Network: Benefits, Internet Security, Internet Abuse, Intranet & Extranet
Benefits of Networking
- It allows file sharing and remote access.
- Sharing resources such as printers, fax machine etc.
- Provides high speed for sharing and transferring.
- Networking provides security such as password.
- Provides centralized software management
- Provides internet access sharing.
INTERNET
The Origins of the internet dates back to1960s when the United State funded research projects of its military agencies to build robust, fault-tolerant and distributed computer network.
The internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide.
It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope that are linked by a broad array of electronic and optical networking technologies.
The internet carries a vast array of information resources and services, most notably the interlinked hypertext documents of the World Wide Web (www) and the infrastructure to support electronic mail. One of the simplest definitions of internet is that it is a collection of computers linked together.
BASIC TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERNET
Gopher: enable you to access other computer on the internet.
Browse: This is a term used to refer to the process of accessing and viewing web pages on the internet.
Browser: A browser is also called a web browser. It is a software application that is used to access and view web pages in the internet. Most browsers can be used to send and receive email, connect to web based email services and read newsgroup.
Some popular browsers are: Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, Chrome, Mozilla etc.
Chart rooms: These are virtual communication platforms where many people keep in contact with family, friends and classmates. Some websites that have chart rooms are Yahoo, AOL, MSN, Google etc. Some chart rooms allows the use of webcam to view each other and communication of emotions using chart emoticons.
Cyber Space: This term is used to describe internet networks and the www.
Download: This is a process of retrieving information from the internet onto a personal computer. A user can download files, music, software or games onto a personal computer.
Electronic mail (E-mail): A mail that is sent and received through the internet is called an e-mail. For a user to send and receive message on the internet he/she must have an email address. Example of an e-mail address is robert_egbe@yahoo.com.
Home Page: This is the start page of any website. It refers to the initial or main page of a website that loads when a user specifies the URL of a website in a web browser.
HTML: HTML a short for Hyper Text Mark-up Language is a computer language with some sets of markup symbols and codes that are used for building websites.
Protocol: It is the standard or set of rules by which computers communicate over the network.
Web Page: A web page is a html document or resources of information in a website that is presented as a page.
HTTP: HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. It is the protocol for transferring web pages in the web.
ISP: Internet Service Protocol is a company that provides individuals and companies access to the internet. Examples of ISPs in Nigeria are: IPNX, Linkserve Limited, Cobranet Limited, Swift Networks Limited, etc.
Upload: This term refers to the process of transmitting a file from a local computer onto the internet. It is the opposite of download.
Website: A website is a collection of web pages that are related to an entity, activity or event. The beginning page of a website is called the Home page.
Some examples of websites are:
Information Technology Organizations
HIV/AIDS control Organizations
Examination Bodies
Drug Control Agencies
Individual Website
INTERNET BROWSER
The common internet browsers are:
- Internet Explorer
- Firefox
- Opera
- Netscape Navigator
- Google Chrome
- Maxthon Browser
- Rocketmelt Browser
- SeaMonkey Browser
- Deepnet Explorer
- Safari Browser
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is a graphical web browser developed by Microsoft.
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser managed by Mozilla Corporation. Firefox is one of the widely used browsers.
Opera
The opera browser is a web browser developed by opera software. It is smallest and fastest browser in the world.
Netscape Navigator
Netscape Navigator browser is a product of the Netscape Communication Corporation.
FEATURES OF BROWSER
The common features of the main browser are:
Title Bar
The title bar is at the very top of the browser windows. In both Firefox and Internet Explorer web browser is normally seen on the blue bar at the top. The title of the web page is displayed on the title bar.
Menu Bar
The menu bar contains menus such as File, Edit, View, History, etc. it is the bar underneath the title bar.
Tool Bar
The toolbar and its icon are displayed at the top of the browser windows underneath the menu bar. This is where the Back button, the Home button, the Refresh button, etc are found.
Address Bar
The address bar is the box at the top of the browser windows that displays the entire URL or website address.
