The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link several billion devices worldwide.
It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies.
The Internet carries an extensive range of information resources and services, such as the inter-linked hypertext documents and applications of the World Wide Web (WWW), electronic mail, telephony, and peer-to-peer networks for file sharing.
It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies.
The Internet carries an extensive range of information resources and services, such as the inter-linked hypertext documents and applications of the World Wide Web (WWW), electronic mail, telephony, and peer-to-peer networks for file sharing.
HISTORY
The origins of the Internet date back to research commissioned by the United States government in the 1960s to build robust, fault-tolerant communication via computer networks.The primary precursor network, the ARPANET, initially served as a backbone for interconnection of regional academic and military networks in the 1980s. The funding of a new U.S. backbone by the National Science Foundation in the 1980s, as well as private funding for other commercial backbones, led to worldwide participation in the development of new networking technologies, and the merger of many networks. The linking of commercial enterprises by the early 1990s marks the beginning of the transition to the modern Internet, and generated a sustained exponential growth as generations of institutional, personal, and mobile computers were connected to the network.
REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNET CONNECTION :
1. MODEM
- A modem (modulator-demodulator) is a device that modulates signals to encode digital information and demodulates signals to decode the transmitted information.
- The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data. Modems can be used with any means of transmitting analog signals, from light emitting diodes to radio.
- The type of Internet access you choose will determine the type of modem needed.
- Dial-up access uses a telephone modem, DSL service uses a DSL modem, cableaccess uses a cable modem, and satellite service uses a satellite adapter.
- ISP may give a modem—often for a fee—when you sign a contract, which helps ensure that the right kind of modem is installed.
2. NETWORK CARD
- A network card is a piece of hardware that allows computers to communicate over a computer network.
- Most newer computers have a network card built into the motherboard, so then it need not to be purchased.
- The network card will have an Ethernet port, a wireless connection, or both.
- On a laptop with a wireless connection, access the Internet at any place that offers a Wi-Fi connection.
- Many restaurants, coffee shops,bookstores, hotels, and other businesses offer free Wi-Fi.
- In addition, many cities provide free Wi-Fi in public areas such as parks and downtown areas.
3. ROUTER
- A router is a hardware device that allows to connect several computers and other devices to a single Internet connection, which is known as a home network.
- Many routers are wireless, allowing to easily create a wireless network.
- Its not necessary to buy a router to connect to the Internet. It's possible to connect to computer directly to your modem using an Ethernet cable.
- Also, many modems now include a built-in router, so user have the option of creating a network without having to buy more hardware.
- Most routers also act as a hardware firewall, which helps prevent others from gaining access to your computer through the Internet.
4. INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER
- An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating in the Internet. Internet service providers may be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, non-profit, or otherwise privately owned.
- Internet services typically provided by ISPs include Internet access, Internet transit, domain name registration, web hosting, Usenet service, and colocation.
Once user have chosen an ISP and purchased the appropriate modem, use the instructions provided by the ISP—or included with the modem—to set up the Internet connection.
After everything is set up, open the web browser and begin using the Internet.
INTERNET CONNECTIONS
1. Wireless
Radio frequency bands are used in place of telephone or cable networks.
One of the greatest advantages of wireless Internet connections is the “always-on” connection that can be accessed from any location that falls within network coverage.
Wireless connections are made possible through the use of a modem, which picks up Internet signals and sends them to other devices.
2. Broadband
This high-speed Internet connection is provided through either cable or telephone companies.
One of the fastest options available, broadband Internet uses multiple data channels to send large quantities of information.
The term broadband is shorthand for broad bandwidth.
Broadband Internet connections such as DSL and cable are considered high-bandwidth connections. Although many DSL connections can be considered broadband, not all broadband connections are DSL.
3. DSL
DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, uses existing 2-wire copper telephone line connected to one’s home so service is delivered at the same time as landline telephone service. Customers can still place calls while surfing the Internet.
4. OC3 - Optical Carrier
Short for Optical Carrier, level 3 it is used to specify the speed of fiber optic networks conforming to the SONET standard.
OC3 is typically used as a fiber optic backbone for large networks with large voice, data, video, and traffic needs. Speeds are 155.52 Mbps, or roughly the speed of 100 T1 lines.
5. Internet over Satellite
Internet over Satellite(IoS) allows a user to access the Internet via a satellite that orbits the earth. A satellite is placed at a static point above the earth's surface, in a fixed position. Because of the enormous distances signals must travel from the earth up to the satellite and back again, IoS is slightly slower than high-speed terrestrial connections over copper or fiber optic cables. Typical Internet over satellite connection speeds (standard IP services) average around 492 up to 512 Kbps.
6. Cable
Cable Internet connection is a form of broadband access. Through use of a cable modem, users can access the Internet over cable TV lines. Cable modems can provide extremely fast access to the Internet.
