nternet

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to communicate. It is a network of networks that enables a variety of services, including the World Wide Web, email, file sharing, streaming, and more. It is not a single network, but a complex infrastructure consisting of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks.

The Internet relies on a layered architecture. End-user devices connect to local networks, which connect to larger networks through Internet Service Providers. Data is transmitted in packets and routed by routers across networks toward their destination. Core routing protocols and addressing standards, such as IP and BGP, enable global reach.

Development began in the 1960s with ARPANET. TCP/IP became dominant in 1983, enabling standard communications. The Domain Name System (DNS) emerged in 1984. The World Wide Web, developed by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN in 1991, popularized information access, leading to rapid growth in the 1990s and beyond.

Key services and protocols include HTTP/HTTPS for the Web, SMTP for email, FTP for file transfer, and DNS for name resolution. The Web is a service built on the Internet, not the Internet itself.

Governance and access: The Internet is not owned by a single entity; its management involves organizations such as the IETF, ICANN, and regional Internet registries. Global access varies, contributing to the digital divide. Security, privacy, and net neutrality are ongoing concerns for policy and technology.

The Internet has transformed communication, commerce, education, and culture, enabling new services and applications while presenting challenges related to safety, misinformation, privacy, and surveillance.