Internets

The Internet, often referred to as the Internets in historical or informal usage, is the global system of interconnected computer networks that communicate using the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). The term Internet is treated as a singular proper noun today, while "Internets" can appear in discussions about early networking or as a humorous plural.

Origins trace to research networks in the 1960s and 1970s, notably ARPANET, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. The TCP/IP protocol suite became the standard in 1983, enabling diverse networks to interconnect. The subsequent expansion, the creation of the World Wide Web, and commercialization in the 1990s drove global adoption.

Technically, the Internet is a layered, packet-switched network of networks. Core technologies include IP for addressing, TCP and UDP for transport, DNS for naming, and application protocols such as HTTP(S), SMTP/IMAP/POP3 for mail. Routers exchange reachability information using BGP to connect different networks.

Governance is distributed rather than centralized. Standards are developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and other bodies; policy and address management are overseen by organizations like ICANN and various regional registries. Access methods include fixed-line, mobile, and wireless networks provided by Internet service providers to end users.

The Internet has transformed communication, commerce, education, and culture. It presents ongoing challenges, including security, privacy, censorship, and the digital divide, and debates about net neutrality and data governance continue to shape its evolution.