Seniors Guide To The Internet
What is the Internet?
The Internet, also known as "the net," is a worldwide system of computer networks in which users at any one computer can get data from any other computer. The original aim was to create a network that would allow users of a computer at one university to be able to communicate with computers at other universities. A side benefit of this design was that, because information is sent along different routes that always change, the Internet could continue to function even if parts of it were destroyed in the event of a military attack or other disaster. Luckily, we've never had to test if it works. Today, the Internet is self-sustaining and is used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The most widely used part of the Internet is called the World Wide Web ("the Web"). On the web, you have access to billions of pages of information. Web browsing is done with a software program called a web browser (catchy name!). Currently, the most popular web browsers are Microsoft Inter net Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. By the way, all of these browsers are absolutely free. Depending on your connection speed, browsers can support such advanced features as animation, video, sound, and music.
How Do I Connect to the Internet?
The best type of connection to the Internet is a broadband connection. It offers the highest transmission speed which is essential if you want the best Internet experience. Cable and DSL service both provide broadband speeds. Cable provides speed twice that of DSL but DSL is more secure.
Broadband service provides high speed data transmission. It also allows more content to be carried through the transmission pathway. Broadband provides access to the highest quality Internet services: streaming media, Internet phone, gaming, and interactive services. Many of these services require the transfer of large amounts of data that may not be technically feasible with telephone dial-up service. Today, broadband service is necessary to access the full range of services and opportunities that the Internet can offer. Broadband service is always on. It does not block telephone lines and there is no need to disconnect from the Internet network when not in use.Wireless broadband, also known as "Wi-Fi", is the ability to connect to the Internet without the use of wires or cables. The most common way of accessing wireless broadband is via a wireless router attached to an ISP's (Internet Service Provider) modem.
1. Using a cable modem
A cable modem is a device that connects your computer to the Internet via a local cable TV line so you can send and receive data at high speeds also referred to as broadband speeds. Cable modems are usually included as part of the cable access service.
a. Sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), usually your local cable TV company. The cable company will dispatch a field technician to come to your home to install a cable modem.b. The technician will connect a cable from a cable TV jack to the cable modem.c. Then the technician will connect an "Ethernet" cable from the cable modem to the "Ethernet" port on your computer. "Ethernet" is the most popular type of local area network (LAN) technology.d. Power on the cable modem and computer.e. A cable connection is less secure than other broadband connections, such as DSL, because you are sharing your cable connection with others in your community. In addition, the cable connection is always on. The Windows Firewall will help prevent intruders from accessing your computer.f. Open your Internet browser to begin browsing the Internet.
2. Using a DSL modem
A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) uses technology that provides digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. DSL does not interfere with the use of your standard telephone service. Once you log on to your DSL service, it will stay on until you shut down or restart your computer.
a. Subscribe to a high-speed, or broadband, DSL service. A technician will connect a modem to your phone line. This connection is what allows the DSL signal to be received by the modem, and transmitted to your computer. b. The other end of the cable will be connected to your computer.c. Power on the DSL modem and computer. d. Open your Internet browser to begin browsing the Internet.
3. Using a Router (hardware firewall)A hardware firewall is a device that is connected between the Internet and your cable or DSL modem, protecting your computer from dangerous intruders. In other words, your computer is connected to the router (hardware firewall) instead of your cable or DSL modem.The best protection available from Internet attacks is a hardware firewall. They are inexpensive so I strongly recommend installing one. Broadband routers serve as powerful hardware firewalls. They should be considered an important part of your system and network set-up, especially for anyone on a broadband connection.
A router is a device that provides access to the Internet for multiple computers, printers, and other devices. It typically includes four or more Ethernet ports for wired connections to desktop and laptop computers. They can also be configured to transmit signals for wireless ("Wi-Fi") devices.A router acts as a firewall by masking the true internet address of your computer from the outside world. Only those web pages that you specifically request are allowed to pass through the router to your computer. Data that you did not request is blocked which helps to keep your system safe from intruders. Think of it as your front door with that little peephole. Somebody knocks and you look through the peephole to see who it is. If it's your friend who you invited over, you open the door and let him in ("wassup dude!"). If it's someone who's arriving uninvited, they are turned away. (I wonder if a router would block my mother-in-law).
