Internet - Description, History & Uses

The Internet is the most commonly used term in today’s world and plays a very important role in the everyday life of people. But there are many questions, answers to which people need to know. In this article, we shall help you find answers to these questions; discuss the evolution of the Internet, its usage, benefits, history and how the Internet works. 

In terms of Computer Awareness, the Internet is one of the most important topics in competitive exams. Thus, candidates preparing for exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, etc. must read on to learn more about the Internet. 

For other important terms and software involved with Computer, candidates can check the Computer Knowledge page. 

Let us first answer a few of the most important questions which arise with regard to the Internet.

Question: What is the Internet?

Answer: A global system of interconnected computers, using a standardised Internet Protocol suite for communication and sharing information is called the Internet.

Question: What is ISP?

Answer: ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. This helps in providing direct access for using the internet from your office or home, connected through landlines. With the introduction of Wi-fi and broadband, connecting to the Internet has become wireless.

Question: What is the World Wide Web?

Answer: World Wide Web or ‘www’ is a collection of webpages which can easily be published on the Internet and read by millions of its users. To know the difference between World Wide Web (www) and Internet, candidates can visit the linked article.

Question: What is an IP address?

Answer: The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identification code assigned for any device connected to a network. It acts as an identification interface for Internet users.

Question: What is a Web Browser?

Answer: A web browser is a software application for accessing the information on the World Wide Web. The commonly used web browsers include Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, etc.

Learn more about the other Computer related terms with the help of links given below:

History and Evolution of the Internet

The Internet completely revolutionised communication and technology across the Globe. Initially, computerised devices were only used for large industries but later its usage increased massively.

It is also mandatory for people to know that it is not possible for a single person to develop something as broad and wide as the Internet all by himself/herself. It was a combined effort of multiple researchers and programmers that the Internet was discovered. 

Given below are a few important points which played an extremely important role in the development of the Internet and making it one of the most widely used resources across the world. 

• The first development was the introduction of host-to-host network interactions. This was first observed in ARPANET in 1969. It was developed by Advanced Research Projects Agency (APRA) of the Department of Defence, U.S. It was one of the first general usage of computer networks.
• Next step was commercialising the usage and making the transistors and transmitters fit in smaller devices for convenient Internet usage for the general public. This was introduced in the 1970s
• Moving forward, satellites and wireless communication was the main target. Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (formerly ARPA), supported satellite-based radio packets for mobile usage of networks
• The next was the development of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). This enabled different machines and networks across the world to assemble data packets. It was in the 1980s that the TCP/IP approach was adapted by researchers and technologists, following the footsteps of the U.S. Department of Defence
• With the introduction of personal computers, the demand for commercial Internet usage increased. This was the time when Ethernet and other Local Area Networks cam in the foreground
• In 1993, the web browser was introduced, which followed the point-and-click approach and is now a widely used operation for Internet users
• The late 1990s was the time when thousands of Internet Service Providers has taken up the market and most of them were from the U.S.
• And then the 21st century brought in an amalgamation of technology and wireless Internet accessibility for its users. Wherein, wireless broadband services came in as a boon for Internet users

Amid all these developments which were made, a lot of successes and failures came in but today, the Internet is one such commodity which has made lives easier and brought in a wider pace for development across the globe.

Since Computer Awareness is an important topic from the Government examination point of view, candidates can get a more understandable explanation of the Internet and its various aspects by reviewing the video given below:

Ways To Connect To Internet

The different ways in which one can connect to the Internet are discussed below in brief:

• Dial-Up – In such connections, users are required to link their phone line to a computer to access the Internet. Under this connection, the user cannot make or receive phone calls through tier home phone service

• Broadband – Provided either through cable or phone companies, Broadband is a high-speed internet connection which is widely used today

• Wireless Connection – Wi-fi and Mobile service providers fall under this category. Internet connectivity is made via radio waves and the Internet can be connected anywhere, irrespective of the location. Given below are a few examples of wireless connection:
  • Wi-fi – Wireless Fidelity or wi-fi allows high-speed internet connectivity without the use of wires
  • Mobile Phones – All smartphones are now equipped with an option for Internet connectivity which can be availed using Internet vouchers and packs. No external connection or wire is required for these
  • Satellite – Where broadband connections are unavailable, satellites are used for wireless Internet connectivity
  • Integrated Services Digital Network – ISDN allows users to sent audio or video data using telephone lines

Aspirants for Government exams can check the links given below and practise more and more questions from the different sections and topics which are included in the competitive exam syllabus:

Internet Connection Protocols

Protocols are a set of rules that help in governing the way in which any particular body or technology works.

