We hear tech terms like Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth and “the cloud” every day, but many people still don’t know exactly what they mean. And that’s okay — no one is born understanding this stuff. (Especially those of us born before the 1960s!) The good news is, once you strip away the jargon, most of it is pretty simple. Here’s a quick guide to a few common terms that pop up in everyday tech conversations, explained in plain English.
Let’s start with Wi‑Fi. It’s what lets your devices get online without plugging them in. Instead of using cables, Wi‑Fi sends internet data through the air using radio waves. Think of it as an invisible cord that connects your phone, laptop or tablet to the internet. That’s how you’re able to scroll social media from the couch or watch a movie in bed without being physically connected to anything.
Bluetooth is another type of wireless connection, but it works over shorter distances and links devices directly to each other. For example, when you connect your phone to wireless earbuds or pair a keyboard with a tablet, that’s Bluetooth at work. You can think of it as a short, invisible wire that lets two devices talk to each other — no internet required.
Now let’s talk about the cloud. No, not “iCloud” specifically — iCloud is a brand name that Apple uses. Microsoft uses OneDrive for their cloud, and there are many others. This one confuses a lot of people, but it’s just a fancy way of saying your files are stored online instead of just on your device. Imagine it like a digital storage locker. Instead of keeping everything on your phone or computer, you’re saving your photos, documents and other data in a secure space you can access from anywhere with the internet. That way, even if your computer crashes, falls off the roof of your car or is the victim of your morning coffee, your important stuff is still safe and reachable.
Then there are cookies — not the kind you eat. In the digital world, cookies are little bits of information that websites save on your device. They’re kind of like name tags that help a website remember who you are. So if a site keeps you logged in or remembers what you added to your shopping cart, that’s cookies doing their job. Some also track your browsing for advertising, which is why it’s a good idea to clear them occasionally or adjust your privacy settings.
Finally, there’s antivirus and anti-malware software, which is like a security guard for your computer. It constantly scans for harmful programs — like viruses or spyware — and works to block them before they can do damage. Think of it as your computer’s immune system, always on patrol in the background. Without it, your system is a lot more vulnerable to threats that can steal your data or slow things down.
However, be aware that all Microsoft operating systems come with the built-in Windows Defender, which works remarkably well, and it’s free. But beware: The Digital Docs have treated many computers over the years that have had expensive third-party products like Norton or McAfee that did not prevent the customer from being infected or compromised. It’s like the breaks on your car: if you drive carefully and use the brakes properly, you’ll be safe. But if you head towards a tree (a bad website or respond to a scammer) and don’t hit the brakes, you’ll probably hit the tree!
The bottom line? You don’t need to be a tech expert to understand the basics. Wi‑Fi is the internet without wires. Bluetooth helps your gadgets talk to each other. The cloud stores your stuff online. Cookies help websites remember you. And antivirus keeps your computer safe. Once you know what these terms mean, you’ll start to notice them everywhere — and now you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about!
Until next time: stay safe there. It can be a little like the old Wild West, but understanding just a little bit of tech stuff will keep you secure and informed.
Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at The Digital Docs in Marblehead.
Stephen Bach
Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at The Digital Docs in Marblehead.
