VMPlus Computer and Internet Glossary

A Backlink is a clickable hyperlink that directs users from one website to another. Search engines like Google, Bing and others use backlinks as a ranking factor, meaning websites with more high-quality backlinks tend to rank higher in search results. If a lot of websites have Backlinks to your website, it may get a higher search ranking.

Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data which can be transmitted over a local network or internet connection in a given amount of time. Bandwidth is often mistaken for internet speed. It is generally calculated in megabits per second (Mbps). Bandwidth is how much information you receive every second, while Speed is how fast that information is received or downloaded.

A Bulletin Board System (BBS) is an early form of online communication where users could dial into a computer system using a modem to access message boards, share files, and connect with other users. Think of a BBS as a precursor to modern forums, social networking, and online communities, predating the widespread adoption of the internet.

In computing, a Bit (short for "binary digit") is the smallest unit of digital information. It represents a logical state with one of two possible values, typically 0 or 1, or off or on.  Computers use combinations of Bits to represent information, including numbers, text, images, and instructions so Bits are fundamental to how computers work. (Also see Byte)

A Blind Link refers to a hyperlink that lacks descriptive text, making it unclear where it leads. This can be confusing for users, including those with visual impairments who rely on screen readers to navigate the web. Blind links typically use text like " Click here" or just the URL itself, which doesn't provide context to the user. This is sometimes considered deceptive coming from the Internet advertising/marketing world, but it is still commonly used.

A Blog (short for “weblog”) is an online journal or informational website run by an individual, group, or business that offers regularly updated content (blog posts) about a topic. It usually presents information in reverse chronological order and it's written in an informal or conversational style. Many Blogs include people's opinions, photos, and videos about a particular subject.

The saving of a website address (URL) or specific webpage in your Browser allowing you to easily visit the website again. The term bookmarking is also used when in reference to Social Bookmarking, where you post and share your favorite websites.

Internet Bots are automated software programs that perform tasks on the internet, often mimicking human activity. They can be beneficial, like search engine crawlers, or malicious, like Bots used for spam or cyberattacks. A significant portion of internet traffic is generated by Bots, with some reports indicating that nearly half of all traffic may be Bots.

Bounce as applied to email means an email message failed to reach the intended recipient and was returned to the sender. This can happen for various reasons, either temporarily (soft bounce) or permanently (hard bounce). Bounced emails are a sign that something went wrong with the delivery process.

Bounce Rate for a Website is a number that shows the percentage of website visits where a visitor leaves after viewing only one page. It's a key indicator of website engagement and user experience, as it can reveal whether visitors find the content engaging enough to explore further. A high Bounce Rate can suggest issues like poor design, slow loading times, or irrelevant content. Bounce Rate is calculated by dividing the number of bounces (single-page sessions) by the total number of website entrances.

A Browser is software that resides on your computer which can be used to request information from the Internet. Software on the Web Server sends the Web page information back to your Browser. It is your browser which interprets the Site coding in order to display them correctly on your monitor.
Some of the most popular and secure Browsers are:
Firefox, Waterfox, Slim Browser, Microsoft Edge, Safari, FreeNet, SeaMonkey, Chromium, Epic, Vivaldi, Google Chrome, Brave, OmniWeb, Torch.

A Byte is a group of binary digits or bits (which represent a 0 or 1.) which reside in computer memory. Generally, 8 Bits will make up a Byte. In computers for example, Bytes are typically used to measure memory and file sizes, serving as the basis for larger units like kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes, etc. (Also see Bit)