Glossary
A
.adm file
A system policy template file that defines the system policies and restrictions that you can set for the desktop, shell, and/or system security. See also System Policy.
.cab file
See cabinet (.cab) file.
.inf file
See information (.inf) file.
.ins file
See Internet settings (.ins) file.
Active Desktop
One of the two components installed with Windows Desktop Update. Active Desktop allows users to add active content, such as a stock ticker, to their desktop, taskbar, or folders. Users can also single-click files to run and open them. Active Desktop can be disabled in the Internet Explorer Administration Kit, even if Windows Desktop Update is installed.
ActiveX control
A reusable software component based on Microsoft's ActiveX technology that is used to add interactivity and more functionality, such as animation or a popup menu, to a Web page, applications, and software development tools.
add-on component
A component that is not included in your package, but is one that your users can install after they complete Windows Update Setup for Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Tools.
address
In reference to the Internet, the name of a site that users can connect to, such as www.microsoft.com, or the address of an e-mail recipient, such as name@example.microsoft.com. A typical address starts with a protocol name (such as ftp:// or http://) followed by the name of the organization that maintains the site. The suffix identifies the kind of organization. For example, commercial site addresses often end with .com.
answer file
A text file that scripts the answers for a series of graphical user interface (GUI) dialog boxes. The answer file for Setup, for example, automates the setup process. You can create or modify an answer file in a text editor or through Setup Manager. See also unattended Setup.
attached behavior
A behavior that binds asynchronously to a standard HTML element either through a CSS declaration of the behavior property or procedurally through the addBehavior and removeBehavior methods. Attached behaviors overwrite the default behavior of the element to which they are attached. See also element behavior.
Authenticode
A technology that makes it possible to identify who has published a piece of software and verify that it has not changed since publication.
automatic configuration
A process that lets corporate administrators manage and update user settings, system policies, and restrictions for Microsoft Internet Explorer from a central location. A pointer to an automatic-configuration file can be manually set within the browser or by configuring the browser installation using the IEAK.
automatic detection
A feature in the IEAK, based on Web Proxy AutoDiscovery (WPAD), that enables automatic configuration and automatic proxy to work when a user connects to a network the first time. With automatic detection turned on, the browser is automatically configured when it is started, even if the corporate administrator did not customize the browser. See also automatic configuration; automatic proxy; Web Proxy AutoDiscovery (WPAD).
automatic image resizing
The automatic resizing of larger pictures so that they fit within the dimensions of the browser window.
automatic proxy
A feature that allows an administrator to configure Internet Explorer so that the browser determines dynamically whether to connect directly to a host or to use a proxy server.
automatic search
A feature of Internet Explorer that enables users to type a word into the Address bar to search for frequently used pages. Users do not need to remember the exact URLs for these pages.
Automatic Version Synchronization (AVS)
A technology that automatically checks for updated versions of each Internet Explorer component every time the Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK) is run. Updated components can be downloaded from Microsoft and included in subsequent IEAK packages.
AVS
See Automatic Version Synchronization (AVS).
C
cabinet (.cab) file
A single file that stores multiple compressed files. These files are commonly used in software installation and to reduce the file size and the associated download time for Web content.
cache
An area on the hard disk reserved for storing images, text, and other files that the user previously viewed on the Internet.
certificate
See digital certificate.
certification authority (CA)
An entity responsible for establishing and vouching for the authenticity of public keys belonging to users (end entities) or other certification authorities. Activities of a certification authority can include binding public keys to distinguished names through signed certificates, managing certificate serial numbers, and certificate revocation. See also public key.
CMAK
See Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK).
code signing
The process of signing a completed Internet Explorer package with a digital certificate. Signing the package requires two steps: obtaining a digital certificate and signing the code. See also digital certificate.
Connection Manager
A client dialer used to obtain Internet access. It can be customized with the Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK).
Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK)
A tool for customizing the appearance and functionality of the Connection Manager.
cookie
A small file that an individual Web site stores on your computer. Web sites can use cookies to maintain information and settings, such as your customization preferences.
corporate administrator
An individual who is responsible for setting up and maintaining computers and applications across a corporation. Administrators also manage user and group accounts, assign passwords and permissions, and help users with networking issues.
custom element
In an HTML document, a user-defined element that has explicit namespaces.
Customization Wizard
See Internet Explorer Customization Wizard.
D
data binding
The process of associating the objects or controls of an application to a data source, such as a database field. The contents of a control associated with a data source are associated with values from a database.
DHCP
See Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
DHTML
See Dynamic HTML (DHTML).
