The Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net"
It is a worldwide system of computer network-- a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other computers).
It was conceived by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the U.S. government in 1969 and was first known as the ARPANet.
The original aim was to create a network that would allow users of a research computer at one university to "talk to" research computers at other universities.
A side benefit of ARPANet's design was that, because messages could be routed or rerouted in more than one direction, the network could continue to function even if parts of it were destroyed in the event of a military attack or other disaster. During the Cold War era, one of the primary concerns for the United States government was to find ways of protecting its military communications system, as well as ways to make its command and control network able to survive a nuclear attack from the Soviet Union.
Today, the Internet is a public, cooperative and self-sustaining facility accessible to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
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ARPANET
Full form :-
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network
ARPAnet began development in 1966 by the United States ARPA.
ARPANET was a Wide Area Network linking many Universities and research centers, was first to use packet switching, and was the beginning of what we consider the Internet today.
ARPANET was created to make it easier for people to access computers, improve computer equipment, and to have a more effective communication method for the military.
ARPANET started when the first two nodes were established between UCLA and SRI (Stanford Research Institute) in 1969 followed shortly after that by UCSB and the University of Utah. The picture below is an example of what ARPANET looked like in March 1977.
ARPANET completed its transition to TCP/IP on January 2, 1983, was later replaced by NSFNET in 1990, and then decommissioned on February 28, 1990.
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Indian History of the Internet
Internet in India began in 1986 and was available only to the educational and research community. It was publicly available from 15 August 1995.
The history of internet in India began with the launch of the Educational Research Network (ERNET) in 1986.
The network was made available only to educational and research communities. ERNET was initiated by the Department of Electronics (DoE), with funding from the Government of India and United Nations Development Program (UNDP), involving eight premier institutions as participating agencies—NCST Bombay, Indian Institute of Science, five Indian Institutes of Technology (Delhi, Mumbai, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Chennai), and the DoE in New Delhi.
The first publicly available internet service in India was launched by state-owned Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) on 15 August 1995.
At the time, VSNL had a monopoly over international communications in the country and private enterprise was not permitted in the sector. The internet service, known as the Gateway Internet Access Service (GIAS), provided a speed of 9.6 kbit/s speed and was priced at ₹5,200 for 250 hours for individuals, ₹16,200 for institutional dial-up SLIP/PPP accounts, and higher for leased line services.
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How the Internet works
Physically, the Internet uses a portion of the total resources of the currently existing public telecommunication networks. Technically, what distinguishes the Internet is its use of a set of protocols called Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
Two recent adaptations of Internet technology, the intranet and the extranet, also make use of the TCP/IP protocol.
The Internet can be seen as having two major components: network protocols and hardware. The protocols, such as the TCP/IP suite, present sets of rules that devices must follow in order to complete tasks.
Without this common collection of rules, machines would not be able to communicate.
The protocols are also responsible for translating the alphabetic text of a message into electronic signals that can be transmitted over the Internet, and then back again into legible, alphabetic text.
Hardware, the second major component of the Internet, includes everything from the computer or smartphone that is used to access the Internet to the cables that carry information from one device to another. Additional types of hardware include satellites, radios, cell phone towers, routers and servers.
These various types of hardware are the connections within the network. Devices such as computers, smartphones and laptops are end points, or clients, while the machines that store the information are the servers. The transmission lines that exchange the data can either be wireless signals from satellites or 4G and cell phone towers, or physical lines, such as cables and fiber optics.
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To connect to the Internet you need the following six things:
1. Computer :-
The Computer is essential. All kinds of computer like PCs, Desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet and smartphone can be used to connect to the Internet
2. Modem :-
Modem is short for "Modulator-Demodulator."
It is a hardware component that allows a computer or another device, such as a router or switch, to connect to the Internet.
It converts or "modulates" an analog signal from a telephone or cable wire to digital data (1s and 0s) that a computer can recognize.
Similarly, it converts digital data from a computer or other device into an analog signal that can be sent over standard telephone lines.
The first modems were "dial-up," meaning they had to dial a phone number to connect to an ISP. These modems operated over standard analog phone lines and used the same frequencies as telephone calls, which limited their maximum data transfer rate to 56 Kbps. Dial-up modems also required full use of the local telephone line, meaning voice calls would interrupt the Internet connection.
