IT Acronyms List
Image by Amador Loureiro
The world of IT can’t stop creating acronyms – point proven! The number of acronyms (or portmanteau/terms that sound like acronyms) we have to deal with when trying to understand technology can be confusing, infuriating and funny all at once. We’ve listed out some which you may come across below - we know we’ll forever be adding to this list!
| Acronym | Stands For | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 2FA | Two-Factor Authentication | Account security system requiring users to use a secondary device to enable log in |
| AI | Artificial Intelligence | Generally used to refer to LLM tools which mimic human-like intelligence |
| API | Application Programming Interface | Used to connect and integrate software with each other |
| AR | Augmented Reality | Images etc. placed over the top of a live video feed to interact with and add to the information in the video |
| BIOS | Basic Input/Output System | The most basic software level of computers, used to control how the different hardware components interact with each other |
| Chat GPT | Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer | AI LLM chat program |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit | The chip on a computer/phone etc. which handles the actual computing – it processes information rather than storing it |
| CRT | Cathode Ray Tube | Old display technology used on TVs and monitors requiring a deep back behind the screen |
| CSS | Cascading Style Sheets | Form of programming language used to control the style of a document – often used to design webpages |
| CSV | Comma Separated Values | File format used to store basic tables with no complex formatting |
| DP | Display Port | Connector/cable for carrying digital video and audio |
| DVI | Digital Visual Interface | Connector/cable for carrying digital video |
| FTP | File Transfer Protocol | Background system/architecture for handling the transfer of files from one computer to another – usually via the internet |
| GIF | Graphics Interchange Format | Image file format – can hold a series of still images which can be played as a short video |
| GNU | Recursive acronym for "GNU's Not Unix" | Collection of free software, usable as an operating system |
| GPU | Graphics Processing Unit | Similar to a CPU, but dedicated and specialised at processing and displaying 3D graphics |
| GUI | Graphical User Interface | The display, controls etc. that are shown to a user in order to interact with a piece of software |
| HDD | Hard Disk Drive | Usually a high-capacity file storage device where the information is kept on rotating magnetic platters – not all "Hard Drives" are Hard Disk Drives. |
| HDMI | High-Definition Multimedia Interface | Connector/cable for carrying digital video and audio |
| HTML | HyperText Markup Language | Programming language usually used to display and format web pages |
| HTTP | HyperText Transfer Protocol | Internet protocol used to access webpages |
| iOS | iPhone Operating System | The fundamental software used to control and interact with iPhones |
| IP | Internet Protocol | Underlying communications protocol behind the internet |
| ISP | Internet Service Provider | A company which sets up a users access to the internet |
| IT | Information Technology | General term to describe anything related to computing and computer use |
| JPEG/JPG | Joint Photographic Experts Group | Compressed image file format, commonly used for photographs |
| LCD | Liquid Crystal Display | Technology behind many flatscreen monitors and TVs |
| LED | Light Emitting Diode | Efficient lighting technology – often used to illuminate monitor displays |
| Linux | Portmanteau of "Linus Torvalds + Unix" | Basis for, and general way to describe a type of free operating system. Widely used as the building-block for systems like servers |
| LLM | Large Language Model | Type of AI tool where the AI has been "trained" on a large data set |
| macOS | Mac Operating System | The fundamental software used to control and interact with Mac computers |
| MFA | Multi-Factor Authentication | Account security system requiring users to use at least one other device to enable log in |
| NFT | Non-Fungible Token | A unique online identifier used to make digital items one-of-a-kind |
| OSX | Operating System 10 | Up until 2016, was used as the branding for Mac computer operating systems |
| OTP | One-Time Password | A password or code which can be used to log in to an account once before expiring – may also have a time limit |
| P2P | Peer-to-Peer | A method of file transfer where files are downloaded from multiple user locations, rather than one central location |
| Portable Document Format | Generally non-editable file format developed by Adobe for printing and presentations | |
| PNG | Portable Network Graphics | Image file format with lossless data compression |
| PSU | Power Supply Unit | Component used to distribute power to other sub-components in a piece of technology – will often also lower the voltage before distributing |
| RAM | Random Access Memory | Extremely fast computer storage requiring constant power to function – used by open computer applications to function quickly |
| RFID | Radio-Frequency Identification | System using electromagnetic fields and tiny radio transponders to send data – often used for credit cards |
| SoC | System on a Chip | A computer system where all the required components (CPU, RAM etc.) are on a single chip, rather than separate components. Common in smart phones |
| SSD | Solid State Drive | A high-speed file storage device with no moving parts. More expensive and with less capacity than an HDD |
| UI | User Interface | A broad term describing how a user interacts with a computing system |
| Unix | Derived from "Unics" (Uniplexed Information and Computing Service | Older and basic class of computer operating system – once widely used |
| URL | Uniform Resource Locator | Unique code used to navigate to and display web pages |
| USB | Universal Serial Bus | Connector/cable for multiple digital data types |
| UX | User Experience | Broad term encompassing how a user interacts with a product or system |
| VGA | Video Graphics Array | Connector/cable for carrying analog video and audio |
| VPN | Virtual Private Network | System for shielding a user's internet usage and location - can be used to make a user appear to be in another country |
| VR | Virtual Reality | Hardware, usually goggles, which present a complete computer generated image to the user which moves with them |
| Wi-Fi | Invented brand name, not Wireless Fidelity | Protocol for distributing internet access from one device (often a router) to others |
| WPA | Wi-Fi Protected Access | A password protection system to secure Wi-Fi access |
| WPS | Wi-Fi Protected Setup | A streamlined system to easily set up a Wi-Fi network – usually via a button |
| XML | Extensible Markup Language | Basic formatting language used to create data files which can be easily read by programs |
| ZIP | Not an acronym – invented name to represent high speed | Compressed general file format – can hold multiple files and folders |