What Is the Internet?
Internet is a global network of computer networks, including government, academic, business, and private networks. It provides users with access to information, data, and applications that enable communication, collaboration, and entertainment. Using the Internet, people can find and share news, scholarly data, and personal information. Through the Internet, individuals can interact with other people, share photographs, and build communities.
The Internet is a public facility that allows millions of users to communicate and collaborate with each other. This is achieved through the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocols that translate alphabetic text into electronic signals. These packets are sent to servers for storage and retrieval. In return, the server sends the data back to the users’ computer. Users can communicate with any other device connected to the Internet, and sometimes can also talk to other users.
The Internet was initially developed by a group of researchers. In the early days, computers were limited to ASCII characters. They were mainly used by large industries. Over time, however, more and more consumers began using their devices. Many people used the Internet to download music, movies, and other works.
By the mid-1990s, thousands of Internet Service Providers began taking up market space. Most of these companies were located in the U.S. However, foreign providers began to emerge. As a result of the growing popularity of the Internet, the Internet’s commercial use restrictions were lifted in May 1995. This allowed the Internet to continue its rapid growth.
Today, there are hundreds of millions of users worldwide. People can browse the Internet to learn about products and services, do research, and read and view newspapers, magazines, and other materials. Additionally, many people utilize the Internet to download music and videos, play multiplayer games, and watch movies online.
In addition to providing a wide range of benefits, the Internet has enabled a new way of doing business. Online shopping has become increasingly common for both large and small businesses. Companies can also post open positions and hire applicants through social networking sites.
During the 1990s, the Internet’s commercialization led to the development of many new networking technologies. Private funding helped these developments take place. Among these are wireless networking technologies, optical networking technologies, and a series of universal protocols that establish rules for computers.
The Internet’s infrastructure is composed of various networks, hardware, and software. Hardware refers to the equipment that enables the connection of devices to the Internet. The hardware includes computers, routers, cell phone towers, radios, and satellites. Some of these hardware is not included in the Internet. For example, TV cables and fiber optic cables can be used to connect to the Internet.
Although the Internet’s origins date back to the late 1960s, the modern incarnation of the internet began in the mid-1990s. Initially, the Internet was known as ARPANET, a computer network developed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. Originally intended to allow users to communicate with other universities, the Internet eventually became a global communications network.