Dial-Up Networking (DUN)
A connection to a data communications network using a public-switch telecommunications network rather than a dedicated circuit or other private network.
digital certificate
An electronic certification issued by certification authorities that shows where a program comes from and proves that the installation package has not been altered. Administrators should sign their code with a digital certificate if planning to distribute an Internet Explorer package over the Internet.
digital signature
A means for originators of a message, file, or other digitally encoded information to bind their identity to the information. The process of digitally signing information entails transforming the information, as well as some secret information held by the sender, into a tag called a signature.
DNS
See Domain Name System (DNS).
DNS server
A computer maintained by an ISP that matches IP addresses to host names. Some ISPs provide a specific DNS address.
Document Object Model
A World Wide Web Consortium specification that describes the structure of Dynamic HTML and XML documents in a way that allows them to be manipulated through a Web browser.
domain name
Name of the network connection used by DNS that defines the owner of that organization in a hierarchical format: server.organization.type. For example, www.whitehouse.gov identifies the Web server at the White House, which is part of the U.S. government. In an e-mail address, the domain name is located after the "@" sign.
Domain Name System (DNS)
A set of guidelines and rules developed by the Internet community at large, which allows the use of both domain name addresses (such as bluestem.prairienet.org) and IP addresses (such as 192.12.3.4) to navigate the Internet. The domain name address is used by human users and is automatically translated into the numerical IP address, which is used by packet-routing software.
DUN
See Dial-Up Networking (DUN).
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
A TCP/IP protocol that enables a network connected to the Internet to assign a temporary IP address to a host automatically when the host connects to the network. See also Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP); IP address.
Dynamic HTML (DHTML)
A collection of features that extends the capabilities of traditional HTML, giving Web authors more flexibility, design options, and creative control over the appearance and behavior of Web pages. See also Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).
E
element behavior
A behavior that binds to a standard HTML element such that it can never be detached; it is considered an intrinsic part of the element being defined. Element behaviors are used to define new elements. See also attached behavior.
encryption
A method for making data indecipherable to protect it from unauthorized viewing or use.
Explorer bar
The left side of the browser where the Search, History, and Favorites lists appear when the user clicks the corresponding buttons on the toolbar. The user can also create a custom Explorer bar, as well as a custom toolbar button to open it.
F
Favorites
Predefined links to Web sites. Favorites are also known as "bookmarks." Favorites in Internet Explorer can be configured to automatically notify the user when content changes.
G
gateway
A connection or interchange point that connects two networks that otherwise would be incompatible.
Group Policy
A collection of settings used to define configurations for groups of users and computers. Group Policy is flexible and includes options for registry-based policy settings, security settings, software installation, scripts (during computer startup and shutdown, and to log on and log off), and folder redirection. Administrators use Group Policy to specify options for managed desktop configurations.
H
hands-free installation
A configuration of Windows Update Setup for Internet Explorer and Internet Tools in which users are not prompted to make decisions but are informed of the installation progress and errors. This option is available only to corporate administrators. See also silent installation.
home page
The first page that users see when they start Internet Explorer. Also, the main page of a Web site, which usually contains a main menu or table of contents with links to other pages within the site.
HTML
See Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).
HTML+TIME
See HTML+Timed Interactive Multimedia Extensions (TIME).
HTML+Timed Interactive Multimedia Extensions (TIME)
An Internet Explorer feature that adds timing, media synchronization, and animation support to Web pages.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
A simple markup language used to create and design Web pages. HTML files are simple ASCII text files with codes embedded (indicated by markup tags) to denote formatting and hypertext links.
I
ICP
See Internet Content Provider (ICP).
IEAK
See Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK).
IIS
See Internet Information Services (IIS).
IMAP
See Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP).
IMAP server
A server that uses IMAP to provide access to multiple server-side folders. See also Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP); POP3 server.
independent software vendor (ISV)
A third-party software developer; an individual or an organization that independently creates computer software.
information (.inf) file
A file that provides Windows Update Setup for Internet Explorer and Internet Tools with the information required to set up a device or program. The file includes a list of valid configurations, the name of driver files associated with the device or program, and so on.
Input Method Editor (IME)
Programs used to enter the thousands of different characters in written Asian languages with a standard 101-key keyboard. An IME consists of both an engine that converts keystrokes into phonetic and ideographic characters and a dictionary of commonly used ideographic words.
Integrated Windows Authentication
A secure authentication method that uses a cryptographic exchange between a client and a server rather than transmitting a user name and a password to determine the client's authentication.
Internet Content Provider (ICP)
An organization that prepares content for posting to the Web.
Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK)
A set of tools that enables corporate administrators, ISPs, and ICPs to create, distribute, and manage customized Internet Explorer packages across an organization. The IEAK contains the Internet Explorer Customization Wizard, the IEAK Profile Manager, and the IEAK Toolkit.
Internet Explorer Customization Wizard
The primary component of the Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK), used to generate a customized version of Internet Explorer for installation in a specific organization.
Internet Information Services (IIS)
Software services that support Web site creation, configuration, and management, along with other Internet functions. Internet Information Services include Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). See also Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP).
Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP)
A popular protocol for receiving e-mail messages. It allows an e-mail client to access and manipulate a remote e-mail file without downloading it to the local computer. It is used mainly by corporate users who want to read their e-mail from a remote location. See also POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3).
Internet Protocol (IP)
A routable protocol in the TCP/IP protocol suite that is responsible for IP addressing, routing, and the fragmentation and reassembly of IP packets. See also Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
Internet Protocol address (IP address)
A 32-bit binary number used to identify a node on an IP internetwork. Each node must be assigned a unique IP address, which is made up of the network ID, plus a unique host ID. This address consists of the decimal values of its 4 bytes, separated with periods (for example, 192.168.7.27).
Internet service provider (ISP)
An organization that maintains a server directly connected to the Internet. Users who are not directly connected to the Internet typically connect through a service provider. To acquire these connections, users call the provider and set up an account.
Internet settings (.ins) file
A file that provides Windows Update Setup for Internet Explorer and Internet Tools with Internet settings that configure the browser and associated components. You can create multiple versions of your browser package by changing the .ins file used by each package. Use the Profile Manager to create, save, and load .ins files.
IP address
See Internet Protocol address (IP address).
ISP
See Internet service provider (ISP).
ISV
See independent software vendor (ISV).
K
Kerberos authentication
A protocol that provides a mechanism for mutual authentication between a client and a server before a network connection is opened between them. The protocol assumes that initial transactions between clients and servers take place on an open network.
kiosk mode
A browser mode in which the browser toolbar and menu bar are not displayed.
L
lab
A collection of non-production machines used to test an Internet Explorer package. The lab is not the same as a pilot group.
LDAP
See Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
An open standard for storing and retrieving people's names, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and other information.
lightweight HTML component
An HTML component in which the lightweight attribute is signified for the PUBLIC:COMPONENT element. Because the .htc files for this component contain no HTML content or contain static HTML content that is ignored, the HTML document is less complex.
M
Media bar
In Internet Explorer, an Explorer bar that provides a simple user interface for locating and playing media within the browser window.
MIME
See Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME).
MSDN
Microsoft Developer Network.
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME)
A standard that extends SMTP to allow the transmission of such data as video, sound, and binary files across the Internet without translating the data into ASCII format. See also SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).
N
namespace
A collection of names that are used to uniquely qualify elements.
Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP)
A member of the TCP/IP suite of protocols used to distribute network news messages to NNTP servers and clients (newsreaders) on the Internet. NNTP is designed so that news articles are stored on a server in a central database, thus enabling a user to select specific items to read. See also Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
NNTP
See Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP).
P
Parental Internet Content Selection (PICS)
Rules that enable Web content providers to use meta tags to voluntarily rate their content according to agreed-upon PICS criteria. A browser can then block user access to Web sites based on the values of the tags.
PICS
See Parental Internet Content Selection (PICS).
platform
A type of client, such as Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 98, Windows 3.x, Macintosh, or UNIX.
policy file
A file that defines system policies and restrictions. See also system policies and restrictions.
POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3)
A popular protocol used for receiving e-mail messages. This protocol is often used by ISPs. POP3 servers allow access to a single Inbox in contrast to IMAP servers, which provide access to multiple server-side folders. See also SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol); Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP).
POP3 server
A server that provides access to a single Inbox. See also IMAP server.
private key
The secret half of a cryptographic key pair that is used with a public key algorithm. Private keys are typically used to decrypt a symmetric session key, digitally sign data, or decrypt data that has been encrypted with the corresponding public key. See also public key.
Profile Manager
A tool in the Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK) used by corporate administrators to create and dynamically manage browser and desktop automatic configuration settings.
proxy
A firewall and content cache server that provides Internet security and improves network performance.
proxy server
A server that works as a barrier between an internal network (intranet) and the Internet. Proxy servers can work with firewalls, which help keep other people on the Internet from gaining access to confidential information on the intranet. A proxy server also allows the caching of Web pages for quicker retrieval.
public key
The nonsecret half of a cryptographic key pair that is used with a public key algorithm. Public keys are typically used when encrypting a session key, verifying a digital signature, or encrypting data that can be decrypted with the corresponding private key. See also private key.
