Using the internet safely: Glossary of terms

The following material is also available as a fact sheet, available for download (PDF 146 KB).

Internet
A vast network of computers, known as "servers", which store and transmit the information available to you via the world wide web, as well as email, newsgroups, bulletin boards etc.

Internet provider
The company that connects you to the internet, often providing your email and access to the world wide web.

World wide web
A vast network of information also called "the web", or "w3", mostly websites, that you can access via the internet and view on your computer.

Webpage
A single page on the web.

Website
A collection of webpages published by an organisation or individual, that you click between via headings or "links" in the form of text or graphics.

Browser
A program that allows you to "browse" or "surf" websites on the World Wide Web.

Search engines
Websites that let you search the World Wide Web, such as www.google.com, www.yahoo.com or www.ninemsn.com. The tips provided on how to search can help you find what you need much more quickly.

Cache
Copies of the webpages you visit, stored by your browser on your computer. When you revisit a page, the browser may display the version from your hard drive instead of taking more time to reload the page from the internet.

History
A record of the URLS of webpages you have recently visited, stored by your browser. Your browser uses this list to determine whether each link on a webpage should be displayed in the normal link colour or the "visited link" colour.

URL (Universal Resource Locator)
The address of a webpage or website. For example, the URL of Women's Health West website is www.whwest.org.au

Location Bar
A drop-down box near the top of your browser showing the URL of the webpage you are viewing. Typing a URL in the location bar and clicking return will take you to that webpage. Clicking the arrow button at the right of the location bar box produces a pull-down menu displaying the most recently-typed URLS.

SAFETY TIPS

Back to main page

General internet safety tips

Using email safely

Safe surfing

USEFUL WEBSITES: We have links to a whole range of useful websites for women and young people, including people affected by family violence.
FIND OUT MORE about our range of women's health information and promotion services and activities, including more fact sheets.
FIND OUT MORE about our research into women's health and safety issues.