Toshiba r500 Surfing the Internet, Internet Service Providers, Connecting to the Internet, An overview of using the Internet

124	Exploring Your Computer’s Features
	An overview of using the Internet

Internet Service Providers

To connect a computer directly to the Internet, many people and businesses use an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP is a company that has the equipment and the telecommunication lines necessary to maintain an Internet connection.

You can connect to the Internet by using a telephone and modem or through other higher-speed communication methods such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), cable, and satellite links.

Connecting to the Internet

To connect to the Internet, you need:

❖A modem and telephone line, or a LAN connection

❖A Web browser

❖An Internet Service Provider (ISP) account

Once you have established an ISP account, you can connect to the Internet.

1Connect your computer’s modem (available on certain models) to a telephone line.

2Start your Web browser. Have your modem dial the ISP’s telephone number, and establish a connection with the ISP’s computer.

If you are using your computer at the office, then you probably connect to the Internet through your company’s network. See your network administrator about connecting to the Internet.

Surfing the Internet

Once connected to the Internet, the Web browser displays a home page, for example, your ISP’s home page on the Internet or your company’s Web site home page.

To visit a desired Web site, type in the Web address. The Web address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL), is a unique identifier for that computer system linked to the Internet. Web addresses can also appear within a Web page’s text, and are known as links. Clicking a link automatically transfers your Web browser to that site.

You can also use a Search Engine, a Web site specifically designed to help you look for information.