S terms

An isolated environment where software runs without affecting the rest of the device.

Like a children's sandpit — what happens inside stays inside and cannot mess up the garden.

Bookmarking a social media post so you can find it again later.

Like tearing out a magazine page to keep for reference.

A dishonest attempt to trick people into giving money or information.

Like a con artist pretending to be trustworthy.

The security feature that locks your phone screen after a period of inactivity, requiring a PIN, password, or biometric to unlock.

Like the automatic locking mechanism on a front door after you step inside.

The number of pixels on a screen — higher resolution means a sharper, more detailed image.

Like the difference between a painting with a million tiny dots versus one with a thousand — more dots means more detail.

Showing your screen to others during a call.

Like projecting your computer onto a wall.

The amount of time your phone waits before automatically turning off the display to save battery.

Like lights on a timer that turn off after you leave a room.

A picture of what is currently on your screen.

Like taking a photograph of your display.

A feature or app that lets you capture what is on your screen and save it as an image.

Like taking a photograph of whatever is displayed in front of you.

A small removable card that provides extra storage for cameras, phones, and other devices.

Like a portable filing card slot you can move between devices.

A box where you type what you want to find.

Like asking a question at an information desk.

A service that helps you find information online.

Like a librarian helping you find a book.

Special commands typed into a search engine to refine results, like using quotes for exact phrases or site: to search one website.

Like using advanced filters when searching a database.

A webpage shown by a search engine in response to your query.

Like a recommendation from a librarian in response to your question.

A formal review of an organisation's security measures and policies.

Like an annual inspection of a building to check that all safety measures are in order.

A personal question set up during account registration, used to verify your identity if you forget your password.

Like a secret code phrase known only to you, used as a backup key.

The practice of improving a website so it appears higher in search engine results.

Like arranging a shop front and signage so more people walking past notice it.

A computer that provides information to other devices.

Like a restaurant kitchen serving many customers.

An error shown when a server is temporarily unable to handle requests, often due to maintenance or overload.

Like a shop with a "Closed for stocktake" sign — temporarily unavailable, not gone for good.

A temporary cookie deleted as soon as you close your browser.

Like a visitor pass that expires when you leave the building.

A temporary code given to your browser after logging in that keeps you signed in without re-entering your password on every page.

Like a wristband at an event that lets you re-enter without showing your ticket each time.

Singapore's unified QR code standard that combines multiple payment schemes into one QR code.

Like one universal plug adapter that works with every payment method.

Reducing the visibility of a user's content without telling them, so their posts reach fewer people.

Like speaking in a meeting but having your microphone quietly turned down so fewer people hear you.

Reposting someone else's content so your own followers can see it.

Like photocopying a leaflet and passing it on to friends.

A button that lets you forward content to your own followers or send it directly to someone.

Like a forward button on email — it sends the content to more people.

A virtual basket on an e-commerce website where you add items before proceeding to payment.

Like a real supermarket trolley — collect items and pay at checkout.

Using your existing social media account (like Facebook or Google) to log in to a different app or website.

Like using your company ID card to access a partner building.

A measure of how strong your network connection is.

Like how clearly you can hear a radio station.

A small chip inserted into a phone that identifies your account with the mobile network and enables calls, SMS, and data.

Like a passport for your phone on the mobile network.

A scam where a criminal convinces your telco to transfer your phone number to their SIM card, allowing them to receive your OTPs.

Like someone convincing the post office to redirect all your mail to their address.

A city that uses digital technology and data to improve services, transport, safety, and quality of life.

Like a city where the infrastructure thinks for itself — adjusting traffic lights, managing energy, and anticipating needs.

A self-executing agreement stored on a blockchain where the terms are written in code.

Like a vending machine — put in the right coin and the item is automatically released, no middleman needed.

An electricity network that uses digital technology to monitor and adjust supply and demand efficiently.

