vector graphics - way of representing pictures by designating coordinates and drawing lines or geometric shapes in relation to them. In vector graphics, the image is saved as a file containing instructions for drawing it. One advantage of vector graphics over raster graphics is that a picture can be enlarged or reduced without losing quality.

VGA {vee-gee-ay} [video graphics array] - A display standard for IBM PCs, with 640 x 480 pixels in 16 colors.

video - The picture portion of the show.

video display adapter - Expansion card that allows your software and your computer's monitor to display pretty pictures.

video memory - The memory in a computer's video display adapter, used to store the image displayed on a bitmap display.

virus - (By analogy with biological viruses) A program that searches out other programs and "infects" them by embedding a copy of itself in them. When these programs are executed, the embedded virus is executed, thus propagating the "infection."

virus definitions - files containing specific signature information that allows an antivirus program to detect and protect you against virus and malicious code threats.

virtual memory - A way of using disk storage space to make the computer work as if it had more memory. When a file or program is too big for the computer to work with in its memory, part of the data is stored on disk. This virtual storage is divided into segments called pages; each page is correlated with a location in physical memory, or RAM. When an address is referenced, the page is swapped into memory; it is sent back to disk when other pages must be called. The program runs as if all the data is in memory.

Vista - (see Windows Vista)

VRAM {vee-ram} [video random access memory] - Fast memory designed for storing the image to be displayed on a monitor.

vulnerability – an application that employs the use of system and/or security vulnerabilities to install on a system and to operate.