Certified - CompTIA Tech+ Prepcast

In this glossary deep dive, we will explore a collection of acronyms that you will see on the CompTIA Tech Plus exam. Acronyms are short forms of longer technical terms, and while they may seem overwhelming at first, learning them step by step will make them much easier to remember. Each acronym will be clearly spelled out, explained in everyday language, and connected to how it is used in the world of technology. We will not just list the words but also explain what they mean, why they are important, and how they fit into the bigger picture of computing, networking, software, and security. For someone just starting out in information technology, this is a great way to build comfort with the language of the field, since these abbreviations come up constantly in conversations, documentation, and on the exam itself. By the end of this session, you will not only recognize the acronyms but also understand the concepts behind them, giving you both confidence for the test and a stronger foundation for your future learning.
A Personal Identification Number, or PIN, is a short number used as a security measure to prove identity. It is most often used with bank cards, phones, or secure systems. Even though it is just a few digits, a PIN is a critical layer of protection and should be kept private.
Post Office Protocol, or POP, is a system for retrieving email from a mail server. It downloads messages to one device and often removes them from the server after delivery. This makes it simple but less flexible compared to newer protocols that keep messages synced across devices.
Post Office Protocol Three, or POP3, is the third version of POP and is the most widely used of its kind. It became a standard way for desktop email clients to receive messages from servers. While it is reliable, it does not provide the same convenience as modern systems that allow access from multiple devices.
Post Office Protocol Three Secure, or POP3S, is a secure version of POP3 that adds encryption to protect email data. This ensures that login details and message content are not exposed to attackers while traveling across networks. POP3S is especially important when checking email over untrusted connections, such as public Wi-Fi.
A Power Supply Unit, or PSU, is the component inside a computer that converts electricity from the wall into the right type of power for the internal parts. Without a working power supply, the other components cannot function. The PSU must provide stable power to protect sensitive parts like the motherboard, CPU, and storage drives.
Random Access Memory, or RAM, is the fast, temporary memory that a computer uses to store information while it is running. Unlike permanent storage, RAM is cleared when the computer is turned off. More RAM allows a system to handle more programs at once without slowing down.
Reduced Instruction Set Computer, or RISC, is a processor design that focuses on simplifying instructions so that tasks can be performed quickly and efficiently. ARM processors, commonly found in phones, are based on the RISC model. This design makes devices faster and more energy efficient.
Radio Frequency, or RF, refers to the range of electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication. Technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile phones all depend on radio frequency to send and receive data. RF is invisible but is the backbone of modern wireless systems.
A Registered Jack, or RJ, is a type of standardized connector used for telephone and networking cables. RJ connectors come in different versions, such as RJ11 for phone lines and RJ45 for ethernet cables. These connectors ensure that cables and devices are compatible with each other.
Registered Jack Eleven, or RJ11, is the connector used for traditional telephone lines. It is smaller than the connectors used in computer networking. RJ11 was once found in nearly every household phone connection, though it is less common today with the rise of mobile and internet calling.
Registered Jack Forty Five, or RJ45, is the connector most often used for ethernet cables in computer networks. It looks similar to a telephone connector but is larger and has more pins to handle higher data speeds. RJ45 is the standard plug that connects computers, routers, and switches for wired networking.
Read Only Memory, or ROM, is a type of storage built into computers that permanently holds important instructions. Unlike RAM, it does not get erased when the power is turned off. ROM often stores the startup code that helps a computer boot up correctly.
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, or SATA, is an interface used to connect storage drives like hard drives and solid state drives to the motherboard. It replaced older technologies because it allows for faster data transfer and easier connections. Most desktop and laptop drives made in the last two decades use SATA.
A Secure Digital card, or SD card, is a small, portable memory card used in cameras, phones, and other devices. It allows users to easily add storage space or transfer files between devices. SD cards come in different sizes and capacities, making them flexible for many uses.
Small Form Factor Pluggable, or SFP, is a type of compact module used to connect networking equipment like switches and routers to different types of cables. An SFP can be swapped out depending on whether you need fiber or copper connections. This flexibility makes them useful in professional networking environments.
Secure File Transfer Protocol, or SFTP, is a secure way of transferring files over a network. It uses encryption to keep data private while it is being sent between computers. SFTP is commonly used by organizations that need to share sensitive files safely over the internet.
A System Identifier, or SID, is a unique value that identifies a computer or user account in certain operating systems. It ensures that each account or machine can be recognized individually. SIDs are important for managing permissions and access in a secure environment.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, or SMTP, is the standard system used to send email across the internet. When you click “send” in your email program, SMTP is what delivers the message to the recipient’s server. It is one of the core technologies that make email possible.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Secure, or SMTPS, is a version of SMTP that adds encryption. This ensures that messages and login details are protected during transmission. SMTPS is especially important for preventing attackers from reading email as it travels across public networks.
Simple Network Management Protocol, or SNMP, is used by network administrators to monitor and manage devices such as routers, switches, and printers. It allows administrators to gather information like performance data or errors from devices remotely. SNMP is essential for keeping large networks running smoothly.
A Solid State Drive, or SSD, is a storage device that uses flash memory instead of spinning disks. Because it has no moving parts, it is much faster, more durable, and quieter than older hard disk drives. SSDs are now common in laptops and desktops, greatly improving boot times and application performance.