BENEFITS OF INTERNET TO THE SOCIETY
The internet plays a major role in the society in the following application areas:
- Education/E-learning: With the internet, people can get educational materials and read them in preparation for examinations, or use them for school assignments. The internet also enhances electronic learning whereby courses or subjects are taught online using audio and, or visual material.
- E- Registration: The internet provides users with facilities for online registration of examinations like WAEC, NECO and JAMB.
- Entertainment: The internet kills boredom and enhances leisure by providing its users with latest entertainment in the form of movies, games, news, and many more.
- Communication: This is one of the key benefits of the internet. The internet provide many means by which users can communicates with friends, family, colleagues, and more through emails and other social sites like facebook, yahoo massager, 2go, twitter etc.
- E-Banking: The internet can be used as a tool to carry out transactions with banks irrespective of user’s location.
- E-Commerce: Internet is also a tool for E-commerce. It allows users to buy and sell their goods and services online regardless of their location.
INTERNET SECURITY
Internet security is the practice of protection and preserving private resources and information on the internet. It is a protection to your personal computer from any harmful and malicious spyware.
Its objective is to establish rules and measures to use against attacks over the internet. Different methods have been used to protect the transfer of data including, encryption, use of antivirus software, using firewall, use of passwords that are not disclose to unauthorized users etc.
ABUSE OF INTERNET
Internet abuse is the inappropriate usage of the internet. Below are some of the common internet abuse:
1. Computer crime: A computer crime is any unlawful activity that is done using a computer. This definition can extend to traditional crimes that are committed with the machine, such as counterfeiting money, but it also includes more tech–savvy crimes, such as phishing or logic bombs use of computers in criminal activity.
2. Cyber-bulling: Is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person.
3. Spam: Unsolicited e-mail often of a commercial nature.
4. Malware: These are software programs designed to harm a user’s computer, including computer viruses. Malware is short for malicious software, which includes computer viruses, worms, Trojans, adware, spyware, crime ware, scar ware, rootkits, etc.
Communication Channel /Media
There are kinds of channels/ media used to transmit data. Transmission media are physical paths for carrying information like, a pair of wire. These are telephone lines, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, microwaves and satellite.
Intranet: This is a private network within an organization that resembles the internet.
Extranet: It is a private network that connect more than one organization. It is actually intranet that is partially accessible to authorized outsiders.
EVALUATION
- Define Networking.
- State four benefits of Networking.
- Differentiate between intranet and extranet.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Understanding Data Processing for senior secondary schoolsby Dinehin Victoria pages 283 – 287
ASSIGNMENT
- One of the disadvantages of hierarchical network is that it depends heavily on the hub and its failure affects the entire system. (a) entire system (b) part of the system (c) single system (d) partial system.
- One of the following is a communication medium. (a) coaxial cable (b) book (c) typewriter (c) windows (d) episode.
- This is a term used to refer to the process of accessing and viewing web pages on the internet is called (a)Browse:
- is a private network within an organization that resembles the internet. (a) internet (b) Intranet (c) WAN (d) server
- The internet provides users with facilities for online ………. of examinations like WAEC, NECO and JAMB (a)learning (b) registration (c) commerce (d) banking
Theory
- Define Networking.
- State four benefits of Networking.
- Differentiate between intranet and extranet
See also:
Computer Networks: Types, Topologies, and Benefits
What is a Distributed Database? Definition, Types, and Architecture Explained
Parallel Databases: Architecture, Advantages, and Implementation
Crash Recovery in Databases: Definition, Phases, and ARIES Explained
Samuel Okeke is a highly experienced and skilled Website Developer, Computer Lecturer, IT Instructor, Digital Marketing Expert, Computer Engineer, and Author with over a decade of experience in the educational, digital marketing and IT sectors. He has proven track records of developing and sustaining successful educational projects, including Acadlly, Audio School, and Certifications Exam Prep. He possess a strong passion for education and a commitment to making a positive impact on people and society.
