What is the Internet?
History
The Internet was first established in 1969 by the Advanced
Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET). This was spearheaded by the US
Department of Defense. Beginning in the 1970s, e-mail and other messaging
systems were created and distributed among large companies as well as
government organizations. These systems allowed individuals in each
organization to send messages to each other. However, problems arose with general
refusal to allow interconnection of computers between organizations. Over time,
issues like these made it necessary to establish rules that would enable
various users to communicate (whether in organizations or not) on the Internet
and send messages. By 1987, ARPANET was heavily congested on its telephone lines;
thus, a network run by the National Science Foundation (NSFNet) merged with two
other networks (CSNet and BITNET) to form a major network that can handle the increasing
online traffic. The result was a contract with corporations such as IBM and
Sprint to operate the network’s main backbone (connections and technology that
support large amounts of data). IBM and Sprint were also among the first
companies to help provide commercial Internet access.
The Internet or World Wide Web (WWW) possesses global broadcasting
capability that serves as a medium for information dissemination,
collaboration, and interaction among individuals and their computers regardless
of geographic location. Simply called the Web, this innovative channel of
communication, utilizes technology as a way to access, send and share
information. It is a vast network of interconnected computers and networks that
link millions of businesses, agencies, institutions, and individuals. Structurally,
the Internet consists mainly of web pages which are really documents, images
and audio files containing immense amounts of information. Web pages are
connected to one another via connections called hyperlinks. Viewing and
interacting with web pages are possible because of the technical capabilities
of web browsers. These technological programs allow users to view text, images,
videos, and other multimedia. Normally, a website contains one or more web
pages that are grouped together under a common theme, for personal, commercial
or social purposes. When a computer connects to the Internet, it becomes a web
client.
Major Elements of the Internet
Listed below are
brief descriptions of some of the network systems, services, programs and
devices that support and impact operation of a website on the Internet.
Intranets/Extranets
An intranet is an information portal designed for
the internal communications of various businesses. They include
enterprises, governments, industries and financial institutions. Compared to
the Internet, intranets can be tailored specifically to meet the exact needs of
businesses and organizations. Users of intranets consist mainly of managers and
directors, support staff, customer service, and other stakeholders. Extranets
are portals designed for businesses to provide external users such as important
clients, industry partners, and suppliers with limited access to certain files
on computer systems.
Ethernet
Ethernet is the physical connection method of cabling
networking technologies for local area (LAN) and larger
networks to a computer. Simply put it is the cable that connects a computer or
other device to a router or network. Ethernet
is known as arguably the most popular and most effective network technology in
the world. Furthermore, it is the most widely-installed local area network
(LAN) technology. There are industry standards that govern Ethernet communication
to technology devices. These standards include how communication is provided for
connected devices as well how they are attached to a common medium such as a
router that provides a path where electronic signals travel. An Ethernet LAN
typically uses coaxial cable or special grades of twisted
pair wires. In recent times, it is more commonly a twisted pair or fiber
optic cabling. Most home computers are connected to the Internet using either
coaxial cable or wireless adapters.
Routers
Routers are electronic devices that provide the mechanism
for computers to communicate with other computers in a network, or to connect
to an intranet or the Internet. The primary function of a router is to access
the best path to receive data from one device and to transmit it to another.
The internet service provider (ISP) assigns an Internet Protocol (IP) address
(example of an IP address: 175 . 16 . 235 . 2) for each of the devices that are
connected to the router.
Servers
Basically, servers are computers which serve information to
other computers and receive from them also. On the Internet, web servers are
structured in networks that contain software and files that are capable of
connecting with other computers online. The software continuously runs on a
computer and allows other computers to upload and download documents. Each
file is private; only the users of that network can access those files. There
are many online companies such as Dot5Hosting, Hostmonster, iPage, Web.com,
HostGator, and GoDaddy.com to host websites. These companies usually charge
monthly fees for their hosting services.
