practise it in: Command Quest — Linux/CLI.

H

Hashing
Storing a one-way scrambled form of a password instead of the password itself. Practise it in: Password Fortress.
Hexadecimal (base 16)
Uses 0-9 and A-F. One hex digit equals four bits, so FF is 255. Practise it in: Binary Builder.
Home row
The row of keys where your fingers rest, from which every other key is a short reach. Practise it in: Typing Race.
Host
A device on a network. A /24 network has 254 usable host addresses. Practise it in: Binary Builder.

I

IF
Chooses between two results based on a test, e.g. =IF(B2>=40,"Pass","Fail"). Practise it in: Excel Formula Quest.
Intellectual property
Creative and technical work, such as software and images, that someone owns and others may need permission to use. Practise it in: Cyber Ethics Choices.
IP address
A number that identifies a device on a network, for example 192.168.1.20. Practise it in: Network Setup Simulator.

K

Keyboard shortcut
A key combination such as Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V or Ctrl+Z that replaces several mouse clicks. Practise it in: MS Office Speed Challenge.

L

Latency and packet loss
Latency is delay. Packet loss is data that never arrives, causing slow or choppy connections. Practise it in: Packet Runner.
Least privilege
Giving people and programs only the access they need and no more. Practise it in: Cyber Safety Escape Room.
Length vs complexity
Adding length helps more than adding one symbol. A long passphrase of random words is hard to crack and easier to remember. Practise it in: Password Fortress.
Logic error
The code runs without errors but gives the wrong answer. Practise it in: Debug Dungeon.
Loop
A way to repeat steps, such as 'move forward' five times, without writing them out each time. Practise it in: Algorithm Tower.
ls and cd
ls lists what is in a folder. cd changes into another folder. Together they let you move around the file system. Practise it in: Command Quest — Linux/CLI.

M

Mail merge
Producing many personalised letters or emails from one template and a list of names. Practise it in: MS Office Speed Challenge.
A link whose real address differs from the text shown. Hovering over it reveals the true destination. Practise it in: Phishing Detective.
Malware
Software built to harm a system or steal data, such as viruses, ransomware or spyware. Practise it in: Cyber Safety Escape Room.
MFA
Multi-factor authentication adds a second proof, such as a code from an app, so a stolen password alone is not enough. Practise it in: Password Fortress.
Modem
Converts the signal from your internet provider into a form your network can use. Practise it in: Network Setup Simulator.
Motherboard
The main circuit board that connects every part. It decides which CPU, RAM and storage you can use. Practise it in: Hardware Builder.
Multi-factor authentication
A second proof of identity, which can still protect an account if the password is stolen. Practise it in: Phishing Detective.

N

Naming convention
An agreed pattern for file names, such as 2026-03_Invoice_Sharma.pdf, so files sort and search well. Practise it in: File Management Maze.

P

Packet
A small chunk of data with a source address, a destination address and a piece of the content. Practise it in: Packet Runner.
Partition
A section of a disk treated as a separate drive, for example one for Windows and one for data. Practise it in: OS Installation Challenge.
Password manager
A tool that creates and stores a unique strong password for every account behind one master password. Practise it in: Password Fortress.
Patching
Installing updates that fix known security weaknesses. Practise it in: Cyber Safety Escape Room.
Permissions
What a person may do with a shared file: view, comment or edit. Practise it in: Cloud Storage Challenge, Command Quest — Linux/CLI.
Phishing
A fake message, usually email, SMS or a web page, that tricks you into giving away a password, money or personal details. Practise it in: Phishing Detective.
Print debugging
Printing values at points in the program to see what is really happening. Practise it in: Debug Dungeon.
Privacy
The right of people to control how their personal information is collected and used. Practise it in: Cyber Ethics Choices.
Process of elimination
Testing the simplest and cheapest explanations first and ruling them out one at a time. Practise it in: Troubleshoot It!.
PSU (power supply)
Converts mains power to the voltages the parts need. Its wattage must cover the CPU and graphics card with some headroom. Practise it in: Hardware Builder.

