Understand the words hosting and VPN sites use.
This glossary is here so you don’t have to pretend you understand every buzzword on a sales page. Each term is explained in simple language, with examples of when it matters.
Hosting terms
These are common phrases you’ll see when you’re choosing web hosting for a website.
Your website sits on a server that you “share” with other sites. It’s usually the cheapest option and is fine for new or small websites with low traffic.
Hosting designed just for WordPress where the company helps with updates, security, and performance. It costs more but removes a lot of technical chores.
How much data your site can send to visitors over a month. More visitors or image-heavy pages use more bandwidth. “Unmetered” usually means they don’t track closely unless you abuse it.
How much space you have for your site’s files: pages, photos, backups, and emails (if included). For most small sites, 10–20 GB is more than enough.
The little padlock in the browser that shows your site uses a secure connection (https). Most good hosts include a basic SSL for free; you just need to turn it on.
The percentage of time your website is online and working. “99.9% uptime” means only a few minutes of downtime per month in normal conditions.
VPN terms
These show up on VPN comparison charts and security pages, especially when you’re looking at travel or remote-work VPNs.
A tool that routes your internet connection through an encrypted “tunnel”, which is especially helpful on public WiFi so others on the network can’t easily see what you’re doing.
A safety feature that cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, so your real IP address and traffic are not suddenly exposed by accident.
A promise that the VPN company does not store details about what you do online while connected. It’s important if privacy is one of your main reasons for using a VPN.
The countries and cities where the VPN has servers you can connect to. More locations can help with travel, content access, or avoiding congestion.
The way your data is scrambled so others can’t read it. You don’t need to know the algorithm names; just know that strong encryption is what keeps your traffic private.
A feature that lets you choose which apps go through the VPN and which use your normal connection. Useful if you want some apps “local” and others protected.
General “tool” terms
You’ll see these across hosting, SaaS tools, and security products. They’re often used in marketing, but they do have practical meaning.
A limited time where you can use a paid plan without being charged yet. Always double-check if you need to cancel before the trial ends to avoid auto-billing.
A promise that you can ask for a refund within a certain number of days if you’re not happy. Look for the number of days (like 30 or 45) and any conditions.
The main screen you log into to manage your service: your websites, VPN settings, billing, and support. A clean dashboard makes tools feel less overwhelming.
A dashboard that many hosting companies use to manage your website, email, backups, and files. It looks technical, but most beginners only need a few buttons (like WordPress install).
Settings that tell the internet where your website lives. When you connect a domain to hosting, you’re usually updating its DNS or nameservers — it's like giving your domain your new address.
A safe “private copy” of your website where you can test changes without affecting the real website. More advanced hosts include this automatically.
A unique number assigned to your device when you're online. Without a VPN, websites and apps can often see your real location and internet provider. A VPN hides it.
When online content is restricted to certain countries. VPNs help you access the correct region by connecting to servers in other locations.
A way for two tools or websites to talk to each other behind the scenes. You never see the API, but it’s what makes integrations work.
A tool that runs online rather than on your computer. Examples include website builders, file-storage apps, and VPNs. You don’t install anything complex — you just log in.
The ways you can get help: live chat, email, phone, or tickets. For beginners, 24/7 live chat is often the most reassuring option.