So you’ve been doing your homework and have been reading about the benefits of using shared hosting from FatCow. However, every now and then you come across some strange or confusing term that is exclusive to the world of web hosting. Never fear! FatCow is here to help define some of these often used (and often confusing) web hosting and internet terms.
Server – A server is another name for a computer that is primarily used for powering services and applications running on that machine or network. Shared web hosting is powered by groups of these servers that are stored in a secure location.
Search engine – Search engines perform scans of all listings on the internet for websites that are relevant to any specified terms or phrases. The results of these searches showe ranked websites based on many factors, including the keywords and tags that are used when creating a website. Commonly used search engines include Google, Yahoo, and Bing.
Operating system – An operating system is the program used to run a local computer or device. Many desktop and laptop computers currently use Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8 ) or Mac OS. Mobile devices also use operating systems. Google currently offers the Android operating system for phones from many manufacturers, and iPhones and iPads use Apple’s iOS operating system.
Registrar – A registrar is a company that a domain must be purchased and maintained through. Common registrars include Tucows, FastDomain, and eNom. In addition to providing the online space and tools to create a website, some web hosts (such as FatCow) act as a registration service provider for domains. This partnership allows customers to be able to update both their website and their domain settings all in one convenient place.
Malware – Malware is software designed to compromise the security of your website. It includes viruses, spamming activity, and other types of “malicious software” that can threaten the safety and security of your website. (It’s a good thing that FatCow has FREE built-in malware protection to keep your account safe!)
The cloud / cloud computing – Using the cloud doesn’t mean that your information is being sent into an actual cloud in outer space! In reality, cloud computing takes advantage of the power of a group of linked computers or servers that share information across a network, rather than just storing it in a single physical location. Data stored in “the cloud” can easily be accessed via the internet, making it a more convenient solution for interacting with data from multiple locations. The notion of “the cloud” exists because of how this concept is usually illustrated, with all of the devices involved in the process located within a cloud-shaped symbol.