F

FAQ

A list of frequently asked questions (with answers) pertaining to a mailing list, Usenet newsgroup, product, or activity.

FDDI

Fiber Distributed Data Interface; a network standard for fiber-optic media.

file server

A computer connected to a network and capable of offering other users on that network access to its file system.

finger

A TCP/IP application used for retrieving a list of currently logged-in users on a specific system or for getting information about some specific user of that system.

firewall gateway

A special construct for the prevention of attacks on an organizational internetwork originating from the global Internet. The firewall may include one or more gateways or routers and may comprise separate network segments, as well as software filtering and other mechanisms for protecting corporate network resources.

flame

An extensive admonishment of Internet wrongdoing sent by other Internet users.

floor limit

A preset limit established by an issuer that allowed merchants to accept credit card sales without authorization, provided the merchant checks to see that the card number was not listed on a warning bulletin for lost or stolen cards. Floor limits are now rarely used.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol; the set of specifications, or the program itself, for transferring files between two computers on the Internet.