online

Online refers to the state of being connected to a computer network, typically the Internet, allowing the exchange of data and access to services. Being online is contrasted with being offline, which denotes no active connection. The term can describe a device's connection status or a user's presence on a service.

The concept emerged with early computer networks in the 1960s and 1970s, with "online" used to indicate a connection to a central time-sharing system. By the 1980s and 1990s, widespread adoption of the Internet expanded the meaning to include broad access to information and services online. With ubiquitous broadband and mobile networks in the 2000s and 2010s, being online became a near-constant state for many users.

Online operations rely on a stack of technologies such as TCP/IP, the Domain Name System (DNS), and application protocols like HTTP and HTTPS. Access occurs via computers, smartphones, tablets, and increasingly Internet of Things devices, connected through fixed networks or wireless technologies.

Typical online activities include retrieving information, emailing, messaging, social networking, streaming media, online gaming, cloud computing, and e-commerce.

The online world has transformed communication, commerce, education, and culture, enabling global collaboration but raising concerns about privacy, security, misinformation, digital literacy, and the digital divide.

Governance includes data protection laws, privacy and cybersecurity standards, and platform moderation policies. Users face risks such as phishing, malware, data breaches, and surveillance; best practices include using strong authentication, updating software, and being cautious with personal data.

Ongoing developments in networks (5G, fiber), cloud services, and artificial intelligence continue to shape how individuals and organizations participate online.