Internet Services and Safety

Internet Services and Safety

• This chapter deals with the Internet and its uses, how to connect to it, various Internet services, searching information, and protecting against online identity theft.

Internet

• The Internet, also called the Net, is a massive network linking millions/trillions of computers globally, serving as a research tool for global information and instant communication.
• More than one billion users access various Internet services worldwide.
• The World Wide Web and E-mail are among the most widely used internet services.
• Use of the internet includes sending messages, meeting friends, banking, investing, shopping, filing taxes, playing games, listening to music, or watching movies and is accessible anywhere.

Uses of Internet

• Research: The Internet provides access information on any subject, making it a valuable research tool.
• E-mail (electronic mail): The fastest way to send/receive messages from one computer to another.
• Entertainment: The Internet offers various forms of entertainment, like radio/television broadcasts, videos, and music.
• Software Programs: Numerous downloadable software programs are available, including word processors, drawing programs, games, and accounting programs.
• Buy and Sell: Users can easily buy/sell products online from home.
• Chat: Users can exchange typed messages with others online.
• Social Networking: Users can join social networking groups to meet people with similar interests globally.
• Online Games: Various types of online games are available.

Ways to Connect to the Internet

• There are two primary ways to connect to the Internet: Dial-up and Broadband connections.
• Dial-up: A slower connection used by some for its lower cost.
• Broadband: A high-speed connection used by others.

Dial-up Connection

• A slow-speed Internet connection using a computer, dial-up modem, and telephone line to connect to an ISP (Internet Service Provider), which provides an easy and inexpensive way for users to connect.
• Popular ISPs include VSNL, MTNL, BSNL, and Airtel.

Dial-up Modems

• A dial-up modem is a communication device connecting computers to a telephone line for Internet access, with speed measured in kbps (kilobits per second).
• "Modem" comes from the combination of "modulate" (convert a digital signal to analog) and "demodulate" (convert analog signal to digital).
• Both ends of a communication channel require a modem for data transmission.
• There are two types of dial-up modems: external and internal.
• external Modem: A small box using a cable to connect with a computer.
• internal modem: An adapter card inserted into a computer's motherboard expansion slot.

Broadband Connection

• a high-speed technology, provides a constant connection when the computer is powered on, enabling fast web page downloads, online gaming, and real-time communication.

• This service is available through wired or wireless connections.

• Broadband Internet services include:

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): High-speed using regular phone lines.

• Fiber to the Premises (FTTP): Fiber-optic cable access for homes and businesses.

• Cable Internet service: connection via the cable television network using a cable modem.

• Additional broadband options:

  • Fixed wireless: High-speed using a dish antenna communicating with a tower via radio signals.
  • Cellular radio network: High-speed for devices with compatible tech/wireless modems.
  • Satellite Internet service: High-speed via satellite to a satellite dish with a satellite modem.
  • Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) network: Radio signals connect wireless computers/devices.

Wireless Internet Access

• Computers connect/transfer data globally using wired and wireless transmission.
• Wireless refers to electrical/electronic operations without wired connections.
• Wireless communication transfers information over a distance without electrical conductors/wires. Wireless modems are used for internet access without phone lines or physical connections.
• Wi-Fi: Wireless networks for connecting to the Internet or other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, broadcasting radio waves receivable by Wi-Fi receivers.
• wireless modem: A wireless modem, also known as dongle, uses wireless communication technology (cellular radio, satellite or Wi-Fi) to connect to the Internet, connecting to a computer and enabling internet access when attached.
• Hotspot: Wireless networks providing Internet access to mobile devices in public locations like malls, cafes, and hotels, often with unrestricted access but sometimes requiring a password.
• Personal Wi-Fi hotspots can be created via routers connected to broadband service.
• Mobile hotspots can be created through tethering, which shares a smartphone’s internet access wirelessly.

Services of the Internet

• Offers services sharing photos, web apps via cloud storage, social networking, blogging, virtual meetings via video conferencing, e-commerce, e-banking, and information searches.

Sharing Photos on the Web

• Users can share digital photos after registering on photo sharing sites, allowing uploading, viewing, rating, tagging, and commenting.
• Storage space is an important site consideration.
• Free accounts offer basic storage; paid accounts (upgrades) offer more.
  • Flickr. This website enables photo editing, album organization, card/book creation, and viewing control.
  • Google Photos: Another example of a photo sharing website.

Web Application

• Application stored on a web server and accessed through a browser, interacting directly on a website (the host).
• Web app hosts typically provide storage for data/information on cloud storage.
• Many hosts provide free access to software, while some offer part of the app free and charge for comprehensive services (Google Docs Editors).
• Web app: This is an application stored on a web server that you access through a browser.

E-banking

• (Electronic banking) is a service allowing customers to perform banking transactions electronically without personally visiting the bank, known as e-banking.
• The bank has a web-enabled centralized database allowing 24/7 access to banking information.

Remote Services

• TeamViewer and AnyDesk allow remote desktop control with file sharing between computers, connecting PCs as if sitting in front of them, compatible with multiple platforms.

