Glossary
Glossary: technology terms explained simply
From Wi-Fi to TAN: terms and abbreviations around the internet, devices, smart home and security at home, explained briefly and clearly.
In short and in plain language
On this page you will find special words. Below each word you see the start of what it means. Click on a word. Then you can read the whole text.
The words are sorted from A to Z. At the top you see the letters. Click on a letter. Then you jump to the words with this letter.
At the very bottom you find a link to the questions and answers and a link to contact us.
A
- ACR ACR is a function offered by the phone provider that rejects calls without a displayed number. Depending on the provider, it can be switched on in the customer portal, for example.
- ADAC The ADAC is a large German motoring club. It offers breakdown assistance and publishes tests and guides, for example on electricity tariffs and electric cars.
- AI AI refers to software that learns from many examples and produces texts, answers or suggestions from them. At home you meet it in voice assistants, chat programs or when a…
- AO The AO is the German Fiscal Code, a law with the general rules of tax procedure. It covers, for example, filing tax returns and keeping records. A tax adviser can say what applies…
- AR AR stands for application rule, a technical rule of the German electrical engineering association VDE. In everyday life you come across it in the connection rules for a balcony…
- ARC ARC is an HDMI function that sends the television's sound back to a soundbar or audio system. So a single HDMI cable between television and soundbar is enough. The newer version…
- ASR ASR stands for the German Technical Rules for Workplaces. They describe requirements for workplaces, such as computer workstations, lighting or room climate. Many people also use…
- AU AU is the German abbreviation for Arbeitsunfähigkeit, meaning that someone cannot work because of illness. The AU guideline of the Federal Joint Committee governs how doctors…
B
- Backup A backup is a safety copy of data such as photos, contacts or documents. It is kept apart from the original, for example on an external hard drive or in the cloud. If a device is…
- BaFin BaFin is the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority for banks, insurers and securities trading. It also publishes information for consumers, for example on online banking.
- BAuA The BAuA is a German federal authority that deals with health and safety at work. It publishes rules and guidance, for example on setting up a computer workstation.
- BBK The BBK is the German federal authority for protecting the population in disasters and major emergencies. It publishes guides, for example on preparing for a power cut and on…
- BFSG The BFSG is the German Accessibility Strengthening Act for products and services. It names requirements so that devices, online shops and banking services are usable for people…
- BGB The BGB is the German Civil Code, the main law for private matters in everyday life. Among other things, it covers purchase and rental contracts, warranty claims and the form of…
- BIOS The BIOS is the basic software of a computer that starts before the operating system. Its settings control things like the boot order and security features. Newer computers mostly…
- BMDS The BMDS is the German federal ministry responsible for digital affairs and modernising public administration. It publishes plans and information, for example on digital services…
- Browser A browser is the program used to open and display web pages. You type an address at the top or search for a word. Many browsers can also save passwords and manage bookmarks.
- BSI The BSI is the German federal authority for security on computers and the internet. It publishes recommendations, also for private households, for example on passwords, routers…
- BZgA BZgA is the abbreviation of the German Federal Centre for Health Education, a federal authority. It informs the public about health topics, for example with guide values on screen…
C
- CD A CD is a flat, round disc that stores music, programs or data. Printers and other devices used to come with CDs containing drivers. Today this software is mostly downloaded from…
- CEC CEC is an HDMI function that lets connected devices control each other. For example, the television remote can then also adjust the soundbar volume. Depending on the manufacturer…
- Cloud The cloud is storage space on the internet that a provider makes available on its computers. You can keep photos, documents and backups there. You can then reach the data from…
- CO2 CO2 is the chemical shorthand for carbon dioxide, a colourless gas in the air. In living rooms its level rises through breathing, and some indoor climate meters display it. In…
- CSA The CSA is an international association of companies that develops wireless standards for the smart home. These include the Matter standard, which is meant to let devices from…
- CSS CSS is the language that defines how a web page looks, such as colours, fonts and spacing. A CSS pixel is a unit for sizes on the screen, independent of the actual screen…
D
- DBSV The DBSV is the German self-help association of blind and partially sighted people. It represents their interests and provides information on help in everyday life, including…
- DC DC stands for direct current, electricity that flows steadily in one direction. Batteries supply direct current, for example in robotic mowers and electric cars.
- DECT DECT is the radio standard for cordless phones in the home. The handsets connect by radio to a base station, which is often the router itself.
- DGUV The DGUV is the German Social Accident Insurance, the umbrella body of the statutory accident insurers. It publishes information on safety and health at work, for example on…
- DIN DIN is the German Institute for Standardization. It publishes standards that describe technical requirements, for example for smoke alarms or door locks. Such standards carry the…
- DIY DIY means doing work yourself instead of hiring a professional. In the household it refers, for example, to connecting or setting up devices on your own.