7. Cellular.
Cellular technology provides wireless Internet access through cell phones. The speeds vary depending on the provider, but the most common are 3G and 4G speeds. A 3G is a term that describes a 3rd generation cellular network obtaining mobile speeds of around 2.0 Mbps. 4G is the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards. The goal of 4G is to achieve peak mobile speeds of 100 Mbps but the reality is about 21 Mbps currently.
ADVANTAGES : INTERNET
- Content published on the World Wide Web is immediately available to a global audience of users. This makes the World Wide Web a very cost-effective medium to publish information.
- User don't need to wait until resources are available to conduct business. From a consumer's perspective as well as a provider's business can be consummated at any time. The fact that the Internet is operational at all times makes it the most efficient business machine to date.
3. Access Information:
- The Internet is a virtual treasure of information.
- Any kind of information on any topic is available on the Internet.
- The ‘search engines’ on the Internet can help to find data on any subject that is needed.
4. Online Services and E-commerce
- Today it is possible to carry out financial transactions online.
- A person can transfer funds, pay taxes and utility bills or book movie tickets over the Internet in the comfort of their office or home.
- The growth of e-commerce has made it possible for people to shop for most things online.
- This has seen the emergence of retail giants such as Amazon, Ebay and Alibaba. They sell consumer goods globally. Such a feat was virtually impossible before the Internet.
5. Relatively Inexpensive
- It is relatively inexpensive to publish information on the Internet.
- At a fraction of the cost to publish information by traditional methods, various organizations and individuals can now distribute information to millions of users.
- It costs very less to establish an Internet presence and publish content on the Internet.
6. Networking Opportunities
- The Internet has created a global community of peers.
- The creation of chat rooms and Internet forums, has taken the idea of opportunities to a new level.
- A person in India, now can exchange advice regarding marketing and promotional techniques with someone in the same line of business based in Sydney, Australia or any other country.
7. Potential Customer Base
- An Internet presence instantly gives a company a global audience.
- Customers from around the world are able to learn about and purchase the products and services.
- The potential population of customers is endless.
DISADVANTAGES OF INTERNET
1. Virus, Trojan & Other Malware
- These are malicious programs that plague the Internet time and again.
- They attack a computer with the sole intent of causing harm.
- They can make the computer malfunction or even this can be very costly especially if user lose important data.
- User can easily fall victim to malicious software by clicking on a link on the Internet that appears genuine.
- Internet viruses can be categorized to three types - those that harm your executable boot files and system, those that affect a specific file by destroying it and those that keep changing things in the computer like Word files.
- User can protect themselves by installing a reliable anti-virus program on your computer before accessing the Internet.
2. Spam
- Spam may be defined as unwanted emails. Most users are exposed to scam, which is more than 50% of all Internet emails.
- Though spam is not a direct threat, it can be used to send different kinds of malware.
3. Computer crime, or cybercrime,
- It is any crime that involves a computer and a network.
- The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target.
- Netcrime is criminal exploitation of the Internet, inherently a cybercrime.
- Cyber crimes like financial crimes like plastic money cards hacking , or password leaking etc are common.
4. Cyber Laws
- When a person do business on the Internet, they are subject to the laws of the countries where customers can access their website, according to the Entrepreneur website.
- Internet business is be subject to privacy laws, copyright laws worldwide and tax laws that normally depend on where the company is located.
- If business have materials that should not be accessed by people under a certain age, they have to follow certain legal provisions before the site can go live.
- Consult an attorney knowledgeable in international commerce law as person create website or opening up for lawsuits and legal action by domestic and foreign governments.
5. Lack of Trust
- Consumers are sometimes wary of purchasing products online.
- Become certified by one of the better-known online security organizations such as Verisign and the nonprofit Internet watchdog organization TRUST.
- User cannot establish a rapport with customers in person when running an Internet business, so they need to do what they can to establish trust in other ways.
- Even with all of the precautions taken, a segment of the buying public may not feel comfortable providing its payment information on the Internet.
6. Technology Issues
- The issues like hardware or software problem might affect the work on internet.
- If business hiring process involves filling out an application, buiness may miss out on qualified candidates who would rather send a resume.
- There's always the possibility that applications and files system may operate slowly or lose information during the slow connection process.
7. Expensive Ad Prices
- Pricing for advertising online can range from inexpensive -- placements on local parenting blogs.
- The cost for banner, text and video ads vary depending on the amount of traffic and the type of readership a website or blog receives.
- Online advertising through pay-per-click campaigns and social media sites can also wreak havoc on a company's marketing budget, potentially yielding little to no return on investment.
8. Poor Website
- In many cases, users seeing internet websites may find poorly built websites.
- Example - Job posting will be relying on website to gain additional information about a company, its mission and method of operation. If a website is poorly designed or out of date, the candidate may not even bother to respond.
- There's also the possibility that the site won't have relevant information regarding the particular area of interest on which website is developed.
9. Widening Social Gaps
- The Internet has made the world a smaller place by giving us a global meeting place. It doesn't matter what language you speak or where you were born. By finding common ground on intellectual and ideological levels, you come to recognize that you have more in common with other cultures. If the Internet is censored, you are in less of a situation to learn about others and identify with similarities.