Like a traffic management system for electricity — automatically redirecting power where it is needed.

Household devices connected to the internet and controlled digitally.

Like having a home assistant helping manage your house.

A voice-activated speaker that can answer questions, play music, control smart home devices, and set reminders.

Like a helpful assistant that lives in a small cylinder on your shelf.

A television that can connect to the internet.

Like combining a TV and a computer.

A watch with features similar to a smartphone.

Like a tiny phone worn on your wrist.

Standard text messages sent between mobile phones via the phone network.

Like a short written note delivered by the telephone network.

Manipulation tactics used by scammers to trick people into revealing information or taking harmful actions.

Like a con artist who talks their way past security rather than breaking in.

Websites and apps where people share content and communicate.

Like a large community notice board.

The influence that seeing others approve of something has on your own decision to trust or use it.

Like choosing a restaurant because there is already a queue outside.

A newer version of software with fixes and improvements.

Like servicing your car regularly.

Unwanted emails, messages, or advertisements.

Like junk flyers stuffed into your mailbox.

A tool that automatically detects unwanted messages.

Like a guard sorting junk mail from important mail.

A device that plays sound.

Like a loud voice coming from a box.

Technology that converts spoken words into text, used in voice assistants and transcription tools.

Like a very fast typist who transcribes everything you say in real time.

Dividing the cost of a shared expense among multiple people, often facilitated by a payment app.

Like dividing a restaurant bill equally among friends.

A search result that appears at the top because the website paid to be shown there.

Like a paid advertisement placed at the front of a directory listing.

Software secretly installed on a device to collect information about the user without their knowledge.

Like a hidden microphone in a room recording everything without the occupant knowing.

A faster, more durable type of storage that uses memory chips instead of moving parts.

Like replacing a spinning record player with a flash drive — faster and no moving parts.

A digital certificate that enables HTTPS on a website, verifying its identity and encrypting the connection.

Like an official identity badge that proves who you are and that the connection is secure.

A type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value, often pegged to a real currency like the US dollar.

Like a digital token always worth one dollar — designed to avoid the wild price swings of other cryptocurrencies.

Software secretly installed on a device to monitor someone's messages, location, and activities.

Like a hidden tracking device placed in someone's bag without their knowledge.

The space used to save files on a device.

Like cupboards in a house.

A photo or short video that disappears after 24 hours, available on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Like a notice board that clears itself every day.

Watching or listening to content over the internet without downloading it.

Like water flowing from a tap when needed.

The resolution at which video is streamed — SD is standard definition, HD is high definition, and 4K is ultra-sharp.

Like choosing between a standard print, a large glossy print, and a wall-sized photograph.

A password that is long, uses a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and is unique to one account.

Like a complex, unique lock that is very difficult to pick.

A pen-shaped tool used to write or draw on a touchscreen with greater precision than a finger.

Like a digital pen for your tablet or phone.

A prefix added before a domain name to create a separate section of a website, like help.example.com.

Like different departments in a building — same address but different doors.

Someone who signs up to receive content from a specific creator or channel.

Like a loyal reader who subscribes to a magazine to receive every issue.

A service you pay for regularly to continue using.

Like a magazine delivered every month.

The feeling of being overwhelmed by having too many paid subscriptions.

Like signing up for too many clubs and not having time or money for all of them.

An automated chatbot that answers common customer questions before connecting you to a human.

Like pressing numbers on a phone menu to route your call — automated first, human later.

Moving your finger across the touchscreen to navigate, delete, or scroll.

Like brushing crumbs off a table to clear content, or turning a page in a book.

Keeping information the same across devices.

Like updating several copies of the same notebook.

A feature that keeps your preferences and data the same across all your devices automatically.

Like having your reading glasses prescription updated in all your pairs at once.

An app that comes pre-installed on your device by the manufacturer and is essential to how it runs.

Like the fittings in a new flat — they were there when you moved in and the flat needs them to function.