Social Networking

• Social networking enables connecting with others sharing personal/professional interests.
• Members connect as friends or friends of friends, involving understanding what such networking entails.
• The main function is to track the lives of friends, family, and colleagues, especially those not seen regularly.
• Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are popular social networking sites.

LinkedIn

• It connects professionals globally, aiming to provide exposure, productivity, job opportunities, and recommendations.

Blogging

• An exciting medium for publishing ideas, opinions, and stories online, with millions of blogs (Weblogs) available.
• A blog is a regularly updated website focusing on specific subjects, although many are personal. Entries on blogs are called posts, and publishing is called posting.
• A person maintaining multiple blogs is a blogger.
• Many blogs feature the person writing the blog as their subject
• Blogger platforms include Blogger, TypePad, and wix.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

• FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an Internet standard for uploading/downloading files.
  • Uploading transfers files from a computer to a server.
  • Downloading transfers files from a server to a computer.
• An FTP server allows users to upload/download files.
• Web page developers often use FTP to upload web pages to a web server.
• FileZilla is an example of an FTP service.

Video Conferencing

• Video conferencing is live meetings for geographically separated people via network/Internet to transmit audio/video data.
• The requirements include video conferencing software, a multimedia computer, a microphone, and a video camera.
• Speakers allow members to hear each other.
• The video camera shows participants in a window.
• Zoom and Skype are examples of video conferencing apps.

E-commerce

• (Electronic commerce) is a financial transaction over an electronic network for anyone with a computer/device, Internet, and payment method, involving online shopping with thousands of devoted websites
• Consumers use e-commerce for shopping, auctions, finance, travel, entertainment, and health.

Three types of e-commerce:

• Business-to-Consumer (B2C): Selling goods/services to the general public (shopping websites).
• Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C): Direct sales between consumers (online auctions).
• Business-to-Business (B2B): Businesses providing goods/services to others (online advertising, recruiting)
• Examples: Amazon, Flipkart, and Alibaba.

Message Apps

• WhatsApp is a mobile messaging app for smartphones using Internet connection.
  • It send/receives messages, calls, photos, videos, and voice messages, supporting group chats/videos and connection with contacts, both on mobile and computer.
  • Telegram offers similar functionality and security.

Searching Information on the Internet

• The Internet is a global information resource.
• People commonly use the Internet to find specific information (text, pictures, music, and videos), utilizing it as a search tool.
• Two types of search tools: search engines and subject directories.

Search engine:

• A program for finding websites, web pages, images, videos, news, maps, and other information.

Subject directory:

• Classifies web pages into categories or groups like sports/shopping, and related sub-categories.

• Some websites provide both search engine and subject directory functionality.

• Search Engine: Software helping to find websites, pages, and files.

  • It locates web pages on particular topics or specific pages when the exact URL is unknown.
  • Search engines require a “search text” describing the information sought.
  • To do their job well, search engines use programs called a “spider.” also called crawler or bot, a spider reads pages on websites in order to create a list or index of hits.
  • Each hit links to a website or page.

• Search engines sequence the hits based on how close the words in the search text are to one another.

• Some web browsers feature an Instant Search box, which uses a predefined search engine.

Search Techniques

• Enter phrases, spaces between words; most search engines display results that include all the words.
• Techniques to improve searches
  • Use specific nouns and place the most important terms first.
  • Use quotation marks for exact phrases.
  • List possible spellings.
  • Try another search engine if results are unsatisfactory.

Subject Directory

• Provides a subject-categorized link list, allowing topic location by clicking through levels from general to specific until a satisfying web page is found.

Popular Search Engines

• Google: Fast, comprehensive, top source.
• Bing: Focuses on organizing information quickly.
• Yahoo!: Oldest web directory with websites organized to find relevant information. It is the oldest web directory and has editors organizing information into categories.
• Dogpile: Results combined across many search engines.
• Ask Jeeves: Crawler-based results.
• Lycos: Evolved from early search engine into social media network.

Ethical Internet Use

• Understand what could be perceived unsafe.
• Respect privacy.
• Be trustworthy.
• Be forgiving.

Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft

• Internet's dark side requires protection from information loss/damage. The fastest growing online crime is “identity theft,” where personal data is stolen/misused.
• Cybercrime: Online/Internet-based fraudulent acts (malware, identity theft).
• The important idea is to be careful, and realize people online are not always sincere.

Techniques to Prevent Personal Data Theft

• Secure 'https' web addresses when entering confidential information.
• Use strong passwords to secure Wi-Fi connections.
• Apply two-factor authentication as an extra safety measure for all online accounts.
• Use a unique passphrase combining upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters to protect a PC and all accounts.
• Avoid free/open Wi-Fi and hotspots.
• Avoid using public computers for banking/email, as they may run keyloggers.
• Log out of password-protected sites and clear browser cache on public computers.
• Never use personal details while playing online games.
• Clear/disable web cookies in your browser.
• Install/update personal firewalls and antivirus software.
• Create strong, secret passwords for all online accounts.
• Shred personal/financial documents before discarding.
• If identity/passwords are compromised, change passwords immediately.
• Report disclosed debit/credit card details/OTP to the bank/cyber safety cell.