What is the Internet?

The Internet is a network of computers linked by telephone lines and by other means of connection such as cable, fiber optics, and satellite. The Internet is worldwide, like the telephone system.

Computers on the Internet store and transmit documents, pictures, music, and movies provided by computer users and services from all over the world. When information on a particular topic or on related topics is gathered into one location on the Internet, the location is called a Web site.

Did you know ...

Some Web sites gather information about their visitors. For privacy considerations, choose wisely which Web sites you visit.

What Is the Web?

People tend to use the terms Internet, Web, and World Wide Web (WWW) interchangeably. Actually, the Web is just one part of the Internet. It is the part that makes up the interconnected text, graphics, video, and sounds that are stored on the devices that make up the Internet. The Web is home to millions of Web sites and is set up by businesses, agencies, institutions, individuals, and others. You name it, it’s probably somewhere on the Web.

When you are connected to the Internet, you are online. You can see information that was created and stored for public viewing on the Web. For example, if you are in Texas and your friend is in Australia, both of you can see the same images on the Web.

What Do I Need in Order to Surf the Web?To begin surfing, you must have the following:

➜A physical connection to the Internet, such as the modem that is included in your Appliance. A modem is the hardware and software that your Appliance uses for sending information to or receiving information from the Internet through a standard telephone line or other type of connection.

➜An Internet Service Provider (ISP) serves as your entry point to the Internet and to the Web. When your Home Internet Appliance is connecting to the Internet, it has dialed the telephone number of a computer that is managed by Microsoft Network (MSN™).

➜A Web browser is a program that allows you to visit and see Web sites on the Internet. Your Home Internet Appliance includes a browser known as Microsoft Internet Explorer.

4-2 WELCOME TO THE INTERNET

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