- DKE The DKE is a German commission that develops standards for electrical engineering. These cover, for example, electrical devices in the home and garden. It is supported jointly by…
- DSL DSL is a technology for fast internet over the copper telephone line. Many households use DSL, others a cable or fibre connection.
- DVB DVB is a family of standards for digital television. DVB-T2 refers to reception via an aerial, and other variants exist for cable and satellite.
- DVD A DVD is a silver disc that stores films, music or data. It is played in a DVD player or in a drive in a computer.
E
- EBU The EBU is an association of broadcasters, mainly public service broadcasters in Europe. It publishes technical recommendations, for example on the loudness of television and…
- EC EC stands for European Community, a former name for part of today's European Union. Older European directives and recommendations therefore carry the abbreviation in their number.
- EGovG The EGovG is the German federal E-Government Act on electronic administration. Among other things, it covers how federal authorities work digitally, for example with electronic…
- Encryption Encryption uses a secret key to make data unreadable to anyone who does not have the key. It is used, for example, for Wi-Fi, for data stored on a phone or for messages. The data…
- EnWG The EnWG is the German Energy Industry Act on the supply of electricity and gas. Among other things, it covers the power grids, grid operators and questions around grid…
- EStG The EStG is the German Income Tax Act, which governs the tax on the income of individuals. It also covers which expenses can play a role in a tax return. A tax adviser can say…
- ESU ESU is a program of extended security updates for an operating system after regular support has ended. It keeps an older computer supplied with security fixes for a while longer.
- EU The EU is a union of European states with shared rules and a common market. It adopts joint rules, for example on charging ports for devices, data protection or digital identity…
- EUDI EUDI stands for the European digital identity. It refers to a phone app meant for showing your identity card and other documents digitally.
- EV EV is short for electric vehicle, a car with an electric motor and a battery. As an addition to a type designation, EV marks components intended for charging electric cars.
F
- FADGI FADGI is a working group of US federal agencies that publishes guidelines for digitisation. It describes quality levels, for example for scanning photos, slides and negatives…
- FAST FAST refers to free television channels on the internet that are funded by advertising. You find them in apps on smart TVs or streaming sticks and watch them like regular…
- Fibre Fibre is a cable made of very thin optical fibres that carry data as light signals. A fibre connection brings the internet into the house or flat this way. It usually needs its…
- Firmware Firmware is the built-in software of a device such as a router, television or robot vacuum. It controls the basic functions of the device. Manufacturers release updates for it…
G
- GB A GB is a unit for amounts of data. You meet it with memory, storage space on phones and computers, or mobile data allowances.
- GDPR The GDPR is a regulation of the European Union on the protection of personal data. It governs when and how data such as names, addresses, photos or health data may be processed…
- GDV The GDV is the German Insurance Association, the umbrella body of insurance companies in Germany. Among other things, it publishes statistics on damage, for example from burst…
- GHz Gigahertz is a unit of frequency, that is, how fast a radio wave oscillates. With WiFi it names the radio band in which the router and devices transmit.
- GKV GKV stands for German statutory health insurance. Its central association represents the health insurance funds and keeps, for example, the directory of care aids.
- GP A GP is a family doctor in general medicine. The GP practice is usually the first place people turn to with health questions.
- GPS GPS is a satellite system that lets devices determine their location. Phones, navigation devices and some robotic mowers use it to find their way.
H
- HAWK HAWK is a university of applied sciences and arts in Lower Saxony, with campuses including Hildesheim. It offers degree programmes in fields such as design, social work, health…
- HD HD stands for high picture resolution, meaning a sharper image than the older standard resolution. Full HD is a common level for televisions, webcams and streaming.
- HDD An HDD is a classic hard drive with spinning disks on which a computer stores data. It offers plenty of space but works more slowly than modern storage without moving parts.
- HDMI HDMI is a socket with a matching cable that carries picture and sound between devices. It connects, for example, a television, projector, soundbar, games console or streaming…
- HIV HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. In healthcare, information about it is regarded as particularly sensitive data, for example in a patient record.
- HOA An HOA is the association of all owners of the flats in a building. It decides jointly on matters that affect the whole building, such as connections, cables or alterations.
