INFS 211: Introduction to Information Technology

1. INFS 211:Introduction to Information Technology Lecturer: Dr. Ebenezer Ankrah, Dept. of Information Studies Contact Information: eankrah@ug.edu.gh Session 5 – The Internet

2. Session Overview It is hard to image life without the Internet. We use the Internet to shop, communicate, research, find places and directions. It’s accessible from our computers or cell phones and can be accessed while at home, at work and at school. But what exactly is the internet and how it began? This session explains the origin and the major uses of the Internet.

3. Session Overview • At the end of the session, the student will • Be able to explain the origin of the Internet • Understand the major advantages and disadvantages of the Internet. • Understand the role of Internet Service Providers (ISP) • Be able to manage their spam effectively.

4. Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: • The origin of the Internet • Advantages of the Internet • Major uses of the Internet • Managing spam

5. Reading List http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-disadvantages-internet.html http://www.infojug.com/computer-articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-the-internet.html http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2013/06/top-10-uses-of-internet-2690290.html http://top-10-list.org/2013/06/22/top-10-uses-of-internet/2

6. Reading List Alan, E., Kendall, M., & Poatsy, M. A. (2015). Technology In Action Complete (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River: New Jersy. Prentice Hall. (Chapter 3) Williams, B. K., & Sawyer, S. C. (2014). Using Information Technology: A practical introduction to computers and communications (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. (Chapter 2)

7. Topic One THE ORIGIN OF THE INTERNET

8. The origin of the Internet The Internet is a physical global collection of networks. These are normally made up of satellites, wires and cables that link individuals, businesses, educational institutions government agencies and non-governmental organisations. The Internet can be explained as a network of computers, designed to receive and send data in the form of e-mails, blogs, webcasts, etc. To put it simply, it can be likened to a super-massive server, armed with a plethora of information which is used by billions of people simultaneously. The Internet is basically a network that connects other, smaller networks.

9. The origin of the Internet The United States of America (USA) government in an attempt to coordinate the efforts of its research laboratories created a network to link the laboratories in September 1969 called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network).

10. The origin of the Internet Initially, it was to allow researchers working on military projects to share information and to enable them function even if part(s) of it came under attack or destroyed by a natural disaster. Researchers used the network to deliver electronic mail (E-mail) enabling them to share research information from one researcher to the other. As a result of the high-speed connection that it provides, its growth has been so phenomenal that by 1984, there were 1000 host computers connected in the network.

11. The origin of the Internet Another stimuli for rapid growth occurred in 1986, when the National Science Foundation (NSF) connected its huge network of five supercomputer centres, called NSFnet, to ARPANET. This configuration of complex networks and hosts became known as the Internet. Until1995, NSFnet handled the bulk of the communications activity, or traffic, on the Internet.

12. The origin of the Internet In 1995, NSFnet terminated its network on the Internet and resumed its status as a research network. Today, the Internet consists of many local, regional, national, and international networks. Numerous corporations, commercial firms, and other companies provide networks to handle the Internet traffic.

13. The origin of the Internet • The major characteristics of the Internet are: • Open – the Internet is unregulated and is available to everybody. • Un trusted – anybody can put any information on it. This makes the contents unreliable or unauthenticated. • Global – The Internet has a global reach and is operative 24 hours a day, 365 days in a year. • Inexpensive – Access to the Internet is relatively cheap.

14. Topic Two The ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE INTERNET

15. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet Internet has been perhaps the most outstanding innovation in the field of communication in the history of mankind. As with every single innovation, internet has its own advantages and disadvantages. Nonetheless, the greater magnitude of its advantages outweighs its disadvantages. All modern technologies are connected by the Internet, thereby leaving no stone unturned. This digital world can be a playground for some and a battlefield for others.

16. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Advantages of the Internet • Faster Communication • The Internet has been mankind's greatest means of communication yet. Newer innovations are only making it faster and more reliable. Today, we can initiate real-time communication with someone who is in another part of the world. • For more personal and interactive communication, it is possible to avail the facilities of video conferencing, chat and messenger services. With the help of these services, the geographically fragmented countries have come together to form a community that is able to share its thoughts on global issues, that affect each and every one of us. The Internet has given us a common platform and medium through which we are able to explore other cultures and ideologies.

17. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Abundant Information Resources • The Internet is a treasure trove of information; which offers knowledge on any given topic under the sun. Search engines make information accessible on various subject matters such as, government law and services, trade fairs and conferences, market information, new innovations and technical support, and even dispense advice on love and relationships matters.

18. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • It has become common practice to seek assistance from the web in order to research and gather resources for homework, office presentations, and supplement ones own research. • The web also updates news about the latest breakthroughs in the field of medicine, technology, and other domains of science. Numerous websites such as America's Doctor, have made it possible to seek online advice from specialist doctors without having to actually fix an appointment.

19. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Inexhaustible Education • The Internet has become an essential propagator of knowledge, both through free as well as paid services. The credibility of this form of education and whether it is safe, secure, and trustworthy, is usually proven through the quality and authenticity of content presented by each website. • The World Wide Web has become a remarkable avenue for the academically unprivileged, to amass greater knowledge and know-how on subjects.

20. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • The entire scope of homeschooling has expanded because of increased accessibility to videos of teachers giving lectures, showing diagrams and explaining concepts, much like a real classroom. • Nonprofit organizations too have opened websites that seek volunteers and donations in order to help the ones in need. There are also sites like Wikipedia, Coursera, Babbel, Archive, and Teachertube, among others, that have dedicated themselves to the art of imparting knowledge to people of all age groups.

21. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Entertainment for Everyone • Entertainment is one of the foremost reasons why people prefer surfing the Web. In fact, the Internet has gained much success by marketing for several multifaceted entertainment industries. • Finding the latest updates about celebrities and exploring lifestyle websites have become day-to-day activities of many Internet consumers. On the other hand, even celebrities are using the Internet effectively for promoting their cause and for keeping their fans happy.

22. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • There are innumerable games that can be download, either for a price or for free. Indeed, online gaming has tasted dramatic and phenomenal success because of its ever-increasing demand throughout the world.

23. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Social Networking and Staying Connected • One cannot imagine a social life without Facebook or Twitter. These portals have become our means to stay connected with friends and family, and stay in touch with the latest happenings in the world. • Social networking has also evolved as a great medium to connect with like-minded individuals and become a part of interesting groups and communities.

24. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Apart from finding long-lost friends, the Internet also makes it easier to search and apply for jobs and business opportunities on forums and communities. • There are public chat rooms where users can meet new people. For those who are single, the Internet also provides the option to select a suitable dating partner through secure online profiles, that can be filtered as per personal preferences.

25. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Online Services and E-commerce • Thanks to numerous monetary services, we can perform all our financial transactions online. We can book tickets for a movie, transfer funds, pay utility bills and taxes without having to leave our homes or offices. • Travel websites for instance, offer quick booking schemes and plan itineraries as per the preferences of their clients.

26. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • E-commerce is used for all type of business dealing that involves the transfer of money through the Internet. Online transaction of money has become the norm with almost all kinds of business. • E-commerce, with its vast reach over a variety of products and services, makes it possible to have the client's orders delivered at their doorsteps. Websites such as eBay allow customers to bid, buy, sell, and even auction products online.

27. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Disadvantages of the Internet • Theft of Personal Information • The use of Internet for banking, social networking, or other services, often makes our personal information vulnerable to theft. • There are no fail-proof ways to securing names, account numbers, addresses, photos, and credit card numbers from being stolen or misused by thieving websites and individuals.

28. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Unscrupulous hackers can access our sensitive information through unsecured connections by planting phishing software. • Needless to say, the damage caused by having our identities misused and our accounts broken into, is often irreparable and most of all, embarrassing.

29. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Spamming • Spamming refers to sending unwanted e-mails, which serve no purpose and needlessly obstruct the computer system. • Such illegal activities can be very frustrating as it makes it slower to access our email accounts and makes the entire service unreliable for consumers.

30. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Spammers usually use bots that bombard the receiver with an endless line of advertisements. This can prove to be increasingly perplexing, as it keeps getting mixed with our more important emails. • Fortunately, email service providers often have security systems in place to guard against spamming. Fortunately, it is possible to report an email as spam, so that all emails from the same email id or IP address, are blocked.

31. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Malware Threats • One of the most annoying problems with the Internet is the ease with which any malware can infect our computers. Internet users are often plagued by virus attacks that harm their computers and important files. Virus programs are inconspicuous and may get activated simply by clicking a seemingly harmless link. • Computers connected to the Internet are extremely prone to IP targeted virus attacks that may end up crashing the system completely

32. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Internet virus can be of three types. The first type of virus affects files and goes directly for a particular file or file type. • The second type harms system and executable boot files. These can be particularly nasty, as they can effectively stop the computer from starting again. • Lastly, there's the macro virus, which is the most common as well as the most harmless of them all. The macro virus simply keep changing things like symbols on word files. • The type of virus that can replicate and spread itself is known as worms. When a virus is disguised as something else, it's known as a trojan.

33. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Age-inappropriate Content • Pornography and age-inappropriate content is perhaps the biggest disadvantage of the Internet. The worst being underage porn, which is largely rampant in the deeper parts of the web. • It is the lack of control over the distribution and unrestricted access of pornographic material, that is detrimental to children. All that parents can do, is lock harmful sites and monitor the sites viewed by their children.

34. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Pornography is not just frowned upon by most societies, it's also banned by some. The Internet makes uploading shocking content so easy, that we end up coming across inappropriate words and images, despite not wanting to.

35. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • Social Isolation, Obesity, and Depression • The biggest problem with having the Internet is, its ability to create rifts between the real and virtual world. The virtual world can often seem so alluring that once hooked, going back to real life seems daunting. • There is an addiction for everything that pertains to the web and that includes excessive surfing, online gambling, social networking, and gaming addiction. There are now psychiatric clinics and doctors that specifically cater to resolving the problems created by the Internet. • These addictions create both physical as well as mental issues that can lead to health complications if left unattended. It is ironic that, while it is easy to find plenty of online support for agoraphobia, the Internet itself can be a big cause or trigger for it.

36. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet • The link between obesity and the Internet is rather easy to understand. The more one sits in front of the computer, the lesser one exercises. At the end of the longish list of physical and emotional maladies, is depression. Since all problems are so deeply linked with one another and with the Internet, it isn't uncommon for people to be afflicted with multiple issues. • Recent studies and research have gone deep enough to actually differentiate between compulsive Internet use and excessive Internet use. Furthermore, thanks to smart phones, holding a simple face-to-face conversation seems out of the ordinary as compared to chatting online.

37. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet Thus, even though the Internet has the potential to make our lives simple and convenient, it also holds the power to wreak havoc. Its influence on us is mostly dictated by the choices we make while being online. With prudent use, we can manage to harness its unlimited potential and steer clear of its adverse effects.

38. Topic Three Major uses of the internet

39. Major Uses of the Internet Internet is today one of the most important part of our daily life. There are large numbers of things that can be done using the internet and so it is very important. You can say that with the progress in the internet we are progressing in every sphere of life as it not only makes our tasks easier but also saves a lot of time. Today internet is used for different purposes depending upon the requirement. The major uses are as follows:

40. Major Uses of the Internet • Communication • At the moment the easiest thing that can be done using the internet is that we can communicate with the people living far away from us with extreme ease. Earlier the communication used to be a daunting task but all that changed once internet came into the life of the common people. • Now people can not only chat but can also do the video conferencing. It has become extremely easy to contact the loved ones who are in some other part of the world. • Communication is the most important gift that the internet has given to the common man. Email, social networking sites are some of the prime example of it. This is one such gift of the internet which is cherished by everyone and has made our life easier to much extent.

41. Major Uses of the Internet • There are many people who are very much interested in writing blogs and for them internet is the best place. They can not only write blogs as per their wish but can also publicize their work so that their work reaches to most of the people and they get appreciated. • There is huge number of websites over the internet which allows you to write blogs. You just need to get yourself registered as per their procedure and then start writing. • And if your blogs are really good and so many people visit your blog then there is chance that you might get elected to write blogs for big organizations. Blogging has reached to all new level with the help of internet and is one such use which is beneficial to everyone.