Modern modems are typically DSL or cable modems, which are considered "broadband" devices. DSL modems operate over standard telephone lines, but use a wider frequency range. This allows for higher data transfer rates than dial-up modems and enables them to not interfere with phone calls. Cable modems send and receive data over standard cable television lines, which are typically coaxial cables. Most modern cable modems support DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification), which provides an efficient way of transmitting TV, cable Internet, and digital phone signals over the same cable line.
3. Telephone line and Internet Connection :-
A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband telephone connection uses the wiring placed for phone services to provide Internet access for your home or business. But the installation of DSL does not limit your access to phone services at the same time. With the use of a splitter during installation, you can have access to both Internet and telephone services at the same time, without interference between the two.
Process :--
1
Contact a DSL provider in your area, usually the telephone company or another Internet service provider (ISP), and sign up for services.
2
Plug a DSL line splitter into the wall jack that you’re using for your DSL modem connection. The splitter splits the jack’s services into two, one for the telephone and one for the modem.
3
Plug a telephone wire into one of the splitter jacks. Plug the other end of the wire into the jack on the rear of the DSL modem.
4
Plug an Ethernet cable into the rear of the DSL modem, and then plug the other end of the cable into an available Ethernet port on your computer. Plug the power cord of the modem into a nearby outlet.
5
Turn on your computer and wait for the computer to launch the desktop screen. Turn on the modem and wait for it to make a connection with your ISP. The online indicator light should light up when the connection is made.
6
Navigate to the "Start" button on your computer, and then select the “Control Panel.” Click “Network and Internet” followed by “Network and Sharing Center” then “Set up a connection or network.” Click "Connect to the Internet" to utilize the new Internet connection on your system.
7
Plug a DSL line filter into the second jack of the splitter to filter out any noise from the connection. Plug the second telephone wire into the filter and, then into the telephone to allow you to use phone service along with your Internet service.
4. Web browser :-
web Browser is an application software that allows us to view and explore information on the web. User can request for any web page by just entering a URL into address bar.
A web browser takes you anywhere on the internet, letting you see text, images and video from anywhere in the world.
A web browser takes you anywhere on the internet. It retrieves information from other parts of the web and displays it on your desktop or mobile device. The information is transferred using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which defines how text, images and video are transmitted on the web. This information needs to be shared and displayed in a consistent format so that people using any browser, anywhere in the world can see the information.
Earlier the web browsers were text-based while now a days graphical-based or voice-based web browsers are also available. There are a lot of web browser available in the market.
Following are the most common web browser available today.
Browser. Company vendor
| Internet Explorer | Microsoft |
| Google Chrome | |
| Mozilla Firefox | Mozilla |
| Netscape Navigator | Netscape Communications Corp. |
| Opera | Opera Software |
| Safari | Apple |
| Sea Monkey | Mozilla Foundation |
| K-meleon | K-meleon |
5. Router :-
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Uses of the Internet
In general, the Internet can be used to communicate across large or small distances, share information from any place in the world and access information or answers to almost any question in moments.
Some specific examples of how the Internet is used include:
1. Search Engines or Stay Informed :-
These engines locate the information one seeks, available in whichever server across the globe (world wide web). Google, Yahoo, and MSN are the renowned search engines in use today. One can search on anything in this site and the search question can be in any format. In fact, People have started using the word Google as a generic verb synonymous to search.
2. Electronic Mail (email)
The first major use of the internet is Email. People thronged to Email for sharing information, data files, Photos, Videos, Business communications, and any other files instantaneously with others.
This had enabled faster communication between people and improve business efficiency.
Email has reduced the usage of paper considerably and reduced load on physical mail systems.
Though other latest collaboration tools provide many rich features, they are not able to de-popularize Email and it still rules the official and personal communication.
There are many free Email websites offering mail services and practically every individual has an Email address and connected by Email.
Email concepts paved the way for developing many innovative tools for improved collaboration.
3. E-Commerce
The Internet enables the selling of goods and services in online mode.
There are many e-commerce platform vendors like Amazon, Ola who aggregate several products/services available in the market and sell them through their portal to customers.
Products are procured by platform vendors, stored in their warehouses, packed and distributed by them in their own brand.
Customers get a good discount and they don’t have to visit physical stores.
4. Online Banking
Called as Net banking, it allows doing banking transactions at ease sitting at home or while on mobile.
Footfalls in the bank branches have come down appreciably with almost all the services are available in net banking 24×7.
Any amount of money can be transferred instantaneously through this facility.
E-Banking supports Electricity bills, Telephone bills, and other services payment.
