Introduction

How many hours a day do you spend on the internet or using digital devices?
Chances are, it’s a big part of your routine — and that alone shows how important the internet has become in our lives. But you might ask, “We’re just end users, so why should we care about how it all works?”

Well, here’s why: today, we are surrounded by internet-connected devices, and nearly 60–70% of our daily tasks depend on them — from learning and working to shopping and entertainment.

Understanding how the internet works isn’t just for techies — it helps protect you from misinformation, misuse, and digital risks. And more importantly, it feeds your curiosity and empowers you to be a smarter digital citizen.

In this blog, you’ll learn how the internet works — explained in simple, layman’s language. Yes, you might come across a few new terms, but don’t worry — by the end, you’ll be able to confidently explain the internet and the journey of data around us to anyone.

So, let’s dive in — one step at a time.

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a global network of computers that are connected and communicate using standard rules called protocols. It allows people to send and receive data, access information, communicate, and use online services from anywhere in the world.

wait, wait… so many jargons. Let’s understand in simple terms.

In your school computer room, you may see that all the computers are connected. Imagine this on a large scale. It is like so many computers connected and sharing information.

But, how do get connect your computer/ device to this large web of computers? This work is done by SPs, or Internet Service Providers.

An ISP is a company that gives you access to the internet. They act like the middleman between your device and the rest of the online world.

Popular ISPs in India include Jio, Airtel, and BSNL; in other countries, names like Comcast or Verizon are common.

Here’s how it works:

You connect to the ISP through Wi-Fi, mobile data, or a wired connection.
The ISP sends your request (like opening Google or watching a YouTube video) out into the internet.
It also brings the right data back to your screen — fast and in real-time.

So, without an ISP, your device is like a phone with no network — it can’t reach anyone.

The Devices and Connections Involved

Let’s first understand how the phone/ computer/ device gets connected to the ISP.

Here the role of Routers and Modems comes.

🔌 Modem:

The modem is the device that connects directly to your ISP. It takes the signals from your internet providers through wires/ cables etc and translates it into a digital signal your devices can understand.

Think of the modem as the main motor (pump) of your house — it pulls water (internet data) from the source (your ISP) and sends it to the overhead tank (router).

📡 Router:

The router is the distributor of the internet. Let us think you are connected to the wifi then the router is the one who distributes the internet to all your devices.

In simple words, we can say a router is like a tank and a pipe system that sends the water to your kitchen, bathroom, and washing machine (your devices).

So basically:

Modem = Motor (brings the internet in)
Router = Tanki and pipe system (distributes it inside the house)

IP Addresses and DNS

Let’s Understand About IP

Till now, we’ve understood how we get internet access through our ISP. But here’s a question:
Is it safe if anyone can just connect to this global web without any identity or trace?

If that were the case, solving cybercrimes or tracking harmful activity online would be nearly impossible. That’s where IP addresses come into the picture.

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is like your digital home address.

Every device connected to the internet — whether it’s a phone, laptop, or even a smart TV — is given a unique IP address by the ISP.

Websites Also Have IP Addresses

Since the internet works using numbers (not names), even web pages like google.com(domain name which is easy to remember for normal users) have their own IP addresses. Your device doesn’t understand names — it needs numbers to connect and communicate.

To convert a website name into numbers, the DNS (Domain Name System) helps us out. You can think of DNS as a digital phone directory for the internet.

So, when you type google.com in your browser, your request first goes to DNS, which translates that name into the actual IP address of Google’s server — something like 142.250.182.206.

That’s the address your device uses to find and connect to Google.

Think of it like this:

You ask a friend, “Where does Rohan live?”
Your friend (like DNS) gives you Rohan’s exact house address (IP address).
Now you can visit him — just like your browser visits the website.

If the DNS system wasn’t available, you have to remember the IP address of every single website you want to visit

Note:

We will dive deeper into processes like how DNS works in a future blog for a more detailed understanding. Stay tuned for more insights!

What Happens When You Search for Something?

With our understanding till now let’s understand the step-by-step journey:

You type a URL or search a keyword
The request goes to DNS
DNS finds the IP of the server
Your request travels through various networks
The server receives the request and sends back data
Your browser shows the result

The Protocols That Power the Internet: TCP/IP and HTTP/HTTPS

Once your device knows the IP address of a website (thanks to DNS), it needs to communicate with that website — and for that, we use a set of rules called protocols.

As machines work on a set of rules and without rules/ proper guidelines conduct can’t be taken.

Let’s break down the main ones:

TCP/UDP and IP – The Delivery Team of the Web

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and IP (Internet Protocol) are like the delivery team of the Internet.

IP is responsible for finding the address (like GPS for the data).
TCP is responsible for breaking the data into small packets, sending them across the internet, and making sure they arrive safely and in the right order.
UDP is also responsible for data transfer as TCP. It is faster than TCP but at the cost of reliability

Imagine you're sending a parcel with multiple items.

IP finds where to send it.
TCP/UDP packs the items in boxes, labels them, and ensures all of them reach the correct destination.’

Note:

We’ve covered TCP and UDP briefly here, but we’ll dive deeper into these protocols in a future blog for a more detailed comparison.

HTTP /HTTPS– The Language of Web Browsing

When you type a website’s name into your browser, you’re essentially asking for some information. But how does that happen?

TCP is the delivery boy but what what you have to send?

This is where HTTP and HTTPS come into play.

HTTP – The Web’s Standard Language

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the language your browser and websites use to talk to each other.
It's like sending a letter to the website saying, “Please send me your homepage” and receiving a reply.

What Happens:
You type google.com, and your browser sends an HTTP request to Google's server. The server responds with the content of Google’s homepage.

HTTP is the basic language used for browsing — it's how we make requests for websites and receive responses.

HTTPS – The Secure Version

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is just like HTTP, but with an extra layer of security. It encrypts the data sent between your browser and the website, keeping it safe from hackers or anyone else who might be listening.

What Happens:
If you’re logging into an account or entering payment info, HTTPS ensures that only the website can read what you’re sending, and no one else can intercept or steal it.

Think of it Like This:

HTTP = Sending a postcard that anyone can read.
HTTPS = Sending a locked box that only the recipient can open.
Note:
- Server = The system that hosts and serves data (like websites).
- Client = The device (like your phone or computer) that requests data from the server.
- Together = Servers and clients work hand-in-hand to deliver the content you see on the web.

Conclusion

The internet might feel like magic when you type a website and it instantly pops up, but now you know the amazing journey your data goes on — from the moment you press "Enter" to when the page loads on your screen.

Let’s Summarize everything:

Router and Modem: These are like your gateway to the internet, connecting you through your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to the huge web of computers out there.
DNS: When you type in a website name (like google.com), DNS translates that name into a number (IP address) that your device understands.
IP and Server: That number (IP) helps your device find the server where the website lives.
Server Response: The server then sends the requested information back to your device.
Protocol: This data travels back to you using special rules (called TCP/IP) to make sure it gets to the right place.
HTTP/HTTPS: The information is then sent in a way your browser understands, using HTTP or HTTPS to ensure everything is secure.
Boom: And just like that, your search results or webpage appear on your screen!

Understanding how the internet works not only helps us appreciate its complexity but also empowers us to be more informed and secure users.

So, the next time you’re online, remember: there's a lot more happening in the background than you might think!

Insides of the Internet: Let's Explore the Journey of Your Data

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