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An independent home technology reference. Not connected with the real-estate agency that previously operated on this domain; we do not sell property. This is not the website of Rosreestr or Gosuslugi.

Glossary

Glossary

Router settings, cloud apps and security emails are full of words that rarely get explained. Here you'll find short definitions without unnecessary theory: what a term means and why it's useful in everyday life. The definitions are grouped by topic: networks, data and cloud, and security. If a word appears in the guides on this site, you'll find it here.

Understanding a term means knowing why it matters to you. The rest you can safely leave to the specialists.

— Editor's note

How this section works: a term is included if it appears in home devices, services or our guides. Definitions are short and practical, without technical detail.

Networks

Router
A device that receives the internet connection from your provider and shares it with your home devices over Wi-Fi and cable.
Provider
The company that brings the internet to your building and is responsible for the line up to your home.
Network name (SSID)
The name of your Wi-Fi that appears in the list of networks on your phone. You can change it in the router settings.
Frequency band
The "lane" Wi-Fi uses: 2.4, 5 or 6 GHz. A lower frequency passes through walls farther, a higher one is faster at short range.
Mesh system
A set of several Wi-Fi units that work as one network and cover a large flat or house.
WPS
A feature for connecting to Wi-Fi quickly by pressing a button or entering a short code. For security reasons it's better to turn it off.

Data and cloud

Backup
A copy of important files kept somewhere else, from which they can be restored if the main device breaks or is lost.
3-2-1 rule
Widely accepted practice: three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one of them away from home, for example in the cloud.
Cloud storage
A service that keeps your files on its servers and gives you access to them over the internet.
Sync
Automatically keeping files the same across several devices. A file deleted on one device may disappear from the others too, so sync is no substitute for a backup.
Electronic extract
An official document issued electronically by an organisation or agency, for example an extract from Russia's EGRN property register ordered through Gosuslugi or the Rosreestr website.

Security

Social engineering
Deception in which a scammer works on a person rather than on technology: frightening, rushing or exploiting trust to obtain a code or money.
Verification code
A one-time code from a text message, email or app that you use to confirm a sign-in or a transaction. Never share it with anyone.
Multi-factor authentication
A sign-in that requires more than one confirmation, for example a password and a code from an app.
Authenticator app
An app on your phone that shows constantly changing one-time codes for signing in to accounts.
Password manager
An app that stores your passwords in encrypted form and fills them in when you sign in to websites.
WPA3
The current method for securing a Wi-Fi network. If older devices don't support it, the previous one, WPA2, is used.
  • Security

    How to spot phone scammers, what makes a good password and how to protect your home network.

  • Comparisons

    Wi-Fi generations, the 2.4 and 5/6 GHz bands and where to keep a backup, in easy-to-read tables.

  • FAQ

    Short answers about home internet, devices, backups and online services.

Sources

  • Wi-Fi Alliance
  • IEEE 802.11
  • NIST SP 800-63B-4
  • CISA (backup guidance)
  • Rosreestr (Russian Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography)

Service features, device settings and password requirements change over time. Before taking an important step, check the official help pages of the manufacturer, your internet provider or the government service.