5. Cashless Transactions
Bill Payment at merchandise outlets through debit cards, credit cards, UPI gateway are on the increase.
Cash circulation gets reduced in the system to the extent of the growth of these transactions. It’s growing by more than 50% every year and it is expected to grow by 10 times over the next 5 years.
6. Education
The Internet offers a wealth of educational material on any subject with structured navigation and search facilities.
One can seek any reading material and the internet will get it for them from any server in any part of the world and people need not have to go to libraries to go through books.
Those who cannot attend physical (face to face) class can take an online course where they get connected to the teacher, in the other part of the world, in video mode and get taught on the subject backed up other audiovisual tools.
7. Collaboration and communication :-
Online chat tools like messenger, Skype, and other video conferencing tools help people to get connected 24 x7 and have a hassle-free business and personal discussion.
This avoids unwanted travel by people and save their time for productive use.
The Internet has also facilitated work from home with seamless connectivity to the office and avoid daily commuting.
8. Social Networking
Internet connects people online and enables them to form social groups. Information, Ideas, views, and opinions on any social/political issues are exchanged. The political and social organization makes use of this platform in promoting their interest among the public.
9. Research
The Internet is playing a significant role in the field of research. Before the use of the Internet, it was quite hard to look for information about anything. People had to go through hundreds of books for references to find the desired information.
However, the Internet has made it a lot easier, and anyone can find the required information at some clicks only.
In research, people can study about the success and failed research and work further for the improvements. Uses of the Internet in research have incredibly beneficial for the researchers.
10. Entertainment
The Internet is the most effective means of entertainment.
There are various options available on the Internet, which people can try, such as watching movies, playing online games, listening to songs, etc.
The Internet has also made it easy for people to download entertainment items to their local storage. Using the Internet, people can also share their videos, songs, pictures online with others. Also, nowadays, people can watch live TV or sports on the Internet.
11. Navigation
The navigation mechanism is one of the most beneficial uses of the Internet. Once a user put the location in the online maps (such as Google maps), it provides all the details about that location. Users can even find the best route to visit that particular location.
The map also provides the distance between the locations. The best thing about navigation is that it will provide the shortest possible route with less traffic.
One can also search for any specific place like the nearest hotel, restaurants, banks, ATM, etc. Apart from this, a person can share a live location with others using the Internet and the navigation technique.
12. Advertising
Because most people use the Internet, it is the best means of promoting something or advertising.
There are options for paid promotion as well as free promotion. There are many advertising platforms on the Internet that help promote products or businesses online.
These platforms advertise products on other related websites using banners, videos, email etc.
They charge for these advertisements according to distance, keywords and audience etc. However, one can also use social media platforms to create online groups or communities and advertise freely.
13. Real-time updates (NEWS)
The Internet is helping people to keep up with what is happening around the world.
Many news and information websites provide real-time updates on various categories, such as politics, history, news, geology, leisure, sports, technology, marketing, and more.
One can easily select the category of interest and stay connected with updates. The presence of e-newspapers and magazines is updating people and helping to cut paper usage.
Overview :-
Based on a recent survey of Internet traffic, the most popular uses of the Internet in descending order of use are:
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Electronic mail. At least 85% of the inhabitants of cyberspace send and receive e-mail. Some 20 million e-mail messages cross the Internet every week.
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Research.
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Downloading files.
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Discussion groups. These include public groups, such as those on Usenet, and the private mailing lists that ListServ manages.
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Interactive games. Who hasn’t tried to hunt down at least one game?
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Education and self-improvement. On-line courses and workshops have found yet another outlet.
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Friendship and dating. You may be surprised at the number of electronic “personals” that you can find on the World Wide Web.
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Electronic newspapers and magazines. This category includes late-breaking news, weather, and sports. We’re likely to see this category leap to the top five in the next several years.
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Job-hunting. Classified ads are in abundance, but most are for technical positions.
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Shopping. It’s difficult to believe that this category even ranks. It appears that “cybermalls” are more for curious than serious shoppers.
The survey shows that individuals, corporations, business people, and groups use Internet primarily as a communications vehicle as these users reduce their use of fax machines, telephones, and the postal service. E-mail should remain at the top of the list. The Internet has continued and will continue to change how we view the world.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet
Now a day, the internet has become the most popular and influential medium in the world whereas it’s had been unknown to people fifteen years before.
It is the biggest source of information, communication, and advertising. Computers and the internet are present in most homes but it has its own advantages and disadvantages. The Internet has many applications like BlockChain, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and etc.