42. Major Uses of the Internet • Research • Now the point that has been placed next is research. In order to do research you need to go through hundreds of books as well as the references and that was one of the most difficult jobs to do earlier. Since the internet came into life, everything is available just a click away. • You just have to search for the concerned topic and you will get hundreds of references that may be beneficial for your research. And since internet is here to make your research public, you can then benefit a large amount of people from the research work that you have done. • Research is one such thing which has got lots of benefit from this evolution of internet. Research process has now got wings and has gained the most due to the internet.

43. Major Uses of the Internet • Education • The next point that we have in this list is education. Yes you read it right. Education is one of the best things that the internet can provide. There are a number of books, reference books, online help centers, expert’s views and other study oriented material on the internet that can make the learning process very easier as well as a fun learning experience. • There are lots and lots of websites which are related to different topic. You can visit them and can gain endless amount of knowledge that you wish to have. With the use of internet for education, you are non-longer dependent on some other person to come and teach you. • There are various number of tutorials available over the internet using which you can learn so many thing very easily. There can’t be any excellent use of the internet other than education as it is the key to achieve everything in life.

44. Major Uses of the Internet • Financial Transaction • The next use mentioned here is financial transaction. Financial transaction is the term which is used when there is exchange of money. With the use of internet in the financial transaction, your work has become a lot easier. • Now you don’t need to stand in the queue at the branch of your particular bank rather you can just log in on to the bank website with the credential that has been provided to you by the bank and then can do any transaction related to finance at your will. • With the ability to do the financial transaction easily over the internet you can purchase or sell items so easily. Financial transaction can be considered as one of the best uses of resource in the right direction.

45. Major Uses of the Internet • Shopping has now become one of the most pleasing things to do using the internet. Whenever you find time, just visit the concerned websites and order the items that you need from there. • Those items will be delivered to you in best possible time. There is huge number of options available for a common people to buy or to sell any particular item using the internet. Using internet now it is possible to buy products from all over the world.

46. Major Uses of the Internet • Do you remember the time when the only way to book the railway tickets or bus tickets or plane tickets was to visit their centers at the designated location? • That time has completely changed and today everything is available at the mouse click. This has been possible only because of the internet. Not only the online booking process is easier as well as less tedious but is also reliable. • There is no need to visit the booking counters to book tickets or to contact the agents that might ask for more money in order to process your request. You can do all these things sitting at home, using internet. The booking process has simplified because of the internet and this is the best use of the resources that you have.

47. Major Uses of the Internet • Real Time Updates • Real time updates have been placed at the number fifth position here. This has been mentioned here in regards to the news and other happenings that may be on-going in different parts of the world but with the use of internet we come to know about it very easily and without any difficulty. • There are various websites on the internet which provides you with the real time updates in every field be it in business, sports, finance, politics, entertainment and others. • Many a time the decisions are taken on the real time updates that are happening in various parts of the world and this is where internet is very essential and helpful.

48. Major Uses of the Internet • Leisure • Leisure is the option that we have next in the list. Yes you heard it right. Right from watching your favorite videos to listening songs, watching movies, playing games, chatting with the loved ones has been possible due to internet. • Internet has progressed with so much pace that today whenever you get time, you just move on to the internet and so such activities which helps you to relax. • Leisure is one of the most important uses of internet and that has surely one thing that attracts people towards it. Internet is home of some of the excellent resources using which you can freshen up your mood in minutes.

49. Major Uses of the Internet • Job Search • Job search is one such thing which required updates from every corner as well the patience from the person searching for it. Using internet, this has become an easier task. • There are endless amount of websites on the internet that provided with the news about the vacancy in various companies. You just need to get yourself registered at these website and they will do the rest. • They will not only send you the email mentioning job vacancy according to your choice but will also help you to select the best out of them. Job search is easier now, all thanks to internet else it was a nightmare earlier.

50. Topic Four Managing spam