Computer Basics

Connecting to the Internet

How do I connect to the Internet?

Once you've set up your computer, you'll probably want to get Internet access so you
can send and receive email, browse the Web, watch movies, and more. Before you can
access the Internet, there are three things you need: an Internet service, a modem, and
a web browser.

Choosing an Internet service

Which service is best for me?

It all depends on where you live and how much speed you need. Internet service
providers (ISPs) usually offer different levels of speed based on your needs. If you're
mainly using the Internet for email and social networking, a slower connection might be
all you need. However, if you want to download a lot of music or watch streaming
movies, you'll want a faster connection. You'll need to do some research to find out what
the options are in your area. Here are some common types of Internet service.

● Dial-up: Dial-up is generally the slowest type of Internet connection, and you should probably
avoid it unless it is the only service available in your area. Like a phone call, a  dial-up
modem will connect you to the Internet by dialing a number, and it will disconnect when you
are done surfing the Web. Unless you have multiple phone lines, you will not be able to use
your land line and the Internet at the same time with a dial-up connection.

● DSL: DSL service uses a broadband connection, which makes it much faster than dial-up.
However, it is unavailable in many locations, so you'll need to contact your local ISP for
information about your area. DSL connects to the Internet via phone line but does not
require you to have a land line at home. Unlike dial-up, it will always be on once its set up,
and you'll be able to use the Internet and your phone line simultaneously.

● Cable: Cable service connects to the Internet via cable TV, although you do not necessarily
need to have cable TV in order to get it. It uses a broadband connection and can be faster

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 than both dial-up and DSL service; however, it is only available in places where cable TV is
available.

● Satellite: A satellite connection uses broadband but does not require cable or phone lines; it
connects to the Internet through satellites orbiting the Earth. As a result, it can be used
almost anywhere in the world, but the connection may be affected by weather patterns. A
satellite connection also relays data on a delay, so it is not the best option for people who
use real-time applications, like gaming or video conferencing.

● 3G and 4G: 3G and 4G service is most commonly used with mobile phones and tablet
computers, and it connects wirelessly through your ISP's network. If you have a device that's
3G or 4G enabled, you'll be able to use it to access the Internet away from home, even when
there is no Wi-Fi connection. However, you may have to pay per device to use a 3G or 4G
connection, and it may not be as fast as DSL or cable.

Choosing an Internet service provider

Once you have decided which type of Internet access you're interested in, you can
determine which ISPs are available in your area that offer the type of Internet access you
want. Then you'll need to purchase Internet service from one of the available ISPs. Talk
to friends, family members, and neighbors to see which ISPs they use. Below are some
things to consider as you research ISPs:

● Speed
● Price
● Ease of installation
● Service record
● Technical support
● Contract terms

Although dial-up has traditionally been the least expensive option, many ISPs have

raised dial-up prices to be the same as broadband. This is intended to encourage
people to switch to broadband. Generally, you should only use dial-up if it's the only
option available.

Hardware needed

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Modem

Once you have your computer, you really don't need much additional hardware to
connect to the Internet. The primary piece of hardware you need is a modem.

The type of Internet access you choose will determine the type of modem you
need. Dial-up access uses a telephone modem, DSL service uses a DSL
modem, cable access uses a cable modem, and satellite service uses a satellite adapter.
Your ISP may give you a modem—often for a fee—when you sign a contract, which helps
ensure that you have the right kind of modem. However, if you would prefer to shop for
a better or less expensive modem, you can choose to buy one separately.

Router

A router is a hardware device that allows you to connect several computers and other

devices to a single Internet connection, which is known as a home network. Many
routers are wireless, allowing you to easily create a wireless network.

You don't necessarily need to buy a router to connect to the Internet. It's possible to
connect your computer directly to your modem using an Ethernet cable. Also, many

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 modems now include a built-in router, so you have the option of creating a network
without having to buy more hardware.

Most routers also act as a hardware firewall, which helps prevent others from
gaining access to your computer through the Internet.

Network card

A network card is a piece of hardware that allows computers to communicate over a

computer network. Most new computers have a network card built into the
motherboard, so it probably isn't something you'll need to purchase. The network card
will have an Ethernet port, a wireless connection, or both.

