Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Learning about the Internet

The Internet is a worldwide network of computers linked together to provide information to people everywhere. The two most popular services on the Internet are e-mail and the World Wide Web. You can access this network by connecting your computer to a telephone, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or cable line and signing up with an Internet service provider (ISP).

Cable and DSL modems, a connection known as broadband, use your TV cable or special telephone lines to connect to your ISP and access the Internet. Cable and DSL modems connect to your computer through an Ethernet jack and provide a faster connection speed than a standard telephone modem.

Important To locate the Ethernet jack on your computer, see “Back” on page 4.

Internet Servers

store information so other computers can access it from the Internet.

Your computer

connects to the Internet through an ISP.

ISP Servers

let you connect to the Internet and access your e-mail messages.

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