- Home network The home network is your household's own network, usually set up by the router. It includes every device connected by Wi-Fi or cable, such as phones, televisions, printers and…
- HPI The HPI is a computer science research institute in Potsdam, Germany. Among other things, it analyses published data leaks. It also lets people check whether their own email…
I
- IBAN The IBAN is the internationally standardised number of a bank account. It is needed for credit transfers and direct debits. It appears, for example, on bank statements or on…
- ICT ICT is the umbrella term for technology that processes and transmits information. It includes computers, phones, the internet and telephony. The Federal Statistical Office…
- IEC The IEC is an international organisation that publishes standards for electrical engineering. Its standards describe, for example, connections and signals for televisions and…
- IMEI The IMEI is the serial number that identifies a mobile phone in the mobile network. You find it in the phone's settings or on the packaging. If the phone is lost or stolen, it can…
- IoT IoT stands for the Internet of Things. It means everyday devices that are connected to the internet, such as cameras, plugs, lamps or thermostats.
- IPTC The IPTC is an international association of press and media companies. It describes a standard for storing details such as the date taken, place or author in photo files.
- ISE ISE stands for the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. It researches solar power, storage and heat pumps and publishes studies on these topics.
- IT IT stands for information technology, meaning everything to do with computers, networks and software. In companies, an IT department often looks after this technology.
- ITU The ITU is the International Telecommunication Union, an agency of the United Nations. It develops worldwide recommendations for telephone, radio, broadcasting and sound.
- IUCN The IUCN is an international association of states and nature conservation organisations. It maintains the Red List, which shows how endangered animal and plant species are.
J
- JIM The JIM study is a regular survey of how young people in Germany use media. It shows, for example, how long and for what young people use smartphones and the internet.
- JMStV The JMStV is a treaty between the German federal states. It protects children and young people in broadcasting and on the internet. Among other things, it covers age ratings and…
- JPEG JPEG is a widely used file format for photos, named after the committee that developed it. It keeps files small by slightly simplifying the image data. Most devices and programs…
- JuSchG The JuSchG is the German Youth Protection Act. It governs age ratings for films and games, among other things. Many devices let you set these ratings as a limit.
K
- KBV The KBV is the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Germany. Among other things, it describes procedures such as video consultations and electronic…
- KfW The KfW is a German state-owned development bank. It grants development loans and runs funding programmes, for example around housing and saving energy.
- KG A KG is a German form of partnership in which at least one partner is personally liable. The abbreviation appears in the company name, for example in GmbH und Co. KG.
- KIM The KIM study is a regular German survey on how children use media. It is published by a media education research association in south-west Germany. Parents and schools find…
L
- LAN A LAN is a local network, usually with cables, that connects devices in the house. A LAN cable links a TV, computer or wallbox directly to the router, for example.
- LUFS LUFS is a unit for the perceived loudness of sound. Broadcasters use such values so that programmes and adverts sound similarly loud.
M
- MaStR The MaStR is an official German register for systems that generate or store electricity. Solar systems, balcony solar units and battery storage, for example, are entered there.
- Media library A media library is the online service of a television channel where programmes are available to watch later. You open it through an app on the television, tablet or phone, or in…
- Mesh Mesh describes a Wi-Fi made up of several devices that together form one shared wireless network. The devices coordinate with each other and spread the signal through the whole…
N
- NA NA is the German abbreviation for grid and system protection. This device is meant to disconnect a system such as a balcony solar plant if the grid fails. In small systems it is…
- NABU NABU is a large nature conservation association in Germany. It campaigns for animals and plants and gives tips, for example on protecting hedgehogs in the garden.
- NAS A NAS is a small storage box with hard drives, connected to the router in the home network. All devices in the household can store photos, documents and backups on it.
- NBauO The NBauO is the building code of the German state of Lower Saxony. It sets out requirements for buildings and flats, including fire protection such as smoke alarms.
- NFC NFC is a radio technology for exchanging data over a very short distance of a few centimetres. It is used, for example, for contactless payment with a card or phone. The chip in a…
- NRW NRW is the abbreviation for North Rhine-Westphalia, a federal state in western Germany. It appears, for example, in the name of the consumer advice centre there, which publishes…
O
- OG OG is the German abbreviation for an upper floor of a house. Wireless reception there is often weaker when the router is downstairs.
- OLG An OLG is a German higher regional court within a federal state. It mainly decides appeals against judgments of the regional courts.
- ONT The ONT is the network termination unit of a fibre connection. It converts the light signal of the fibre into a normal network signal for the router. Some routers have it built in.
