What is the Internet?
The Internet is a network of millions of computers around the world digitally connected to each other by wires (copper telephone lines, TV cables and fiber optic wires) or wireless links. It is used for a wide range of things including browsing websites, communicating with people, downloading pictures and videos and listening to music. It is a truly remarkable technology that is constantly improving and evolving.
The internet is made up of a collection of networks that are connected using standardized communication techniques known as protocols. These allow different devices from all over the world to connect and interact in a seamless way, no matter what kind of hardware or software they use. In order to be able to send and receive data over the internet, both devices must speak the same language. This is why all internet-connected machines use the same set of standardized protocols: a protocol for sending packets from one computer to another over an Ethernet connection (TCP), a protocol for ensuring that these packets arrive in order (IP) and a protocol for formatting data for web browsers and applications (HTTP).
Today the Internet makes it easy to access services such as online banking, shopping, video conferencing and remote working. It also allows us to communicate with people from anywhere in the world through email, instant messaging and telephony apps. It is also a useful tool for studying and self-improvement, with many online schools, courses and workshops available. The Internet is also an invaluable resource for researching products and services before buying them, as well as a great way to get the latest information on health and wellbeing.
However, it is important to remember that the Internet can also be a source of unwelcome and inappropriate material. For example, some users may spend a lot of time on the internet without realizing that it is making them socially alienated and decreasing their face-to-face interaction with other people. It is also possible that someone might be using the internet to commit crimes such as fraud or cyberbullying.
Despite these concerns, the Internet remains a fantastic resource for us all and it is vital that we understand how it works and how to use it safely. It’s up to each of us to choose how we use it, and we should always be aware of our surroundings while online.
