Summary

The Internet is an International computer Network made up of thousands of networks linked together.

These computers need to use the same language or protocol: TCP/IP (transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) which is like the internet operating system. Every computer is given a unique IP address.

To use the Internet we basically need a computer, connection software and a modem. We also need an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The internet consists of many systems that offer different facilities to users, for example: the World Wide Web, email, chat and instant messaging, FTP, Telnet, Newsgroups, Internet phone, video conferencing, etc.

Email – electronic mail allows users to exchange messages and attached files which can include text, pictures, audio.

There are two ways of using email:

• Mail program installed on your computer (for example Outlook Express)
• Web-based email accessible from any web browsers (Gmail, Hotmail, Seznam…)

Online banking is performing banking transactions via the Internet.

Online banking can be used to pay bills, transfer money to various accounts, check account balances, trade stocks, etc. When anybody opens an account, he or she is given a confidential PIN (personal identification number), a password and a username.

For some transactions, customers have to use a TAN – transaction authorisation number from a list provided by the bank, which acts as a second password.