How the internet works

So...what is the internet?

Think of the internet as a giant network of computers all connected together. It's like a huge web that allows computers all around the world to communicate with each other.

When you want to access the internet, you use a device like a computer, smartphone, or tablet. This device is connected to your internet service provider (ISP), for example Telstra or Optus, which is like a gateway that connects you to the rest of the internet.

When you open a web browser, like Google Chrome or Safari, and type in a website address, something magical happens behind the scenes. The website address is actually a unique combination of numbers called an IP address, but we use names like www.example.com because it is easier to remember than a sequence of numbers and dots.

When you search a website adress, your device sends a request to your ISP, asking to connect to the website you want to visit. The request travels through a series of connections, which can include cables, satellites, and other networking equipment. Eventually, your request reaches the server that hosts the website you want to visit. A server is just a powerful computer that stores and delivers web pages. The server receives your request and sends back the information you asked for. This information is usually in the form of web pages that your browser can understand.

The data travels back to your device through the same network of connections, and your browser takes that data and displays it as a webpage on your screen. You can see images, text, videos, and interact with the website.

This process happens incredibly quickly, and all these steps take place behind the scenes so that you can access information and communicate with people around the world in just a few clicks. It's a complex system, but at its core, it's all about connecting computers to other computers, and exchanging information.