R

RAM
Short-term working memory. Modern boards use DDR4 or DDR5, and the two are not interchangeable. Practise it in: Hardware Builder.
Ransomware
Malware that locks files and demands payment to release them. Practise it in: Cyber Safety Escape Room.
Recycle Bin
A holding area for deleted files. Items can be restored until the bin is emptied. Practise it in: File Management Maze.
Relative vs absolute reference
B4 shifts when copied. $B$4 stays fixed. Mixing them up is a very common error. Practise it in: Excel Formula Quest.
Responsible disclosure
Reporting a security weakness to the owner privately instead of exploiting or publishing it. Practise it in: Cyber Ethics Choices.
Router
Connects your local network to the internet and directs traffic between devices. Practise it in: Network Setup Simulator, Packet Runner.
Runtime error
The code starts but fails while running, for example dividing by zero. Practise it in: Debug Dungeon.

S

Finding files by name, type or date instead of browsing through every folder. Practise it in: File Management Maze.
Sequence
Instructions carried out one after another, in order. Practise it in: Algorithm Tower.
A web address that grants access. 'Anyone with the link' is wider than 'specific people'. Practise it in: Cloud Storage Challenge.
Shell / terminal
The text interface where you type commands and read results. Practise it in: Command Quest — Linux/CLI.
Slide master (PowerPoint)
A template that controls fonts, colours and layouts across all slides. Practise it in: MS Office Speed Challenge.
Smishing
Phishing sent by SMS or messaging apps. Practise it in: Phishing Detective.
Social engineering
Manipulating people, rather than software, into giving access. Practise it in: Cyber Safety Escape Room.
Spoofing
Faking a sender's name or address so a message looks like it came from someone you trust. Practise it in: Phishing Detective.
Stack trace
The list of steps leading to an error. The last lines usually point to the file and line that failed. Practise it in: Debug Dungeon.
Storage (SSD / HDD)
Where files and the operating system live. An SSD is much faster to boot and open programs than a hard disk. Practise it in: Hardware Builder.
Styles (Word)
Reusable formatting for headings and body text, so a document stays consistent and the table of contents builds itself. Practise it in: MS Office Speed Challenge.
Subnet mask
A pattern of ones and zeros that splits an IP address into network and host parts. Practise it in: Binary Builder, Network Setup Simulator.
SUM / AVERAGE
Add up a range, or find its mean: =SUM(B2:B20) and =AVERAGE(B2:B20). Practise it in: Excel Formula Quest.
Switch
Connects several wired devices on the same local network. Practise it in: Network Setup Simulator, Packet Runner.
Symptom vs cause
The symptom is what the user sees (no picture, slow PC). The cause is the fault behind it (loose cable, runaway program). Practise it in: Troubleshoot It!.
Sync
Keeping a local folder and the online copy matching automatically. Practise it in: Cloud Storage Challenge.
Syntax error
The code breaks the language's grammar, such as a missing bracket or colon, so it cannot run. Practise it in: Debug Dungeon.

T

Task Manager
A Windows tool that shows running programs and how much CPU, memory, disk and network each one uses. Practise it in: Troubleshoot It!.
Touch typing
Typing without looking at the keyboard, using all fingers and the home row (ASDF JKL;). Practise it in: Typing Race.
Trash / bin
Deleted items kept for a limited time before being removed for good. Practise it in: Cloud Storage Challenge.

U

Urgency
A pressure tactic such as 'your account will close in one hour', meant to stop you from thinking. Practise it in: Phishing Detective.

V

Version history
A record of earlier copies of a file that lets you go back after a mistake. Practise it in: Cloud Storage Challenge.
VLOOKUP / XLOOKUP
Find a value in a table by matching a key, such as the price for a product code. Practise it in: Excel Formula Quest.

W

Wi-Fi vs internet
Being connected to a router does not always mean the internet works. The fault can be the router, the line or the provider. Practise it in: Troubleshoot It!.
WPM (words per minute)
A speed measure. One 'word' is counted as five characters, including spaces. Practise it in: Typing Race.

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