Connecting and Communicating Online

Connecting and Communicating Online: The Internet, Websites, and Media

• The Internet facilitates various modes of online communication.
• The chapter aims to equip readers with the knowledge to enhance their Internet usage.
• It will help to safely use public Wi-Fi, protecting yourself from identity theft
• Registering a domain name and combatting cyberbullying is something to learn

Objectives

• Discuss the evolution of the Internet
• Briefly describe various broadband Internet connections
• Describe the purpose of an IP address and its relationship to a domain name
• Describe features of browsers and identify the components of a web address
• Describe ways to compose effective search text
• Explain benefits and risks of using online social networks
• Describe uses of various types of websites
• Explain how the web uses graphics, animation, audio, video, and virtual reality
• Explain how email, email lists, Internet messaging, chat rooms, online discussions, VoIP, and FTP work
• Identify the rules of netiquette

The Internet

• The Internet is a global network linking businesses, governments, educational bodies, and individuals.
• Billions worldwide utilize the Internet for various services available on computers and mobile devices,
• Common services include web browsing, messaging, and video communication.
• Other services Internet services include chat rooms, discussion forums, and file transfer.
• The chapter begins with focusing on the history and workings of the Internet , then delves into specific services.

Evolution of the Internet

• The Internet's origins trace back to ARPA, a Department of Defense agency.
• ARPA built a network to allow researchers across different physical area to share information.
• The ARPANET became operational in September 1969, connecting academic and scientific researchers.
• The original ARPANET comprised four mainframe computers at UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, Stanford Research Institute, and the University of Utah.
• These computers acted as hosts, offering services and connections to other network computers.
• Hosts use high-speed data communication to transfer data and messages across networks.
• In 1984, ARPANET grew to over 1,000 individual hosts; now known as the Internet.

Internet Structure

• The Internet includes local, regional, national, and international networks.
• Networks are owned by both public and private entities, along with contributions from utilities and the government.
• The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) oversees Internet research and web standards
• W3C's goal is to promote continued web growth, with its 400 member organizations, advising, setting standards, and addressing related issues.

Connecting to the Internet

• Internet access can be attained through wired or wireless technologies through either free or paid plans.
• Wired connections requires a physical cable connection to a communication device that transmits data to the Internet.
• Wireless connections use built-in device wireless capabilities or external wireless modems for data transmission.
• An example of a wireless model in use is a dongle, which connects to a computer and adds extra functions.
• Broadband connections offer high-speed data transfer.
• Broadband service provides the ability to quickly download websites, play online games, and communicate in real time.

Broadband Technologies

• Cable Internet service uses a cable modem connected to a cable television network for high-speed internet access
• DSL provides high-speed internet connections through a telephone network via DSL modem.
• Wi-Fi utilizes radio signals for connections to computers and other WiFi connected devices.
• Mobile broadband provides connections via cellular networks using compatible devices that are 3G, 4G, or 5G.
• Fixed wireless uses a dish-shaped antenna to communicate with a tower location via radio signals.
• Satellite Internet service provides high-speed access via satellite dishes.

Public Wi-Fi Hot Spots

• Public locations can have Wi-Fi hot spots that wirelessly connect computers and devices to the Internet.
• Wi-Fi connections in coffee shops can come at a risk of cybercriminals gaining access to information.
• When using Public Wi-Fi networks, ensure the website is safe, typing passwords and Financial Information only when the website begins with "https".
• After using any websites, make sure to sign out.
• If there is no more need for the wireless connection, then disable it.
• Always stay with yout computer or device to ensure no opportunites for thieves.
• Beware of shoulder surfers who may watch or use your camera phone to record your keystrokes.

Hot Spot Usage

• Home and small business users can create local WiFi hot spots by connecting a communications device connected to broadband Internet.
• Tethering can transform smartphones or internet-capable devices into sharing with other wireless devices while on the go.
• Wifi hot spots have become common in businesses as a free service for travelers.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

• ISPs give you access to the Internet for a free or fixed rate
• Bandwidth is an amount of data which transmits across a network.
• Megabytes are approximately one million characters.
• Gigabytes are one billion characters.

