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The internet is composed of many interconnected computer networks. Each network may link tens, hundreds, or even thousands of computers, enabling them to share information with one another and to share computational resources such as powerful supercomputers database of information. The internet has made it possible for people all over the world communicate with one other effectively and inexpensively. Unlike traditional broadcasting media, such as radio and television, the internet does not have a centralized distribution system. Instead, an individual who has internet access can communicate directly with anyone else on the internet, make information provided by others, or sell products with a minimum overhead cost.

The internet has brought new opportunities to government, business and education. Governments use the internet for internal communication, distribution of information and automated tax processing. In addition to offering goods and services online to customers, businesses use the internet to interact with other businesses. Many individuals use the internet for communicating through electronic mail (E-mail), for news and research information, shopping, paying bills and online banking. Educational institutions use the internet for research and deliver courses and material to students.

Use the internet has grown tremendously since its inception. The Internets success arises from its flexibility .Instead of restricting components networks to a particular manufacturer or particular type. Internet computer network>No network is too large or too small, too fast or too slow to be interconnected. Thus, the internet includes inexpensive networks that can span a continent and connect thousands of computers.

Internet service provider (ISP) provide internet access to customers ,usually for a monthly fee. A customer who subscribes to an ISP’s service uses the ISP’s network to access the internet. Because ISP’s offer their service to the general public, the networks they operate are known as public access networks. In the UNITED STATES, as in many countries where telephone service is a government-regulated monopoly, the government often controls ISP’s.

An organization that has many computers usually owns and operators a private network, called an intranet, which connects all the computers within the organization. To provide internet service, the organization connects its intranet to the internet. Unlike public access network, intranets are restricted to provide security. Only authorized computers at the organizations can connect to the intranet, and the organizations restricts communication between the intranet and the global internet. The restrictions allow computers inside the organizations to exchange information but keep the information confidential and protected from outsiders.

The internet has doubled in size every 9 to 14 months since it began in the late 1970’s. In 1981 only 213 computers were connected to the internet. By 2000 the number had grown to more 100 million. The current number of people who use the internet can only be estimated. Once survey found that there were 61 million internet users worldwide at the end of 1996, 148 million at the end of 1998, and 407 million by the end of 2000.Today, the number of internet users is estimated to be more than 800 million worldwide.