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Internet - Introduction

              Nowadays,  the  Internet  has become  an  important  means  of  communication for  the  people  even  at  remote
              locations. It is a worldwide system of interconnecting computers through a global network for the purpose of
              sharing information. It can be accessed by anybody all over the world.

              It is defined as: "A global system of networks using wired or wireless mediums to interconnect different types
              of networks consisting of billions  of computers, smartphones and  other  smart devices for  sharing data  and
              information with add-on features of entertainment, services and ecommerce."

              If your computer is connected to the Internet, you say that your computer is online. With the help of the Internet,
              you can gather a lot of knowledge which is available on it. The knowledge is stored in a big library/ storehouse,
              called the World Wide Web (WWW) or the Web. It is a collection of different websites that you can view if you are
              connected to the Internet. You can also use these websites to buy something, watch movies, read books, learn new
              skills, educate yourself, find the best colleges to study further, etc. Uses of the Internet There is no limit to what
              you can do online, but some of the most common uses are given below:

                 • Search information: The Internet helps to locate information from the world wide web using search engines.
                These are websites that allow the users to search for any information using keywords or phrases. You can get
                the latest information about anything that is uploaded on the web, whether it is the result, news about an
                earthquake, a cricket match or the election details.
                 • Shopping: You can buy and sell products, such as books and electronic goods over the Internet. You can also
                pay for these products via digital modes of payments, such as wallets, plastic cardsor through e-banking.
                 • Entertainment: The online mode has become a new generation entertainment medium. You can watch movies/
                series online, play games, listen to music, etc. There are online applications that allow you to even play musical
                instruments online. You can play games in teams with other people on this virtual platform.
                 • Online booking: You can book movie tickets, hotels, bus/train/ plane tickets, etc., online.
                 • E-mail and chatting: You can talk or send messages to people all around the world quickly and easily. The
                messages you send over the Internet can reach any part of world in just a few seconds. For example, Gmail and
                Outlook.
                 • Online learning: There are a number of courses available online-some are free while others are not. You can do
                a course on a topic you like or want to know more about.
                 • Social networking: You can share your interests, knowledge and stories with your family and friends around the
                world. For example, Facebook and Twitter.
                 • Online banking: You can do banking operations, like checking details of your bank account or transferring
                money from one account to another through mobile banking/NEFT/RTGS.


              Connecting to the Internet
              To connect to the Internet, you need:
                 • A device, such as a computer, laptop or mobile.
                 •  A connection device, i.e., a modem. An Internet Service Provider (ISP)—i.e., the telephone company which
                provides the Internet connectivity using the phone lines or a wireless network.


              Types of connections
                 • Wired connections: When our computer is connected to the Internet using a wire, it is called a wired connection.
                We use Ethernet cables (cables used for connecting to the Internet) to connect to the modem which connects
                to the ISP using a phone line.

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