How the Internet works
Published: 2023-11-06 19:41:03

Have you ever pondered about the workings of the internet? How is it possible to transmit information between two distinct computers? How can individuals connect with others across the world? Why are some website connections slow while others are fast? If these questions trigger your curiosity, then you have come to the right place to gain a basic understanding of these concepts. In just a few minutes, you will be equipped to contribute to conversations on this topic. Let's get to it;

To begin, let us define the internet. It is a network of networks. Before delving further, it is worth noting that computers within the same local area network (LAN) can communicate with each other. This communication is facilitated by the help of a SWITCH, which enables the exchange of messages, or packets in computer terms. However, HOW DO THESE COMPUTERS CONNECT TO THE THE INTERNET? This is where routers come into play. Routers are electronic devices that allow computers to connect to the internet. They are connected to an internet service provider (ISP) cable, enabling the transmission and reception of messages from the internet. The internet consists of millions of routers, connecting numerous LANs worldwide, thereby facilitating the sending of packets between countries. For instance, if you wish to watch a video on a popular website like YouTube, your computer sends a packet to the YouTube server, which then sends the video back to you. Thus, connecting to the internet entails sending and receiving of packets.

WHY ARE SOME WEBSITE CONNECTIONS SLOW? This can be attributed to the  volume of people sending packets to the same server simultaneously. Conversely, certain websites are exceptionally fast. WHY IS IT SO? this is due to the presence of distributed servers worldwide. Companies like YouTube have servers placed globally, allowing the internet to connect users to the server that best suits their location. Consequently, millions of people worldwide can access these websites at high speeds.

With all that have been said so far you'll notice that the Internet is a public network.Considering the public nature of the internet, one may wonder about the safety of transmitting sensitive information, imagine you perform a transaction on Jumia and had to enter your account details to pay. IS IT SECURE? The answer is both YES and NO. While the internet is a public network that can potentially expose and modify packets, many companies employ end-to-end encryption between users' computers and their servers. This encryption ensures that only the intended destination can decrypt the message, preventing outsiders from accessing personal details. However, it is important to note that no system is entirely secure, as vulnerabilities exist in every system.

In summary, the internet is an extensive network of interconnected computers that enables global communication and information sharing. When you send a message or access a website, your computer connects to a server, which routes(directs) the information to its intended destination. This process, known as the data transmission path. 
It's an incredibly complex system, but it all comes down to a simple idea: "connecting people and computers from all over the world."