uBlock Origin:

The uBlock Origin is a Viasat Browser free extension (appearing as the red shield in the right hand corner of the browser). This is used by the Viasat Browser to keep annoying ads and pop-ups from cluttering web pages and ruining your internet browsing experience. uBlock also protects you from potential Malware hidden in malicious ads and helps secure your privacy by blocking Internet trackers. In addition, this helps reduce your data consumption by not loading unnecessary and unwanted content. uBlock Origin is only available on desktop Viasat Browser, but mobile versions come with their own built-in ad-blocker.

UDP:

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is part of the TCP/IP suite of protocols used for data transferring. UDP is a known as a “stateless” protocol, meaning it does not acknowledge that the packets being sent have been received. For this reason, the UDP protocol is typically used for streaming media. While you might see skips in video or hear some fuzz in audio clips, UDP transmission prevents the playback from stopping completely.

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP):

Plug and Play describes devices that work with a computer system as soon as they are connected.Universal Plug and Play is an extension of this idea that expands the range of Plug and Play devices to networking equipment. UPnP uses network protocols to allow a wide range of devices to be interconnected and work seamlessly with each other. UPnP devices can be connected via wired, such as an Ethernet and Firewire, or wireless, such as WiFi and Bluetooth, connections. As long as a product supports UPnP, it can communicate with other UPnP devices within a network. The connections are typically created using the DHCP networking protocol, which assigns each connected device a unique IP address.

While UPnP is helpful for setting up networks, it also can be used to set up compatible audio and video (AV) devices. UPnP AV is a group of standards based on UPnP that allows audio and video components to be connected via network connections. This enables media files and streaming data to be sent between devices. For example, a movie stored on a hard drive in a bedroom could be played back on the TV screen in the living room. The central controller of a UPnP AV network is called a MediaServer and can be run from a Macintosh, Windows or Linux computer or from a hardware device specifically designed to manage the network. Since most UPnP devices support zero-configuration setup, it is simple to add devices to a network and use them immediately.

Unlimited Data Plans

Viasat now offers unlimited data plan. Previous plans used to throttle speed using the older Viasat-1 satellite, but the new Viasat-2 is based on internet traffic congestion, so it no longer throttles at a preset data limit. However, depending on the specific unlimited data service plan available at your location, after you use the following amount of data, you data may be prioritized behind other customers during network congestion, which may result in slower speeds: Bronze 12 (35 GB or 40 GB, depending on your specific plan); Silver 12 (45 GB), Gold 12 (65 GB), Silver 25 (60 GB), Gold 50 (100 GB) and Platinum 100 (150 GB).

NOTE: Streaming video quality is “up to,” will vary and is not guaranteed.

Upload:

The term used to describe sending documents or programs from your computer or other connected device through the internet. While downloading is receiving a file from another computer, uploading is sending a file from your computer to another system. This can be as simple as uploading a single photo to Facebook, or it can be a continuous upload, such as video chatting.

While downloading is receiving a file from another computer, uploading is the exact opposite. It is sending a file from your computer to another system. It is possible to upload and download at the same time, but it may cause slower transfer speeds, especially if you have a low bandwidth connection. Because most files are located on internet servers, people generally do a lot more downloading than uploading.

Usage:

Typically refers to the amount of data you use.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP):

Part of the TCP/IP suite of protocols used for data transferring. UDP is a known as a “stateless” protocol, meaning it does not acknowledge that the packets being sent have been received. For this reason, the UDP protocol is typically used for streaming media. While you might see skips in video or hear some fuzz in audio clips, UDP transmission prevents the playback from stopping completely.

USB:

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the most common type of computer port used in today’s computers. It can be used to connect a keyboard, mouse, video game controllers, printers, scanners, digital cameras and removable media drives. With the help of a few USB hubs, you can connect up to 127 peripherals to a single USB port and use them all at once. USB is also faster than older ports, such as serial and parallel ports. The USB 1.1 specification supports data transfer rates of up to 12Mbps and USB 2.0 has a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbps. Over the past few years, USB has become a widely-used cross-platform interface for both Macs and PCs.

User Interface:

A user interface is the means in which a user controls a software program or hardware device. For example, a software interface may include windows, icons, menus and buttons that allow the user to interact with the program. This is also known as a graphical user interface (GUI). A hardware interface can be a remote control or a video game controller. It may also refer to the controls on a camcorder, digital camera or iPhone. Most modern user interfaces today are designed using a combination of hardware and software.

Username:

A username is a name that uniquely identifies someone on a computer system or shared network. For example, a computer may be setup with multiple accounts, with different usernames for each account. Many websites allow users to choose a username so that they can customize their settings or set up an online account or email services. For example, your bank may allow you to choose a username for accessing your banking information. You may need to choose a username in order to post messages to a certain message board on the internet.

A username is almost always paired with a password. This username/password combination is referred to as a login and is often required for users to log in to websites. For example, to access your email online, you are required to enter both your username and password. Once you have logged in, your username may appear on the screen, but your password is kept hidden. By keeping their password private, people can create secure accounts for various websites. Most usernames can contain letters and numbers, but no spaces and may be case sensitive. When you choose a username for an email account, the part before the “@” is your username.

Utility:

Commonly referred to as “utilities,” these are software programs that add functionality to your computer or help your computer perform better. These include antivirus, backup, disk repair, file management, security and networking programs. Utilities can also be applications such as screensavers, font and icon tools or desktop enhancements. Some utility programs help keep your computer free from unwanted software such as viruses or spyware, while others add functionality that allow you to customize your desktop and user interface. In general, programs that improve computer or help it run better are considered utilities.