Data Usage

• Basic email sends are several kilobytes
• Social media posts can be 10s of kilobytes
• Downloading music can be 1-10s of megabytes
• HD video and streaming can be multiple gigabytes per hour

Mobile Service Providers

• Many people are using mobile service providers, rather than finding a hot spot.
• Mobile service providers provide wireless data and Internet connection services for devices
• An antenna, either built-in or external, relays signals through the airwaves.

How Information Travels the Internet

• Internet data transfers relies on servers, clients, wired, and wireless media.
• Your device is a client that accesses server data.
• Wired media include phone lines, coax cable, and fiber optics.
• Wireless includes radio waves and satellite signals.
• The Internet's backbone works as a type of transportation system.
• Its transmission media exchange data from major cities across the country to the final destination.

IP Addresses

• An IP, is a numerical sequence that identifies computers and equipment connected to the web.

Domain Names

• The Internet uses IPv4 and IPv6 address schemes.
• IPv6 was created to exponentially increase available IP addresses as IPv4 dwindled in numbers.
• Instead of lengthy IP addresses, the Internet uses a domain name.
• A domain name is a text-based name that maps to the IP address of a server hosting a website.
• It is a familiar sight from browsers to access websites.

TLDs

• TLD refers to the suffix of the domain name, which identifies what type of organization.
• ICANN approves and controls TLDs.
• The suffix of the domain can be a country code, such as (.au) from Australia.

Domain Name Registration

• Use steps to register your domain through a registrar.
• When registering through a registrar, choose a memorably easy domain.
• It should be simple for other to remeber what you want to call you so visitors navigate to the website easily

Domain Name System (DNS)

• The domain system is a method that the Internet uses to store domain names.
• a DNS server translates the domain name to its associated IP address so that the request can be routed to the proper computer.

Cybersquatting

• Cybersquatters buy old or unused domain names, so that can profit by selling them.
• The ACPA's goal is meant to stop this malicious practice under law.

The World Wide Web

• The World Wide Web emerged as a user-friendly way to navigate information through the Internet
• WWW constitutes documents, web pages featuring text, graphics, animation, audio, and video.

Webpage states

• Static webpages display the same content
• Dynamic webpages generate content upon each viewing.
• Dynamic webpages incorporate customized details, stock figures, weather, or availability

Websites and Web Servers

• Websites are grouped of connected pages with linked items.
• Web servers share to devices webpages when requested.

Web 2.0

• Web 2.0 sites are introduced in the mid-2000s.
• Web 2.0 sites provide users a means of sharing, allows for changing of sites, or giving access via browsers.

Navigating

• Browsers let users to use a Internet connections to search webpages on devices.

Home page

• Some browsers have start pages that it goes upon opening.
• Start pages can be changed in user preferences in an options menu.
• Other "home pages" are referring to first pages that open when visiting a website.

Tabbed Browsing

• Modern browsers support multiple webpages that can be opened and switch to other through tapping.
• Browsers try to track online behavior, but also provide features for being able to control those habits.

Safe Browsing

• When browsing the web, vigilance will prevent hackers from taking advantage.
• Type in website addresses instead of clicking links, verify websites, and sharing is unrecommended, and clear out browsing history.

Blocking

• Internet ads can come as pop up ads or pop under ads , and can use blockers.
• Private browsing prevents the viewing of browsing history.
• Proxy servers can also be used to hide identity.

Browsers

• Browsers are applications meant for retrieving and displaying a webpage, varying in features and ease of use.
• Browsers include favorites options to improve experience with quick clicking to re-visits.
• Browsers include security features, such as secure and filter connections, to block sites and save passwords
• Privacy features help keep browsing information hidden.
• Operating systems often include particular browsers by default.

URL

• A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) refers to an address that designates a resource on the World Wide Web, along with the protocol
• The address that is specified in the above example refers to a directory called “history”, and the document within it called “places.htm”
• While some browsers let you drop the “http://” prefix, knowing the correct protocol is still important