Internet

The Internet is a very large network that links computers and other digital devices around the world. A network is a group of connected machines that can share information. The Internet connects many smaller networks into one global system. This makes it possible for people in different places to send messages, view information, and use online services almost instantly.

The Internet began as a research project in the United States during the late 1960s. It was first called ARPANET, a network created by the U.S. Department of Defense. The goal was to allow computers at universities and research centers to share data. Over time, more networks joined together. By the 1980s and 1990s, the Internet expanded beyond research use and became available to the public.

Information on the Internet travels through physical paths such as cables, including fiber-optic cables that run underground and under oceans. Data is broken into small pieces called packets. These packets travel through many computers called routers, which guide them to the correct destination. This system allows data to move even if part of the network is busy or damaged.

Many services work on top of the Internet. One of the best known is the World Wide Web. The web uses linked documents called web pages, which are viewed using a browser. Other Internet services include email, file sharing, video streaming, and online games. Each service uses rules called protocols, which are agreed methods for sending and receiving data.

The Internet uses addresses called IP addresses to identify devices. An IP address is a set of numbers that tells the network where data should go. Because numbers are hard to remember, the Internet also uses names called domain names. These names are linked to IP addresses through a system called the Domain Name System.

Today, the Internet connects billions of devices, including computers, smartphones, and servers. A server is a computer that stores information and provides it to other devices. Although the Internet is widely used, it is not controlled by a single group. It is managed through shared technical standards and cooperation between many organizations.