4. Standard telephone line modemNot recommended at all. The slowest of all Internet connections. It will not deliver the full potential of what the Internet has to offer.
What's a Link?
On all websites, certain words or phrases appear in text of a different color than the rest and sometimes also underlined. When you point to one of these words or phrases by clicking the left button of your mouse, you will be transferred to the page that is associated with this word or phrase. These are called hyperlinks or links. Sometimes there are buttons, images, or portions of images that can be "clicked". If you move the pointer over a spot on a web site and the pointer changes into a hand, this indicates that you can click on it and be transferred to another site.
What's a Web Browser?
Microsoft Internet ExplorerInternet Explorer is the most widely used web browser. That isn't because it's the best (which it isn't). It's because it comes already installed with every version of Windows and most people don't bother to change it. Internet Explorer version 7.0 suffered more malware attacks than any other browser. Internet Explorer uses technology known as ActiveX Controls which continues to make it extremely vulnerable to attacks.
An ActiveX control is a web-based program using certain Microsoft technologies. They are controversial because they are downloaded automatically and executed by the web browser.
This is the major reason that Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome, which do not support ActiveX controls, are more secure browsers. In addition, Internet Explorer has page rendering problems that causes some web pages to display incorrectly. Performance is faster in the most recent version (9.0) than past versions but is still slower than the other browsers.
Keep Internet Explorer installed on your computer (certain Microsoft services, like Windows Update, require Internet Explorer to function correctly) but use Firefox or Chrome.
Mozilla FirefoxFirefox keeps you more secure when you're browsing the web, protecting against spyware, worms, and viruses. As mentioned earlier, it does not support ActiveX controls because ActiveX controls are vulnerable to viruses and spyware. Firefox delivers easier navigation, including those who are visually or motor-impaired. Firefox is the first browser to meet U.S. federal government requirements that software be easily accessible to users with physical impairments.
You can select new controls for your toolbars and change the look of your browser with themes. There are also hundreds of free extensions you can install to add features such as ad blocking, extended tab controls, pop-up blockers, text resizers, and password managers. Firefox is my favorite web browser.
Google ChromeThe Google Chrome web browser is the third most popular browser used today right behind Internet Explorer (#1) and Firefox (#2). Chrome is designed to be fast. It's quick to start up, loads web pages quickly, and runs web applications fast. Chrome's browser window is streamlined, clean, and simple. Chrome also includes features that are designed for ease of use. For example, you can search and navigate from the same box, and arrange tabs however you wish. Chrome is designed to keep you secure on the web with built-in malware protection, and automatic updates to make sure the browser is current with the latest security updates, and more. Chrome has many useful features built in, including translation in the browser, extensions, themes, and more.Chrome is an excellent web browser. I highly recommend it.
Bookmarks and Favorites
Internet Explorer calls them "favorites" (just to be different from everybody else). Favorites are links to your favorite websites that you wish to save for future use. Creating a favorite in Internet Explorer can be done several in different ways. 1. Right-click on a blank portion of the page and click "Add to Favorites".2. Browse to the website you wish to add to your Favorites. At the top of the browser window click "Favorites". Click "Add to Favorites".When one of these steps has been completed an "Add Favorite" window will appear and then you can add your favorite to your favorites list. You can even create different folders (highly recommended) for your Favorites.
Firefox and ChromeCreating bookmarks in Firefox and Chrome are similar and can also be done in several different ways.1. In the address bar, there is a star on the right side. If you click on it, you can bookmark the page.2. Right-click on a blank portion of the page you wish to bookmark and click "Bookmark This Page" or press Ctrl + D. This only applies to Firefox.3. Browse to the website you wish to bookmark. At the top of the browser window click "Bookmarks". Click "Bookmark This Page". This only applies to Firefox.When these steps have been completed an "Add Bookmark" window will appear. Specify the location where you want to save the bookmark. To create a new folder, click the "New Folder" button. I use a lot of folders such as Shopping, Music, Movies, Computers, Finance, Health, Food, Travel, etc. on my browser. I have over 3,000 bookmarks and I can find any one of them quickly and easily (I know - I should get a life!).
So go forth and experience all the wonder that is the World Wide Web.
Surf safely! Surf often!
access point vs router
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