The Internet is often described as a "network of networks"—a massive global collection of interconnected systems that allows computers to communicate and share data instantly. How It Functions
: Every device connected to the Internet has a unique numerical label called an IP address , allowing it to be identified and located across the network. Historical Origins The Internet
: While it started for government researchers, the official "birthday" of the modern Internet is considered to be January 1, 1983 , when it adopted standard networking protocols. It exploded into a global commercial network in the 1990s. Its Impact on Daily Life The Internet is often described as a "network
: Devices use shared "languages" or rules, such as TCP/IP , to ensure these packets reach their destination in the correct order. It exploded into a global commercial network in the 1990s
: It was originally designed to be a resilient communication system that could survive a nuclear attack by having no single central hub.