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INTERNET

Introduction:
Internet is a global communication system that links together
thousands of individual networks. It allows exchange of
information between two or more computers on a network. Thus
internet helps in transfer of messages through mail, chat, video &
audio conference, etc. It has become mandatory for day-to-day
activities: bills payment, online shopping and surfing, tutoring,
working, communicating with peers, etc. Internet was evolved in
1969, under the project called ARPANET (Advanced Research
Projects Agency Network) to connect computers at different
universities and U.S. defence. Soon after the people from
different backgrounds such as engineers, scientists, students and
researchers started using the network for exchanging information
and messages.

In 1990s the internet working of ARPANET, NSFnet and other

private networks resulted into Internet. Therefore, Internet is a
global network of computer networks’ . It comprises of millions of
computing devices that carry and transfer volumes of information
from one device to the other. Desktop computers, mainframes,
GPS units, cell phones, car alarms, video game consoles, are
connected to the Net.
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INFRASTRUCTURE OF INTERNET
The Infrastructure of the internet refers to the physical
hardware, transmission media and software systems that
collectively enable communication and connectivity on the internet
including data centres, servers, networking cables, cellular towers,
and internet exchange points, which is essentially form the
backbone that allows users to access information and perform
online activities like emailing, and streaming video.

●​ Key components of internet:

1.​ Data centers:

Facilities housing servers and storage systems that process

and store vast amounts of data.

2.​Internet Exchange Points (IXPs):

Physical locations where internet service providers (ISPs)

connect and exchange internet traffic.

3.​Networking cables:

Fiber optic cables and other transmission media that carry

data across long distances.

4.​Routers:

Devices that direct internet traffic to its intended

destination.
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5.​Servers:

Computers that host websites and applications, providing

access to information.

6.​Domain Name System (DNS):

A system that translates human-readable domain names (like

"google.com") into machine-readable IP addresses.

●​ HOW THE INTERNET WORKS:

●​ The internet works as a global network of interconnected
computers and devices that communicate with each other
using standardized protocols, allowing users to access
information and services from anywhere in the world by
sending data packets through routers which navigate the
network based on IP addresses, essentially acting as a
"digital highway" for information exchange; in simpler terms,
it's a vast system of connected networks that lets computers
"talk" to each other through a set of rules.
●​ Key points about how the internet works:
1.​ Network of networks:

The internet isn't a single network, but rather a collection of

smaller networks that connect together.

2.​IP addresses:

Each device on the internet has a unique IP address

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which acts like a mailing address, allowing data to be sent to

the correct destination.

3.​Packets:

Data is broken down into small packets which are sent

individually through the network and reassembled at the
receiving end.

4.​Routers:

Devices called routers act as traffic controllers, directing

packets to the appropriate network based on their IP
address.

5.​Protocols:

The internet relies on standardized protocols like TCP

(Transmission Control Protocol) to ensure reliable data
transmission.

●​ Internet Services and applications :

●​ An "internet service" refers to a function or capability
accessible through the internet, like sending emails, browsing
websites, or streaming videos.while an "internet application"
is a specific software program that allows users to perform
these functions on the internet, such as a web browser,
social media platform, or online shopping site.
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●​ These are essentially, services are what you can do online,

and applications are the tools that enable you to do them.

●​ KEY POINTS OF SERVICES AND APPLICATION OF

INTERNET :
1.​ Internet service:

A broad term encompassing various activities like accessing

information, communicating with others, and utilizing online
tools.

2.​Internet application:

A specific software program that runs on the internet,

allowing users to perform a particular task like checking
email, watching videos, or shopping online.

●​ EXAMPLES:

1.​ Internet services:

Emailing, web browsing, online banking, video conferencing,

file sharing.

2.​Internet applications:

Gmail (email service), Google Chrome (web browser),

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Facebook (social media platform), Zoom (video conferencing

app), Dropbox (file sharing app).

●​ Advantages of internet:
1.​ Education: The internet provides access to a wide range of
information and learning opportunities. It also allows
students to connect with mentors and peers around the
world.
2.​Communication: The internet allows people to communicate
with each other through email, instant messaging, video calls,
and social media.
3.​Entertainment: The internet offers a wide range of
entertainment options, including streaming movies and TV
shows, gaming, and social media.
4.​Access to services: The internet provides access to basic
services like education, healthcare, public safety, and
government services.
5.​Research: The internet provides easy access to a large
amount of information for research.
6.​Online shopping: The internet allows people to shop online.
7.​Online banking: The internet allows people to bank online.
8.​Cloud storage: The internet allows people to store and back
up their data in the cloud.
9.​Creative platforms: The internet provides creative platforms
for people to share their work and ideas.
10.​ Cultural sharing: The internet allows people to share their
culture and learn about other cultures.
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●​ Disvantages of internet:
1.​ Health issues: Spending too much time on the internet can
lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which can cause weight gain,
poor eyesight, and back and neck pain.
2.​Cybercrime: Cybercriminals can steal personal information,
hack accounts, and commit fraud.
3.​Identity theft: Cybercriminals can steal personal information
and credentials to commit fraud.
4.​Internet addiction: People can become addicted to using the
internet, especially teenagers who spend a lot of time playing
games or using social media.
5.​Bullying and harassment: Anonymous accounts can make it
easy to bully, harass, or humiliate people.
6.​Privacy exposure: Hackers and blackmailers can extort
people by stealing their sensitive information.
7.​Time waste: The internet has a lot of information that can be
time-consuming to explore.
8.​Wrong information: The internet can spread false
information.
9.​Isolation and loneliness: The internet can limit real-life
socialization, making it harder to form human bonds.
10.​ Over-reliance on the internet: People can become too
dependent on the internet.