Q
quiet mode
The state in which a command-line application runs with little or no input from the user.
R
registry
A database repository for information about a computer's configuration. The registry contains information that Windows continually references during operation, such as:
| • | Profiles for each user. |
| • | The programs installed on the computer and the types of documents each can create. |
| • | Property settings for folders and program icons. |
| • | What hardware exists on the system. |
| • | Which ports are being used. |
The registry is organized hierarchically as a tree and is made up of keys and their subkeys, hives, and value entries.
registry key
An identifier for a record or group of records in the registry.
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP)
An IEAK snap-in that helps you plan browser policies before you deploy your custom browser packages.
root certificate
A self-signed certification authority certificate. See also certification authority (CA); digital certificate.
RSoP
See Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP).
RunOnce application
An application that is configured to run the next time the computer is restarted. The application does not run after any subsequent reboots of the system.
S
sandbox
In Java, an area in memory outside of which the program cannot make calls.
scratch space
The storage area on the client computer that an applet can safely access without needing full access to the client file system.
Secure Password Authentication (SPA)
A protocol where the server uses an encrypted password to confirm the identity of the user.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
A protocol that supplies secure data communication through data encryption and decryption. This protocol enables communications privacy over networks through a combination of public-key cryptography and bulk data encryption.
security zone
In Internet Explorer, a segment of the Internet or intranet assigned a particular level of security, depending on how much the administrator trusts the content of the Web site. Security zones allow an administrator to restrict user access to certain Web sites.
Seek bar
A control on the Media bar that allows the user to view and change the progress of a media file while it is playing.
Server Gated Cryptography (SGC)
An extension of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) that makes possible the use of 128-bit encryption. See also Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
SGC
See Server Gated Cryptography (SGC).
signature
See digital signature.
silent installation
A configuration of Windows Update Setup for Internet Explorer and Internet Tools in which users are not prompted to make decisions about installation options and are not informed of the installation progress or errors. This option is available only to corporate administrators. See also hands-free installation.
single-disk branding
Customizing an existing installation of Internet Explorer, including Internet sign-up for ISPs, without reinstalling Internet Explorer. This option does not enable you to package and install custom components.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
A protocol used for transferring or sending e-mail messages between servers. Another protocol (such as POP3) is used to retrieve the messages.
SSL
See Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
subkey
An element of the registry that contains entries or other subkeys. A tier of the registry that is immediately below a key or a subtree (if the subtree has no keys).
System Management Server (SMS)
Systems management software that can help you automate a large-scale deployment by automatically distributing and installing your custom browser packages on users' computers.
system policies and restrictions
Settings, defined in a policy file, that control user and computer access privileges by overriding default registry values when the user logs on.
System Policy
A Windows NT 4.0-style policy based on registry settings made using Poledit.exe, the System Policy Editor. See also registry.
System Policy Editor
The utility Poledit.exe, used by administrators to set system policy on Windows NT 4.0-based and Windows 95-based computers.
T
TCP/IP
See Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
A set of networking protocols widely used on the Internet that provides communications across interconnected networks of computers with diverse hardware architectures and various operating systems. TCP/IP includes standards for how computers communicate and conventions for connecting networks and routing traffic. See also Internet Protocol (IP).
U
unattended Setup
An automated, hands-free method of installing Windows. During installation, unattended Setup uses an answer file to supply data to Setup instead of requiring that an administrator interactively provide the answers.
user-agent string
Text that identifies the specific version and origin of the browser.
V
Viewlink
A feature of the DHTML behavior component model that enables you to write fully encapsulated element behaviors and then import them as custom elements in Web pages.
virtual machine (VM)
A program that provides an independent operating system environment within another operating system. A virtual machine permits the user to run programs that are native to a different operating system.
VM
See virtual machine (VM).
W
watermark
A bitmap that is displayed behind the Internet Explorer toolbar. Color the watermark so that it does not obscure the text or graphics of toolbar buttons.
Web Proxy AutoDiscovery (WPAD)
A standard networking protocol used to help Internet client software automatically locate and interface with cache services within a network.
Welcome page
The page displayed the first time the user runs Internet Explorer. Subsequently, Internet Explorer displays the user's home page each time the user starts the browser.
Windows Desktop Update
A feature included in Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 2000, and Windows XP that can be used to make users' desktop and folders look and work more like the Web.
Windows Update Setup for Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Tools
The setup program that installs Internet Explorer and other Internet components. The IEAK allows you to customize Windows Update Setup for Internet Explorer and Internet Tools to provide a better experience for your users.