Internet Connection Protocols can be divided into three major types:

• TCP/IP Network Model – Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) are the most widely used protocols for connecting networks. It divides any message into a series of packets which are sent from source to destination
• File Transfer Protocol – Program files, multimedia files, text files, documents, etc. can be transferred from one device to another, using FTP
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol – Used for transferring a hypertext from one device to two or more devices. HTML tags are used for creating links and these links may be in the form of text or images

Internet forms an integral part of computer usage today and is an important topic to be well prepared for govt exams. Given below are links to other such important subjects which are a part of the syllabus:

Pros and Cons of Using the Internet

Intentionally or unintentionally, Internet usage is a part in the day to day lives of every individual. The Internet has made lives easy and comfortable, but at the same time made human being dependable for the smallest or biggest of information. Discussed below are the uses of the internet, along with a few cons that it brings along.

Pros of Internet

• Easy Access to Information – Information on anything and everything are available online. The Internet makes it convenient to learn about new things at any point in time and get details on various subjects, irrespective of time and place
• Platform for Online Education – With the advanced technology, even students and adults wish to learn new things and gaining knowledge at various online portals has become more accessible
• Job Hunting – Employers can look for employees on the internet and the job seekers can apply online for jobs using the Internet
• Platform to become an Entrepreneur – Today, thousands of people have started their own websites and getting good business and users/customers by making their own websites and selling products or services. This has become accessible due to Internet connectivity
• Visual and Graphical Representation of Things – Various researches have shown that a person tends to get more engaged with a graphical representation of things. Internet has made this facility also convenient for both user and creator 
• Reduced the parameter of Distance – Social media has reduced the distance between people as communication has become much easier because of Internet connection  

With the Internet being an extremely essential part of daily life, it is important that a person is well aware of the disadvantages of the Internet and its excess usage.

Cons of Internet

• Dependency – The dependency of people for looking things and information online has increased massively since the introduction of Internet and its easy access
• Cyber Crime – People do not just use internet for learning purposes, cybercrime has also been at a distinctive high because of effortless availability of resources
• Distraction – People can easily find online games, interesting information, etc. online which may be a cause of distraction for may
• Bullying and Trolls – Online platforms are being used for unethical practises like bullying people and trolling them

All the information provided in this article regarding the Internet will bring in a broader perspective of connectivity, networks and protocols which are necessary for Internet usage.

Analysing and studying the information given here shall prove to be highly useful for people belonging to all age groups. 

Given below are a few difference between articles which will help candidates understand the different computer-based terms and applications even better:

• Difference Between RAM and ROM
• Difference Between MS Excel and MS Word
• Difference Between IPV4 and IPV 6
• Difference Between Firewall and Antivirus
• Difference Between Notepad and WordPad
• Difference Between Virus and Malware

Sample Questions on Internet for Competitive Exams

Given below are a few sample questions on Internet. A similar type of questions may be asked in the Computer Knowledge section from this topic in the upcoming competitive exams.

Q 1. A unit of data made into a single package that travels along a given network path is called ________.

1. Data Packet
2. Modem
3. Internet Data 
4. Transmitter
5. None of the above

Answer: (1) Data Packet

Q 2. What is the size of an IPv6 IP address?

1. 64 bits
2. 1024 bits
3. 128 bits
4. 32 bits
5. 546 bits

Answer: (3) 128 bits

Q 3. What is the traditional technology used for connecting devices in a WAN, LAN and MAN, enabling them to communicate with each other via a protocol?

1. ARPANET
2. Ethernet
3. DRPANET
4. IP
5. None of the above

Answer: (2) Ethernet

Q 4. What is the full form of Wi-fi?

1. Wireless Field
2. Wireless Facility
3. Wireless Fidelity
4. Wirefree Field
5. Wirefree Facility

Answer: (3) Wireless Fidelity

Q 5. What is the full form of HTML?

1. Hypertext Markup Language
2. Hypertext Markup Links
3. HyperText Marketing Links
4. HyperText Management List
5. HyperText Memory Listing

Answer: (1) HyperText Markup Language

Q 6. Which was the first host-to-host network connection?

1. Internet
2. ARPANET
3. ETHERNET
4. APARNET
5. None of the above

Answer: (2) ARPANET

Q 7. HTML is a ______

1. Website
2. Scripting Language
3. Web Browser
4. Search Engine
5. Network Connection

Answer: (2) Scripting Language

Q 8. What is the full form for FTP?

1. Fast Transferring Portal
2. File Transfer Protocol
3. File Text Processor
4. Fast Text Processor
5. File Transmitter Process

Answer: (2) File Transfer Protocol

Q 9. How long is an IPv4 address?

1. 62 bits
2. 32 bits
3. 16 bits
4. 128 bits
5. 64 bits

Answer: (2) 32 bits

Q 10. _____ is the computer protocol used by the Internet.

1. TCP/ IP
2. WWW
3. HTTPS
4. HTML
5. FTP

Answer: (1) TCP/ IP

A similar type of questions may be asked based on the Internet in the upcoming competitive exams.

Government exam aspirants can also check the Preparation Strategy for Competitive Exams at the linked article and proceed with their preparation accordingly.  

For study material on any other topic, candidates can turn to BYJU’S and get the latest exam information, preparation tips and other relevant information.