Advantages of Internet:
Source of Information:
It is the best source of a variety of information. Now even students of colleges and universities mainly depend on it to complete not only their assignments but also to keep themselves up-to-date.
There is no better source of research other than the internet. We can find the latest trends, we can talk to specialists without actually visiting them, and we can also get professional assistance through the internet.
Source of Entertainment:
Online games, chatting, surfing, music, movies, dramas, and TV shows are becoming the most common sources of entertainment.
Games are available free of cost, chat rooms are available to discuss on any topic, entertainment websites are accessible, online movies and other TV shows are also easily accessible just because of the internet.
Keep Informed:
Internet is a source of the newest news because there are hundreds and thousands of news-groups and services which keep you informed with every tick of the clock.
People like to read news about sports, weather, politics or any other topic internet keeps you well informed and up-to-date.
Online Shopping:
Internet shopping is becoming popular because of virtual shops where you can buy anything you want and need without going out of the home.
Virtual shops are earning much money recently. The most popular product is clothes which more women are buying them through the internet. Also, groceries, household, and other electronic items are available.
You only need to sit in front of the computer, click the mouse and the product will be at your doorstep within a few hours.
Information and Education online
Secondly, information is the most significant advantage that the Internet has to offer. The Internet is a treasure trove of practical knowledge.
Any kind of information on any subject under the sun is available on the Internet.
Search engines like Google and Yahoo are on your service through the Internet.
From new ideas, market info, trade fairs & conference, government law and services, and technical support, vast info are available on the Internet about everything man knows, and this list has no end.
If students have a problem with their education or their daily life, they can find many solutions to that problem from the Internet. There they can find articles that help them from scholars and other professional people. They can take lectures from various academics on different topics.
Money making machine
One of the essential benefits of the Internet is that students can earn from the Internet through blogging. Students may be interested in obtaining via the Internet. It is an excellent source of income for them, and it also gives them a unique writing experience.
It is a must-do for students who are interested in media and want to be future writers. It will improve their professional skills, which will lead them to a great future. Students can also use the Internet for social connectivity, and many social media websites use social networking.
Popular social networking sites include Facebook, Twitter, Website, and others. Students can contact themselves with international students and discuss various issues to enhance their skills and knowledge. Students can find any information to improve their experience by using the Internet intelligently.
Disadvantages of Internet:
On the other side of the coin if we discuss its disadvantages in brief then the following are some common:
A Waste of Time:
Most people argue that spending a lot of time using the internet is bad which leads to obesity in the young generation.
In the contemporary world, people also say that the internet is not necessary for life and life would be easier without it.
Not Safe Place for Children:
If children are allowed to use the internet then parents become worried if they are spending much time on the internet.
Pornography and unethical communities are
Kids avoiding outdoor activities
There are host games available on the Internet that led many children to avoid all outdoor activities.
In the absence of physical activity, children are more susceptible to many diseases associated with lifestyles such as ERS deficiency and fail to develop interpersonal skills.
Along with these factors, constantly sitting in front of a computer screen can severely damage our eyes and put pressure on our neck and shoulders.
Children are in their formative years, and these factors can cause them lifelong problems. Internet games make children more violent. There are a lot of internet games that contain content of violence, and this can negatively impact children..
So one can say that the internet is not a safe place for children because there are different tools available who can bypass ‘parental protection’. Also, children who use the internet are becoming addicted to it which is again very dangerous.
Privacy Exposure:
Because of the hacker's community now it’s very easy to decipher someone’s chat or email messages.
As we know data is transmitted in the form of packets, hackers sniff that packets and easily reconstruct.
Money Frauds:
With the introduction of online business, virtual shops, and credit card usage; now it becomes very easy to buy things without going into the market.
Besides legitimate sites there are some other Social Media Advertising sites that make frauds of money, these sites try to get your personal information, credit card details, and even pin code.
Once they get this information you can easily become a victim of money frauds.
Viruses/Malware:
Often our systems get infected from viruses and ultimately damage our important data which is difficult to recover. These viruses are transported via the internet, CDs, and USBs. Our computer can become totally out of order.
Online Threatening or Harassment:
If someone manages to get your personal IDs or email address then it becomes easier to harass in chat rooms, online messages, and through emails.
In the end, the internet has its own advantages and disadvantages but its advantages are extremely high. It simply making lives easier but we should not forget about the disadvantage it may bring.
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