Categorize Your Content
Web content is data that is available for viewing on the internet. Content may consist of text, images, audio and video or a combination of all of these in the form of an application. In order to view this content your computer must transfer data packets from another computer through a network of routers. So would opening a web page be considered downloading or streaming?
Why Does It Matter?
Keeping track of your system’s activities is crucial to ensuring overall health. Being able to recognize the signs of an unauthorized download and distinguish it from an unwanted stream allows you to be in control of your browsing experience. Stopping unwanted processes can prevent the spread of contamination and speed system performance.
The key distinction that separates different types of transfers is the direction of packet traffic and the amount of time the information is stored on your system.
Downloading
When a file is transferred from a remote computer to your local system and saved to play on something like your vlc media player, you are downloading. Downloaded files are stored in the “Downloads” folder on the C:/ drive unless the user expressly directs them to another location. Past, current and pending downloads are visible in the downloads queue of your web browser.
Uploading
Uploading is the process by which a file is moved to a remote computer. While this may mean files are moved from your local computer to a remote location, initiating a transfer from one remote server to another is also considered uploading. No browser provides upload history. To view a record of the files you have uploaded consult the website or computer you were sending files to. For example, photographs uploaded to facebook’s server will be stored in your profile.
Sideloading
Transfers from one computer to another within a local network are called sideloads. This is because the process involves horizontal communication with little to no movement up the network hierarchy.
Streaming
Streaming content is the same as downloading, except that files are only temporarily saved on your computer. Streams are also unique in that they may be viewed before the entire file has arrived. (i.e., Data packets are viewed in segments, not as a whole.)