Internet and WWW

6.1 Internet

The Internet is a worldwide system of interconnected computer networks that use standard communication protocols (like TCP/IP) to exchange information. It connects millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, allowing people to share data, communicate, and access services instantly. The Internet makes it possible to browse the web, send emails, watch videos, shop online, and much more.

6.2 Services of Internet

a) WWW (World Wide Web)

The World Wide Web is a service that provides access to information through websites and webpages. It uses hypertext links and is accessed via web browsers. The WWW works on the HTTP/HTTPS protocols and contains text, images, audio, video, and interactive content. Example: browsing news articles, watching YouTube, or reading Wikipedia.

b) Email (Electronic Mail)

Email is one of the oldest and most widely used Internet services. It allows users to send and receive text messages, files, images, and documents quickly across the world. Every email account has a unique address (example: user@gmail.com). Email services are fast, inexpensive, and support attachments. Examples: Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail.

c) Telnet

Telnet is a service and protocol that allows a user to connect to another computer remotely over the Internet. Once connected, the user can use the remote machine as if they were sitting in front of it. It is mainly used by network administrators to manage servers and routers. However, today it is largely replaced by more secure protocols like SSH (Secure Shell).

6.3 Common Internet Terms

a) Webpage

A webpage is a single document on the World Wide Web that may contain text, graphics, audio, video, and hyperlinks. It is written in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and displayed by a web browser. Example: The homepage of Google.

b) Website

A website is a collection of related webpages under one domain name, stored on a web server, and accessible via the Internet. A website may include a homepage, contact page, service pages, and more. Example: www.facebook.com.

c) Upload

Uploading means transferring data or files from a local computer to a remote computer, server, or the Internet. Example: uploading assignments to Google Classroom or uploading photos to Instagram.

d) Download

Downloading means receiving or copying data/files from a remote server or the Internet to your local computer. Example: downloading a song, a PDF book, or a software program.

e) Web Browser

A web browser is an application software used to access and display webpages. It interprets HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and shows multimedia content. Popular browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.

f) URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

A URL is the unique address used to access a webpage or resource on the Internet. It includes the protocol (http/https), domain name, and sometimes a path. Example: https://www.youtube.com.

g) Search Engine

A search engine is a software system that searches the Internet for information based on keywords and displays relevant results. It uses indexing and ranking algorithms. Examples: Google, Bing, Yahoo.

h) Domain Name

A domain name is the human-readable name of a website, which is easier to remember than an IP address. For example, the domain name “www.amazon.com” corresponds to a numerical IP address.

i) IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)

An IP address is a unique number assigned to every device connected to the Internet. It helps identify and locate devices in the network. There are two types and they are IPv4 (e.g., 192.168.1.1) and IPv6 (e.g., 2001:db8::1)

6.4 Intranet

An Intranet is a private and secure network used within an organization to support internal communication and collaboration among employees. It uses Internet-based technologies such as web browsers, servers, and networking protocols, but access is restricted only to authorized staff. Intranets provide a centralized platform where employees can access company announcements, HR policies, project details, schedules, forms, and shared documents. They improve efficiency, reduce paperwork, and enhance teamwork within the organization. Since it is not open to the public, an intranet offers a higher level of security and control compared to the Internet.

Advantages of Intranet

• Improves internal communication among employees.
• Provides easy sharing of documents, files, and resources.
• Increases productivity and collaboration within teams.
• Reduces costs by minimizing paperwork and physical meetings.
• Offers higher security compared to the Internet (restricted access).
• Serves as a central source of information and updates.
• Supports training and knowledge management within the organization.

Disadvantages of Intranet

• High cost of setup, implementation, and maintenance.
• Requires skilled IT staff for management and troubleshooting.
• May face technical issues such as slow performance or downtime.
• Needs regular updates to keep information accurate and useful.
• Employees may not use it effectively without proper training.
• Risk of internal security breaches if access is not well controlled.
• Limited only to the organization.

 6.5 Extranet

An Extranet is an extended part of an intranet that gives controlled access to external parties such as suppliers, clients, vendors, or business partners. It is designed to allow organizations to collaborate and share specific information securely with outsiders without exposing the entire internal network. For example, a supplier may use a company’s extranet to check stock levels, or a client may use it to track the progress of a project. An extranet increases business efficiency, strengthens relationships with external partners, and supports supply chain management. It is more secure than the public Internet but less restricted than an intranet, since it allows limited outsiders to access company data.