Secure Shell, or SSH, is a secure way to connect to another computer over a network. It allows users to manage servers or transfer files while keeping the connection encrypted. SSH is widely used in IT to safely perform remote administration tasks.
A Service Set Identifier, or SSID, is the name given to a wireless network. When you open the Wi-Fi settings on your phone or laptop, the list of available networks is made up of SSIDs. Changing the SSID helps identify your network and can add a small layer of security.
Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, is a technology that was once the standard for creating secure connections over the internet. It encrypts data between a browser and a server so that sensitive information stays private. Although SSL has been replaced by newer versions such as TLS, the term SSL is still commonly used.
A Terabyte, or TB, is a unit of storage equal to about one trillion bytes. It is commonly used to measure the capacity of large hard drives and cloud storage accounts. To give perspective, one terabyte can hold hundreds of thousands of photos or hundreds of movies.
Terabytes per second, or T b p s, is a measure of data transfer speed at extremely high levels. This measurement is usually seen in advanced networking or data center environments rather than home use. It represents how quickly enormous amounts of information can be moved.
Transmission Control Protocol, or TCP, is one of the main protocols that makes the internet work. It ensures that data is broken into packets, sent across the network, and reassembled correctly on the other side. TCP provides reliable communication, making sure that information is delivered in order and without errors.
Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol, or TCP IP, is the combination of two core protocols that power the internet. TCP handles reliability and accuracy, while IP manages addressing and routing to the correct destination. Together, they form the foundation of all online communication.
An Uninterruptable Power Supply, or UPS, is a backup device that provides temporary power when the electricity goes out. It gives users time to save work and shut down equipment safely, protecting computers and servers from sudden loss of power. UPS devices are often used in offices, schools, and data centers.
A Uniform Resource Locator, or URL, is the address you type into a browser to reach a website. For example, typing www dot example dot com directs the browser to that site’s location. URLs are how people navigate the web without needing to know the numerical IP addresses behind each site.
A Universal Serial Bus, or USB, is a standard way to connect devices such as keyboards, flash drives, and printers to computers. It made connecting peripherals simple by replacing many older types of ports. Over time, USB has evolved into faster and smaller versions to keep up with modern needs.
Universal Serial Bus A, or USB A, is the most common and recognizable USB connector, often found on older computers and devices. It is rectangular in shape and was the standard for many years. While still widely used, newer devices are moving to smaller and faster formats.
Universal Serial Bus C, or USB C, is a newer USB connector that is smaller, reversible, and capable of very fast data transfer and charging speeds. It is becoming the universal standard for laptops, phones, and accessories. Its design makes it more user-friendly, since it can be plugged in either way.
A Virtual Central Processing Unit, or vCPU, is a virtual version of a processor that exists in a cloud or virtual environment. It allows multiple virtual machines to share the resources of one physical processor. vCPUs give flexibility to run many systems without needing separate physical hardware.
A Virtual Hard Disk Drive, or vHDD, is a digital version of a physical hard drive. It is often used in virtualization environments where multiple operating systems or servers run on the same machine. A vHDD acts like a normal drive but exists entirely as a file on the host system.
A Virtual Network Interface Card, or vNIC, is the virtual version of the hardware that connects a computer to a network. Each virtual machine can have one or more vNICs to communicate with other devices. This makes it possible for virtualized environments to function just like physical networks.
Virtual Random Access Memory, or vRAM, is the virtual representation of computer memory in a cloud or virtualization environment. It allows systems to simulate physical memory so that applications can run smoothly. Like vCPUs, vRAM helps organizations get more out of shared hardware resources.
Video Graphics Array, or VGA, is an older type of connector used to link computers to monitors. It carries analog signals and was common for decades before being replaced by digital standards like HDMI and DisplayPort. Many older projectors and monitors still rely on VGA connections.
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is a technology that allows voice calls to be made over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. Applications like Skype, Zoom, and other calling services use VoIP to send voice and video over data networks. It has become the standard for modern communication.
A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a service that creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. This protects your data from being intercepted and can also make it appear as though you are browsing from a different location. VPNs are widely used for privacy, security, and remote access to work systems.
Virtual Reality, or VR, is a computer-generated environment that people can experience through special headsets and controllers. It creates the feeling of being inside a digital world, whether for games, training, or simulations. VR is an emerging technology that combines graphics, sound, and interaction to create immersive experiences.
Wired Equivalency Privacy, or WEP, is an older security method used to protect wireless networks. While it was once common, it has been replaced by stronger standards because it can be broken easily by attackers. Today, WEP should not be used, and newer methods like WPA are recommended.
Wireless Protected Access, or WPA, is a security standard created to replace WEP for protecting Wi-Fi networks. It added stronger encryption and better key management to keep wireless connections safer. WPA was an important improvement, but newer versions have since made networks even more secure.
Wireless Protected Access Two, or WPA2, is the second version of WPA and became the most widely used Wi-Fi security standard for many years. It uses advanced encryption to protect wireless data and is still supported on most devices. Although newer standards now exist, WPA2 remains a trusted option.
Wireless Protected Access Three, or WPA3, is the latest version of Wi-Fi security. It improves protection against attacks, even when users choose weak passwords, and offers stronger encryption for modern devices. WPA3 is gradually replacing WPA2 and is the best choice for securing new wireless networks.