IT abbreviations
Acronym → full name → one plain sentence. From basic hardware terms to Active Directory.
Hardware7
The computer's processor — it executes all calculations.
Graphics processor — accelerates visuals, AI and rendering.
Fast working memory — cleared when the power is off.
Mechanical hard drive — big and cheap, but slow.
Flash drive — much faster than an HDD, no moving parts.
Universal connector standard — flash drive, keyboard, camera.
Basic motherboard firmware — starts the machine before the OS.
Software5
Operating system — Windows, Linux, macOS.
Document format — looks the same on every computer.
Address of a web resource — e.g. https://idacademia.com.
The markup language of web pages.
A standard way for programs to talk to each other.
Network & Internet11
Your internet provider — the company that connects you to the network.
Local network — one home or office.
Wide-area network — links distant sites, like branch offices.
Wireless network — internet without cables.
Resolves names to IP addresses — no DNS, no domain.
Automatically hands out IP addresses to devices.
An encrypted tunnel to a remote network — as if you were in the office.
Translates many internal addresses into one public address.
Splits one physical network into logical ones — e.g. management and clients.
Protocol and address — every network device has an IP.
Physical address of a network card — fixed at manufacture.
Security & Other9
Web page protocol — unencrypted, never send passwords over it.
HTTP with encryption — the padlock in your browser.
The protocol for sending mail.
Mail reading protocol — messages stay on the server.
File transfer — old and unencrypted; today prefer SFTP.
The old connection-security standard — superseded by TLS.
Modern connection encryption — the basis of HTTPS and LDAPS.
Secure terminal access to remote servers.
Multi-factor authentication — a password alone is not enough.
Active Directory8
Microsoft's directory service — users, computers and permissions.
A server holding the domain database that validates logons.
A container for users and computers — where you link GPOs.
Group Policy object — passwords, desktops, rules.
The protocol for talking to the directory — port 389.
The Kerberos service on the DC — issues TGT tickets.
Remote desktop — port 3389, a favorite target for attackers.
The unique security ID of every user and group.