File Sharing Glossary
Plain definitions of the words that come up when you share files online, covering the formats, the security, and the plumbing that makes a link work. Each entry stays short and ties back to something practical, like why a page you host as an HTML file loads fast, or why every link is secure by default. If you would rather just get going, you can drop a file and get a link, and the paid plans add custom domains and larger files when you need them.
Static site
A static site is a bundle of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files served exactly as they are, with no server building each page on request.
CDN
A CDN, or content delivery network, is a set of servers around the world that each keep a cached copy of your files.
404 error
A 404 error is the browser saying the page at this address does not exist.
HTTPS
HTTPS is the encrypted version of the connection between a browser and a website.
CORS
CORS, or cross-origin resource sharing, is the browser rule that decides when code on one domain may fetch data from another.
DNS
DNS, the domain name system, is the address book of the internet, translating a domain name into the server address behind it.
FTP
FTP, the file transfer protocol, is an old way of copying files onto a web server.
Cache
A cache is a saved copy of a file kept somewhere fast, so the next request can be answered without fetching it again.
SEO
SEO, search engine optimization, is the work of making a page easy for search engines to find, understand, and rank.
og:image
An og:image is the preview picture a chat app or social platform shows when your link is pasted in.
QR code
A QR code is a square barcode that holds a URL, so pointing a phone camera at it opens the link.
File compression
File compression shrinks a file by encoding it more efficiently, so it transfers faster and uses less storage.
MIME type
A MIME type is a short label, like application/pdf or image/png, that tells the browser what kind of file it is getting.
SSL certificate
An SSL certificate is a small credential that proves a site controls its domain and enables HTTPS encryption.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the total data transferred as people download or view your hosted files.
Drag and drop
Drag and drop is the pattern where you upload a file by dragging it from your desktop onto a web page.
Presigned URL
A presigned URL is a temporary link, cryptographically signed, that grants access to a specific file in cloud storage for a limited time.
Link expiry
Link expiry sets a share link to stop working after a date or time you choose.
Password protection
Password protection puts a password in front of a shared link, so only people who know it can open the file.
Custom domain
A custom domain means your share links use your own address, like files.yoursite.com, instead of the default nudgehost.com.
About this glossary
What is this glossary for?
It explains the technical terms behind file sharing and hosting in plain language, and ties each one to how NudgeHost handles it in practice.
Do I need to understand any of this to share a file?
No. You can drop a file and get a link without reading a word here. The glossary is for when you want to know what is happening underneath.
How are the terms connected?
Every entry links to a few related terms and to the tools they relate to, so you can follow a thread from a definition straight to something you can use.