- Operating system The operating system is the basic software that makes a computer, tablet or smartphone work at all. It manages the screen, storage and programs and starts the apps. Manufacturers…
P
- Parental controls Parental controls are settings that parents use to limit how children use devices and services. They can filter content, set usage times or block purchases, for example. They are…
- Passkey A passkey is a way to sign in without a password. You confirm the sign-in on your own device, for example by fingerprint, face or device PIN. The secret part of the key is not…
- Password manager A password manager is a program that stores login details in encrypted form in one place. You then need to remember just a single main password. The program can create strong…
- PC A PC is a computer for an individual person, for example at a desk or as a laptop. At home it is used for things like email, photos, letters and online banking.
- PDF PDF is a file format for documents that looks the same on most devices. Invoices, forms and scanned letters are often saved as a PDF or sent by email.
- Phishing Phishing is a scam in which fake emails, messages or websites try to obtain login details. The messages often look as if they come from a bank, a parcel service or an authority…
- PIN A PIN is a secret sequence of digits for signing in on a device or with a card. You come across it with a bank card, the SIM card in a phone or at a wallbox.
- PNG PNG is an image file format that saves without loss of quality. It is suitable for screenshots, graphics and scanned documents, for example.
- PSD2 The PSD2 is a European Union directive on payment services. Among other things, it covers strong customer authentication, meaning approval with several factors. In online banking…
- PUK The PUK is a numeric code belonging to the SIM card of a mobile phone. It unlocks the card after the PIN has been entered wrongly too often. It is usually printed on the card…
- PV PV stands for photovoltaics, the generation of electricity from sunlight using solar modules. At home you meet it as a system on the roof or as a small balcony solar unit. The…
R
- RAID RAID means combining several hard drives in one device, such as a network storage box. With mirroring, the data is stored twice, so a failed drive does not straight away mean lost…
- RAM RAM is the working memory of a computer, tablet or phone. It holds the programs and data the device is working with right now. Too little RAM can make a device noticeably slow.
- RC RC stands for the resistance class of burglar-resistant doors, windows and grilles under a European standard. The higher the class, the longer a component is meant to withstand a…
- RCD An RCD is a protective switch in the fuse box meant to cut power when current leaks away. It comes in different types. It is installed by a qualified electrician.
- Repeater A repeater is a small extra device that picks up an existing Wi-Fi signal and sends it on. This lets the Wi-Fi reach rooms where it is otherwise weak. It is usually plugged into a…
- RKI The RKI is the Robert Koch Institute, a German federal authority for public health. It collects and publishes data on the health of the population, for example on falls in old age.
- Router A router is the device that connects the devices in your home to the internet. It usually also provides the Wi-Fi. Many routers can also connect phones and manage the devices on…
S
- SAIDI SAIDI is an indicator of how long the power supply to consumers is interrupted on average. The Federal Network Agency publishes this value for Germany.
- SEPA SEPA is the single European area for credit transfers and direct debits in euros. Within this area, payments follow common rules, with the IBAN as the account number.
- SGB The SGB is the German Social Code, which brings together German social law in several books. It covers, for example, health, pension and long-term care insurance. The individual…
- SIM The SIM is a small chip card that lets a mobile phone sign in to the mobile network. It belongs to the contract with the mobile provider and sits inside the device. With an eSIM…
- Smart home Smart home means connected technology in the household, such as lights, heating, sockets or door locks. The devices can be controlled by app, voice command or schedule. Many of…
- Smart meter A smart meter is a digital electricity meter with a unit that can transmit consumption data. In Germany it is also called an intelligent metering system. It can record usage in…
- SMS An SMS is a short text message sent to a phone over the mobile network. Banks and other services often send confirmation codes by SMS. Fraudsters also use SMS for fake messages…
- Soundbar A soundbar is a long, narrow speaker placed below or in front of the television. It can make the sound clearer and fuller than the built-in speakers of the television. It is…
- SSD An SSD is a data storage device without moving parts, as found in computers and notebooks. It works more quietly and usually faster than a classic hard disk. Switching to an SSD…
- SSID The SSID is the name of a Wi-Fi network that devices show when searching for networks. It is set in the router. A mesh system uses the same SSID throughout the home.
- StGB The StGB is the German Criminal Code, the law on criminal offences and their penalties. Among other things, it describes theft, fraud and the violation of the confidentiality of…
- Streaming Streaming means playing films, series or music directly over the internet without downloading them fully first. It needs a stable internet connection. It is used, for example…
T
- TAN A TAN is a one-time code used in online banking to approve a transfer, for example. It usually arrives through an app on the smartphone or a small separate device.
- TDDDG The TDDDG is a German act on data protection for telephone, internet and digital services. Among other things, it contains rules on phone numbers, calls and cookies.
- Thermostat A thermostat controls the temperature, usually on the radiator or on the wall. A smart thermostat can also be set by app or schedule. This lets the heating run cooler at night or…
- TIFF TIFF is a file format for images that can save without loss of quality. It suits archive copies of scanned photos, for example, but needs a lot of storage space.
