What is the Internet – How Does it Work?

Internet, a collection of computer systems that has transformed communications and ways of commerce worldwide by enabling internet-based computer networks throughout the globe to connect. The Internet was not visible to the public until the mid-1990s, when it suddenly appeared on most people’s computers. It revolutionized how information is exchanged and how the world’s population can access resources across national borders.

One of the major developments of the Internet is its introduction of hypertext, a markup language used to create structured documents such as news, essays, and other types of information. Hypertext links are usually typed using a keyboard and mouse and then linked together using keywords and special characters (called hyperlinks). Although much of the structure of the Internet is made up of text, one of the biggest areas where Internet users interact is in the form of social media networks. These networks, such as MySpace, LinkedIn, and Facebook, allow individuals to communicate with each other in an online forum; users also can play games and create blogs within the social media network.

The major part of the Internet, which cannot be entirely explained by technology or human understanding, is the HTTP or Hypertext Transfer Protocol. This protocol is what makes the Internet possible by transmitting large amounts of data from one computer to another. The major components of the Internet include networks, servers, gateways, software, and hypertext transfer agents (htaccess). The Internet also includes other types of protocols, such as those that allow for file sharing among network users, protocols for secure communication within networks and to give Internet users control over their computers. In essence, the Internet is made up of a bunch of different protocols that work together, thereby transforming the Internet into one seamless network.