cyberspace

The digital world constructed by computer networks, and in particular, the Internet. Whenever you hear the term "cyberspace," it generally refers to the online world, which is a place that actually exists, albeit as a communications medium rather than another galaxy.

Perceived as an immaterial realm of data or some kind of virtual world, it is actually a physical infrastructure made up of the wires above our head, the cable beneath our feet, and the satellite dishes in the sky. Some people don't like this term because it's become commercialized, but at the same time, it represents the attitude of people who consider themselves wired or connected. It's also known as just "cyber."

Historical perspective: This term was coined by William Gibson in his novel Neuromancer in 1984.