# VPN and internet glossary | Zenshield Understand network terminology with plain definitions, practical examples and checks you can use. Website: https://zenshield.com/glossary Canonical URL: https://zenshield.com/glossary ## Connection terms, explained. Understand network terminology with plain definitions, practical examples and checks you can use. 24 results [Network glossary ## What is bandwidth? Bandwidth describes a connection’s capacity to transfer data over time. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/bandwidth)[Glossary ## What is browser fingerprinting? Learn how browser characteristics can be combined, why changing your IP is not enough, and what a browser-information check can tell you. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/browser-fingerprinting)[Network glossary ## What is carrier-grade NAT? Carrier-grade NAT places address translation inside an internet provider’s network. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/cgnat)[Network glossary ## What is a data allowance? A data allowance is an amount of transferred data included under a plan’s rules for a stated period. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/data-allowance)[Glossary ## What is a DNS cache? Understand stored DNS answers, TTLs and why a changed domain record may not appear immediately in every browser or network. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/dns-cache)[Glossary ## What is DNS over HTTPS? See what encrypted DNS protects, where browser DNS settings fit, and why DoH does not replace a VPN. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/dns-over-https)[Network glossary ## What is DNS? DNS connects domain names with records such as the IP addresses used to reach a service. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/dns)[Network glossary ## What is HTTPS? HTTPS carries HTTP over a connection protected by TLS. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/https)[Glossary ## What is IPsec VPN? Understand IPsec’s role in protecting IP traffic, how IKEv2 fits, and what to check before using an IPsec configuration. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/ipsec)[Network glossary ## What is IPv4? IPv4 is an Internet Protocol version that uses 32-bit addresses, commonly displayed as four numbers separated by dots. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/ipv4)[Network glossary ## What is IPv6? IPv6 is an Internet Protocol version with a much larger address space than IPv4. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/ipv6)[Network glossary ## What is jitter? Jitter is variation in packet timing or delay. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/jitter)[Glossary ## What is a VPN kill switch? Learn what a kill switch blocks, how its scope can differ, and what to check before relying on it during a lost VPN connection. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/kill-switch)[Network glossary ## What is latency? Latency is the delay experienced along a network path. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/latency)[Network glossary ## What is NAT? Network address translation changes address information as traffic passes between networks. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/nat)[Network glossary ## What is packet loss? Packet loss means traffic sent along a path does not arrive as expected. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/packet-loss)[Network glossary ## What is a proxy? A proxy receives and forwards requests on behalf of a client. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/proxy)[Network glossary ## What is a public IP address? A public IP address is used on the internet-facing path of a connection. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/public-ip)[Glossary ## What is VPN split tunneling? Understand included and excluded app traffic, why a browser test can differ from another app, and how to check a split-tunnel rule. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/split-tunneling)[Glossary ## Static vs dynamic IP addresses Distinguish a stable address from an automatically assigned one, and separate public, local, shared and dedicated addresses. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/static-ip)[Network glossary ## What is TCP? TCP is a transport protocol that provides an ordered, reliable byte stream between applications. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/tcp)[Network glossary ## What is TLS? Transport Layer Security is a protocol used to protect communications between endpoints. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/tls)[Network glossary ## What is UDP? UDP sends datagrams without providing TCP’s built-in ordered stream and delivery guarantees. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/udp)[Glossary ## What is WebRTC? Understand browser calls, connection candidates and why a WebRTC address check differs from a public IP lookup or DNS test. ](https://zenshield.com/glossary/webrtc)