The Internet and Security 

By: subhash

The Internet is the worldwide, publicly accessible network of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It is a "network of networks" that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which together carry various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, file transfer, and the interlinked Web pages and other documents of the World Wide Web.

The Internet and the World Wide Web are not synonymous, the Internet is a collection of interconnected computer networks, linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless connections, etc.The Web is a collection of interconnected documents and other resources, linked by hyperlinks and URLs. The World Wide Web is accessible via the Internet, as are many other services including e-mail, file sharing, and others.

The Internet 'Ls technological success depends on its principal communication tools, the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP). They are referred to frequently as TCP/IP. A protocol is an agreed-upon set of conventions that defines the rules of communication. TCP breaks down and reassembles packets, whereas IP is responsible for ensuring that the packets are sent to the right destination.

Internet security: There are some important devices (hardware/Software) on how to make sure you can be safe on the Internet and how to keep computer viruses, malware, and other unwanted software off your computer.

Firewalls: A firewall allows or blocks traffic into and out of a private network or the user's computer. Firewalls are widely used to give users secure access to the Internet as well as to separate a company's public Web server from its internal network. Firewalls are also used to keep internal network segments secure for example; the accounting network might be vulnerable to snooping from within the enterprise.

Routers: A network device that forwards packets from one network to another. Based on internal routing tables, routers read each incoming packet and decide how to forward it. The destination address in the packets determines which interface on the router outgoing packets are directed to. In large-scale enterprise routers, the current traffic load, congestion, line costs and other factors determine which outgoing line to forward to.

Anti-spyware: Software that sends information about your Web surfing habits to its Web site. Often quickly installed in your computer in combination with a free download you selected from the Web, spyware transmits information in the background as you move around the Web. Also known as "parasite software.

Anti-virus: Software that monitors a computer for Viruses by looking for irregularities in a computer system and then comparing its findings to a database of virus information. It is important to update virus definitions or signatures regularly and upgrade the software periodically to protect against newly created viruses. Find more about Internet Security visit www.halfvalue.com and www.halfvalue.co.uk Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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