Basics of the Internet
The Internet in its earlier decades was simple and easy to use. But as years go by, it becomes more complex and very fast. After using the Net for more than four years, I got inspired to review its basics because I seem to have forgotten it! Let’s get back to Internet basics and basic components.
The most prominent component of the Internet model is the Internet Protocol (IP) which provides addressing systems (IP addresses) for computers on the Internet. It enables internetworking and essentially establishes the Internet itself. But one of the cause of Internet connection problems is the exhaustion of IPv4 (IP version 4) because of the explosive growth of the Internet. Now we wouldn’t be in the basics anymore if we continue so…
Connecting to the Internet
Broadband – Most users prefer this connection because it’s the fastest and most stable. But you can only use this on a fixed location.
WiFi or Wireless – As opposed to broadband, you can use this connection where ever you are, ergo wireless.
Programs and Applications
Before you can do something with your computer, you must have programs and applications. When you buy a new computer, there are already installed programs that would let you add more.
Browsers
Browsers are the doors to the Net. Our connection to the Internet is useless without them. In order for us to browse or ’surf’ the Internet and connect to other websites, we need to use browsers. Examples of Browsers:
Google Chrome
Ubuntu
Firefox
Opera
Safari
Explorer
Networking
The main reason for connecting to the Net is networking which is sharing of resources and information among computers and devices connected to the network. By networking, users can communicate efficiently and easily via e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, telephony, video telephone calls, and videoconferencing.
Social Networking is mainly done for leisure. By using programs and applications, people can join a social network and exchange messages and pictures. The most popular social network sites are Facebook and Twitter. Serious working people see social networks as time wasters.
Internet Safety and Security
Many new computer users don’t realize that maintaining their gadgets isn’t a simple task and fail to maintain the safety and security of their computers, either unintentionally or by recklessness, until one day, their computer ‘crashes’ and find out that their gadget wouldn’t work anymore.
Tasks for maintenance and safety:
Updating Operating System
Updating Browsers
Updating Antivirus, Antimalware, Antispyware
Using link scanners that check if the site we plan to visit is safe
Deleting suspicious ‘flash cookies’
Doing all these tasks regularly
(And I’m not sure yet if these tasks are complete!)
We can update any of these automatically but sometimes for some reason, it stops working. So another task is checking for updates.
Things that could happen if we ignore safety:
Malfunction of your computer
Malware, spyware, or virus infection which could stop or ruin our computers
Identity theft which could lead to stolen bank accounts -This is the most dangerous and most popular among computer criminals
Hijacking of your personal weblogs, email account, or sites
I hope I have convinced us all that Internet security is a must. Some techies believe that we have to be paranoid about our internet safety to be really safe.
See more of Poch Peralta’s posts and pages on Plato on-line at www.pochp.wordpress.com
According to Robert Morrow, a retired Air Force Academy electrical engineering professor, WiFi and cellular data are on the way out because the future belongs to WiMax. There are others, however, who are not quite as glowing in their praise of the emerging WiMax technology, and who believe that it will prove too expensive to have any real practical value.
