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As more and more people connect to the Internet, many new terms enter our everyday language. Here are a few key terms you might want to know as an Internet shopper.
Authenticate
To verify the identity of an Internet user or a person sending an email. For example, some merchants will use advanced security systems to authenticate a shopper before processing any online order.
Browser
A software program, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, that allows you to navigate the Internet. Your browser can help you find and shop at online stores from around the world.
Cryptography
The advanced process of scrambling and unscrambling information so that it can be read only by the intended parties. For example, when you send your payment data over the Internet for a purchase, cryptography can prevent everyone except the intended merchant from reading your card account number and card expiration date.
Decryption
The decoding system that your computer software uses to unscramble information sent to you in code through the Internet. Decryption is the opposite of encryption.
Digital Certificate
An electronic identification system used by consumers and merchants in some Internet security systems. With digital certificates, you and the merchant can identify each other before conducting an online transaction.
Domain Name
An Internet description, such as www.msn.com, that identifies an organization by name and, after the dot, by the type. The type may be commercial (.com), educational (.edu), governmental (.gov), military (.mil), network (.net), business (.biz), information (.info) or organizational (.org).
Download
To copy a file or application from another computer through the Internet. For example, you can download software that you have just purchased from an online merchant.
e-Commerce
The buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet. Also known as electronic commerce.
Encryption
The coding system that protects messages traveling between two points, such as your browser and a merchant's server, by scrambling the information. Encryption is the opposite of decryption. |
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Online
Connected via computer to the Internet.
Privacy Policy
Written notice of a merchant's intentions to use or not use your personal information for purposes other than the current transaction, such as future sales efforts or selling to the mailing lists of others. Most online merchants post their privacy policies on their websites.
Profile
Personal information stored with a merchant. Commonly used information such as your address and shopping preferences can be stored with a merchant, making future purchases quick and easy.
Server
Computer workstation that serves information to other computers through the Internet. When you shop on the Internet, the merchant's server lets your browser access information about goods and service.
SSL - Secure Sockets Layer
Security standard that many merchants use to keep their websites secure and to protect the safety, privacy, and reliability of payment data traveling over the Internet. SSL encrypts the channel between your browser and the merchant's Web server so that no one except you and the merchant can read your payment information.
Upload
To transfer a file from your computer to another computer through the Internet. For example, after you complete an electronic order form, you upload it to a merchant for processing.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator, or the address of a website on the Internet, such as www.msn.com. |
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