- TKG The TKG is the German Telecommunications Act for telephone, internet and mobile services. Among other things, it governs the rights of customers towards their providers, for…
- TPM A TPM is a security chip in the computer that keeps keys and sign-in data protected. Some operating systems require it for installation. It is often present but switched off in…
- TR A TR is a technical guideline issued by the German Federal Office for Information Security. It describes requirements for technology, for example for scanning paper documents.
- TV TV is the short form of television. It can mean the programmes you watch or the television set itself. A smart TV is a set that connects to the internet and runs apps.
- Two-factor sign-in With this kind of sign-in you need a further proof in addition to the password. This can be a code from an app or by text message, or a confirmation on your phone. A stolen…
U
- UBA The UBA is the German Environment Agency, the federal authority for environmental matters. It publishes guides for consumers, for example a guideline on mould in homes and on…
- UEFI UEFI is the basic software of modern computers that starts before the operating system. It is the successor to the BIOS and offers features such as a protected system start. Its…
- UK In German standardisation work, UK stands for Unterkomitee, meaning subcommittee. At the DKE, such groups prepare standards for particular kinds of equipment, such as garden tools.
- UNESCO UNESCO is the United Nations organisation for education, science and culture. It maintains the World Heritage List of significant cultural and natural sites.
- Update An update is a new version of software, apps or firmware. It can fix errors, close security gaps and add new features. Devices often offer updates themselves or install them…
- UPnP UPnP is a convenience feature that lets home network devices find each other and change router settings. Devices can open access to the internet without asking. The feature can be…
- US US stands for the United States of America. The abbreviation appears, for example, before authorities, guidelines or the currency US dollar.
- USA USA is the abbreviation for the United States of America, a country in North America.
- USB USB is a common connection for cables, chargers and storage such as USB sticks. Devices can be charged and data transferred over USB. The newer plug that fits either way round is…
- UStDV The UStDV is a German ordinance that sets out the VAT Act in detail. Among other things, it covers details of invoices, for example for small amounts.
- UStG The UStG is the German VAT Act. It governs value added tax. Among other things, it names details that appear on an invoice.
- UWG The UWG is the German Act against Unfair Competition. Among other things, it contains rules on advertising calls and misleading advertising.
V
- VA VA stands for volt-ampere, a unit for the power of electrical equipment, more precisely the apparent power. You find it on inverters of balcony solar systems and on power…
- VAT VAT is the tax included in the price of goods and services. In German it is called Mehrwertsteuer or Umsatzsteuer. A price marked incl. VAT already contains this tax.
- VDE VDE is the German association for electrical engineering, electronics and information technology. It draws up technical rules, for example for connecting balcony solar systems to…
- Voice assistant A voice assistant is software that understands and carries out spoken commands. It is found in smart speakers, phones or televisions. It can, for example, play music, answer…
- VPN A VPN is an encrypted connection over the internet into another network. When working from home, it lets you reach your company network, for example.
- VwVfG The VwVfG is the German Administrative Procedure Act. Among other things, it governs how applications and official decisions are handled, including in electronic form.
W
- W3C The W3C is an international body that develops technical standards for the web. These include guidelines on making websites and apps easier to use for people with impairments.
- Wallbox A wallbox is a charging station for electric cars that is fixed to a wall or a post. It usually charges faster than an ordinary household socket. Many wallboxes can be operated by…
- WEP WEP is an old method for encrypting WiFi networks. It has long been considered insecure and was replaced by the newer methods of the WPA family.
- WHO The WHO is the World Health Organization of the United Nations. It publishes worldwide reports and estimates on health topics, for example on falls, eyesight or hearing.
- WiFi WiFi is a wireless network that lets devices go online without a cable. At home, the router usually provides it. Phones, laptops, TVs or printers connect to it with a password.
- WPA WPA is the name for the methods used to encrypt a Wi-Fi network. There are several versions, and the newer ones are considered more secure than the older ones. The router's Wi-Fi…
- WPA2 WPA2 is a method of encrypting a Wi-Fi network and the predecessor of today's standard. It encrypts the radio traffic between the router and the devices. Many routers offer a…
- WPA3 WPA3 is a method that encrypts the data sent over a Wi-Fi network. It is switched on in the router. Some older devices do not support it yet.
- WPS WPS is a router feature that connects devices to the Wi-Fi network at the press of a button. It is considered a possible point of attack and can be switched off in the router…
Term not covered?
Our FAQ covers more about how a project runs — or simply ask us directly.