If you have a laptop with a wireless connection, you can access the Internet at any place
that offers a Wi-Fi connection. Many restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, hotels, and
other businesses offer free Wi-Fi. In addition, many cities provide free Wi-Fi in public
areas such as parks and downtown areas.

Web browsers

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 A web browser is the tool you use to access the Web. The browser's main job is
to display webpages. It also lets you create bookmarks—sometimes called Favorites—
for sites you like so you can easily find them again later.

The World Wide Web is a virtual network of websites connected

by hyperlinks (or links). Websites are stored on servers on the Internet, so the World
Wide Web is a part of the Internet.

Your computer probably came with a browser pre-installed. PCs come

with Internet Explorer, while Macs come with Safari. If you prefer to use a different
browser, you can download Firefox, Google Chrome, or Opera. All of these browsers
are free.

Setting up your Internet connection

Once you have chosen an ISP and purchased the appropriate modem, you can use the
instructions provided by your ISP—or included with the modem—to set up your Internet
connection. Depending on the type of service you have, your ISP may need to send a
technician to your house to turn on the connection.

After you have everything set up, you can open your web browser and begin using the
Internet. If you have any problems with your Internet connection, you can call your
ISP's technical support number.

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Home networking
If you have multiple computers at home and want to use all of them to access the
Internet, you'll probably want to create a home network. In a home network, all of your
devices connect to your router, which is connected to the modem. This means everyone
in your family can use the Internet at the same time, and you don't have to purchase a
separate Internet service for each computer.

How is a home network used?

Each computer on a network doesn't just connect to the Internet—it also connects to
the other computers and devices on the network. This means you can easily share
files with other computers. Some programs even let you stream music and movies from
one computer to another. One example of this is the Home Sharing feature in iTunes.
These types of features are easy to set up, but it's up to you whether you want to use
them.

Home networks aren't just for families! Even if you live alone, you may have multiple
devices that can connect to a network. Many phones, printers, MP3 players, video
game consoles, and digital video recorders (DVRs) are equipped with wireless cards
and often require very little setup to connect them to your home network.

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 Wireless security

A home network can be wired (using Ethernet cables) or wireless (using Wi-Fi). It may

also be a mixture of the two, with some devices connecting with Ethernet and others
connecting wirelessly. Wireless is generally more convenient; however, you'll need to
think about wireless security. Below are some important security terms you'll need to
know.

● SSID: A service set identifier, commonly called the SSID, is the name of a wireless network. You
should change the default SSID to something unique that you'll remember. You may not
want to use your actual name, but you can use a hobby or other interest
(like rockclimbing1).

● Encryption password: An encryption password is a series of characters that is used to control

access to the network. For even greater security, some people use a passphrase, which is
longer—and therefore more secure—than a password. You should choose a password or
passphrase that's easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.

● Encryption: Encryption prevents unauthorized users from reading data that is transmitted over
your wireless network. The data is coded into an unreadable form, and it can only
be decoded by a computer that has the correct password or passphrase. The most common
types of encryption for wireless networks are WPA (Wi-Fi protected access) and WPA2.

Although it's possible to create a wireless network that doesn't have a password, it
is very risky. You should always create a password or passphrase to protect it from
unauthorized access.

Setting up a home network

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 Before you set up your home network, you'll need to have a working Internet
connection. The exact process of creating a network will vary depending on the type of
computer you have, as well as what type of Internet service you have. You should use
the instructions provided by your ISP (or the ones included with your router) when
setting up your network. The following steps will give you an idea of what to expect.

1. If you have a separate router, connect it to the modem, and make sure it has power
through the power adapter. If you have a combined router and modem, you won't have
to do this.
2. Connect all non-wireless devices to your router using Ethernet cables. You may also need
to connect your computer to the router until setup is complete, even if your computer
has a wireless card.
3. From your computer, you will need to create the SSID and password or passphrase for
your router. You now have a wireless network that you can begin connecting wireless
devices to.
4. On each wireless device, you will need to go to your network settings and select the
name (SSID) of the network you just created. You will then be prompted to type your
password.
At this point, your home network setup is complete. If your network isn't working, the
instructions from your ISP should include some troubleshooting tips. You can also call
your ISP's technical support number if you're still having trouble.

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