Networks and the Internet

A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media. When a computer connects to a network, it is online. Networks allow computers to share resources, such as hardware, software, data, and information. Sharing resources saves time and money. The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals. More than one billion people around the world use the Internet daily for a variety of reasons, including the following: to communicate with and meet other people; to conduct research and access a wealth of information and news; to shop for goods and services; to bank and invest; to participate in online training; to engage in entertaining activities, such as planning vacations, playing online games, listening to music, watching or editing videos, and books and magazines; to share information, photos, and videos; to download music and videos; and to access and interact with Web applications.