DAT :
Stands for Digital Audio Tape, and is mostly used as a Back-up storage device. There are currently 5 different size of DAT, ranging from 2/4GB up to 35/72GB. The sizes include 2 numbers, this shows how much information you can get on to the DAT uncompressed, and the second number is the amount it can store compressed. DAT's are fairly common, but are steadily being replaced by the higher capacity and speed DLT Drive.
Denial of Service
attack :
An attempt to shut down web servers and email systems by bombarding them with exessive messages or attachments.
Dial-up :
Dial-up is the first method for connecting to the internet. Dial-up is slow and unreliable, and is being driven out by the much faster method of Broadband
Dictionary attack :
A Program that floods messages to a mail server with alphabetically generated email addresses in an attempt that some of the email addresses will be guessed correctly. This same program can be used to guess passwords.
Digital Signiture :
A way of ensuring that a message is from who it says its from, and that the message has not been tampered with in any way.
DLT :
Digital Linear Tape. Used to store Back-ups and are a lot faster than their main rival, the DAT, and can store much more data - more than 160GB if compressed.
Domain :
The web address, such as www.kamarincomputers.co.uk, owned by a person or company.
DOS :
Microsoft DOS, or Disc Operating Systems, was the original PC operating system before Windows. the command prompt (C:\> ) is still used for certain applications in Windows, particularly troubleshooting, and software that deals with the workings of the computer.
DOS Boot Sector :
The Boot Sector that loads the DOS into the RAM. This is the part a Boot Sector Virus would attack.
Download :
Transferring information from a Network or the Internet onto a computer, or put simply a download is a file that has been downloaded.
Driver :
A type of Software that communicates between the computer and its Hardware. Sometimes known as a device driver as it controlls Peripheral devices such as printers and scanners. Drivers are usually updated often to keep up to date with Operating Systems and and generally get the best from the Hardware.
DVD :
Original stood for Digital Video Disc, due to the fact the mainly had films on them, but now known as the Digita Versatile Disc, as they can now be used like cd's to hold a range of different things like software, but can hold a lot more information. DVD Recorders are a feature of many modern computers.
DVD-R :
Digital Versatile Disc - Recordable. Store up to 9.4GB on a single disc. You can only record on to them a single time.
DVD-RW :
Digital Versatile Disc - ReWritable. Store up to 9.4GB on a single disc, but unlike the DVD-R, you can re-record data on to the disc.