Browsers
A Web browser is a computer program used for accessing sites
or information on a network (as the World Wide Web) and view web pages on the
Internet. Web browsers are created by software run on the computer to connect
to various operating system software programs across the Internet. The most
commonly used web browsers include America Online, Internet Explorer, Google
Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and YouTube Browser. Users can navigate between
each page through hyperlinks (detailed in Navigation section).
Short for electronic mail, e-mails are
electronic messages containing files, images, and/or other
attachments sent through a network (online) to a specific individual or
group. Most Internet providers allow users to send and receive e-mail messages.
There are e-mail programs such
as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird. The most common way that users send and
receive e-mail is through free online e-mail services or web mail such as AOL
mail, Hotmail, Google Mail (Gmail), and Yahoo Mail.
Navigation
Web navigation refers to the process of going
through (or navigating) on a webpage, or on a network of multiple
information resources online. The primary user interface used
for navigation is the web browser. The constant goal is to have a web
navigation interface that helps to maximize usability. Most web browsers
have a navigation toolbar with buttons of frequently used web commands such as
“back”, “reload”, “stop”, “print”, “Home”, etc. In the middle of the toolbar is
the location (also called address or URL) bar, which describes the text box for
entering a web address in the browser. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a
uniquely formatted text that web browsers and other software uses to help
identify network resources (web pages, documents, graphics, etc.) on the
Internet. There are four parts for the addressing scheme in a URL:
·
Transfer protocol (http://) - set of rules necessary
for transporting the files, the most common type of Internet protocol is HTTP.
·
Domain name – unique name for the address on the host computer.
·
Pathname - Directory or folder where file is stored.
·
Name of the file.
Internet Security
Internet security helps to establish rules and measures
against attacks over the Internet. It involves not only browser security, but
also network security in general as it relates to other applications and
operating systems. Internet security programs monitor the exchange of
information, and prevent intrusion or fraud. Different methods have been used
to protect the transfer of data, including encryption, which refers to
scrambling and encoding data transmission online, and preventing intruders from
decoding and reading the page’s content.
The page is encrypted when there is a padlock icon at the bottom of the
browser window. Web page security elements can be checked on the Internet
Explorer.
Computer Security
Computer security is comprised of programs that are
designed specifically for computing devices such
as computers and smartphones used in both private and public settings
such as the Internet. Functions of security applications involve protecting all
the processes and mechanisms for digital equipment, information and services
from viruses, malware and hacking. Computer security software detects and
prevents unauthorized access or changes or destruction of information. It is
becoming increasingly important to purchase this type of software to protect
personal information and documents on PCs, smart phones, tablets and social
media.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is the overall process of utilizing
security measures for data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Cybersecurity
protects assets such as the vast amounts of data on computers, servers, and cloud
technology from hackers and unauthorized access. The goal of cybersecurity is
to protect and ensure security of data. Some of the measures include access
control, awareness training, risk assessment, security assessment,
vulnerability management, etc. Cybersecurity functions are critical because web servers open windows between individual
networks and the entire world virtually. Server maintenance, web application
updates and website coding help to determine the degree of web security.
Websites are prone to security risks, in addition to networks where web servers
are connected. Furthermore, all programs either have bugs or weaknesses
to varying degrees, since they are inherently complex . However, poorly written
software exacerbates security issues, and the bugs will create web security
issues that directly affect web applications and the server. In recent times,
there have been cyber attacks against major corporations such as Target, Home
Depot, Neiman Marcus and Sony. The
combination of technical factors, increased human activity, and notable events
have provided a critical moment in efforts for cybersecurity.
Examples of Security Programs
There are some effective and inexpensive Internet software
programs (many with free trials) that can increase cybersecurity for websites
and computers in general. Here is a list of some of the programs:
·
AVG Secure Search
·
AVG Internet Security
·
Avast Free Antivirus 2015
·
Norton Internet Security
·
Comodo Antivirus 7
·
Bitdefender Total Security 2015
·
360 Internet Security
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