How do I connect to the Internet?
Once you've set up your computer, you'll probably want to get
Internet access
so you can send and receive email, browse the Web, watch movies, and
more. Before you can access the Internet, there are three things you
need: an
Internet service, a
modem, and a
web browser.
Watch the video to learn about connecting to the Internet.
Choosing an Internet service
Which service is best for me?
It all depends on
where you live and
how much speed you need.
Internet service providers (ISPs) usually offer different levels of speed based on your needs. If you're mainly using the Internet for
email and
social networking, a slower connection might be all you need. However, if you want to download a lot of
music or watch
streaming movies,
you'll want a faster connection. You'll need to do some research to
find out what the options are in your area. Here are some common types
of Internet service.
- Dial-up: Dial-up is generally the slowest type of
Internet connection, and you should probably avoid it unless it is the
only service available in your area. Like a phone call, a dial-up modem
will connect you to the Internet by dialing a number, and it will
disconnect when you are done surfing the Web. Unless you have multiple
phone lines, you will not be able to use your land line and the Internet
at the same time with a dial-up connection.
- DSL: DSL service uses a broadband connection,
which makes it much faster than dial-up. However, it is unavailable in
many locations, so you'll need to contact your local ISP for information
about your area. DSL connects to the Internet via phone line
but does not require you to have a land line at home. Unlike dial-up,
it will always be on once it's set up, and you'll be able to use the
Internet and your phone line simultaneously.
- Cable: Cable service connects to the Internet via cable TV,
although you do not necessarily need to have cable TV in order to get
it. It uses a broadband connection and can be faster than both dial-up
and DSL service; however, it is only available in places where cable TV
is available.
- Satellite: A satellite connection uses broadband but does not require cable or phone lines; it connects to the Internet through satellites orbiting the Earth.
As a result, it can be used almost anywhere in the world, but the
connection may be affected by weather patterns. A satellite connection
also relays data on a delay, so it is not the best option for people who use real-time applications, like gaming or video conferencing.
- 3G and 4G: 3G and 4G service is most commonly used with mobile phones and tablet computers, and it connects wirelessly
through your ISP's network. If you have a device that's 3G or 4G
enabled, you'll be able to use it to access the Internet away from home,
even when there is no Wi-Fi connection. However, you may have to pay per device to use a 3G or 4G connection, and it may not be as fast as DSL or cable.
Choosing an Internet service provider
Once you have decided which
type of Internet access you're interested in, you can determine which
ISPs
are available in your area that offer the type of Internet access you
want. Then you'll need to purchase Internet service from one of the
available ISPs. Talk to friends, family members, and neighbors to see
which ISPs they use. Below are some things to consider as you research
ISPs:
- Speed
- Price
- Ease of installation
- Service record
- Technical support
- Contract terms
Although
dial-up has traditionally been the
least expensive option, many ISPs have raised dial-up prices to be the
same as broadband.
This is intended to encourage people to switch to broadband. Generally,
you should only use dial-up if it's the only option available.
Hardware needed
Modem
Once you have your computer, you really don't need much additional
hardware to connect to the Internet. The primary piece of hardware you
need is a
modem.
The type of Internet access you choose will determine the type of modem you need.
Dial-up access uses a
telephone modem, DSL service uses a
DSL modem,
cable access uses a
cable modem, and
satellite service uses a
satellite adapter. Your ISP may give you a modem—often for a fee—when you sign a contract, which helps ensure that you have the
right kind of modem. However, if you would prefer to shop for a
better or
less expensive modem, you can choose to buy one separately.
Router
A
router is a hardware device that allows you to connect
several computers and
other devices to a single Internet connection, which is known as a
home network. Many routers are
wireless, allowing you to easily create a
wireless network.
You
don't necessarily need to buy a router to
connect to the Internet. It's possible to connect your computer directly
to your modem using an Ethernet cable. Also, many modems now include a
built-in router, so you have the option of creating a network without having to buy more hardware.
Most routers also act as a hardware firewall, which helps prevent others from gaining access to your computer through the Internet.
Network card
A
network card is a piece of
hardware
that allows computers to communicate over a computer network. Most
newer computers have a network card built into the motherboard, so it
probably isn't something you'll need to purchase. The network card will
have an
Ethernet port, a
wireless connection, or
both.
If you have a
laptop with a wireless connection, you can access the Internet at any place that offers a
Wi-Fi connection. Many
restaurants,
coffee shops,
bookstores,
hotels, and other businesses offer free Wi-Fi. In addition, many cities provide free Wi-Fi in public areas such as
parks and
downtown areas.
Web browsers
A
web browser is the tool you use to access the
Web. The browser's main job is to
display webpages. It also lets you create
bookmarks—sometimes called
Favorites—for sites you like so you can easily find them again later.
The World Wide Web is a virtual network of websites connected by hyperlinks (or links). Websites are stored on servers on the Internet, so the World Wide Web is a part of the Internet.
Your computer probably came with a browser
pre-installed.
PCs come with
Internet Explorer, while
Macs come with
Safari. If you prefer to use a different browser, you can download
Firefox,
Google Chrome, or
Opera. All of these browsers are
free.
Setting up your Internet connection
Once you have chosen an
ISP and purchased the appropriate
modem,
you can use the instructions provided by your ISP—or included with the
modem—to set up your Internet connection. Depending on the type of
service you have, your ISP may need to
send a technician to your house to turn on the connection.
After you have everything set up, you can open your
web browser and begin using the Internet. If you have any problems with your Internet connection, you can call your ISP's
technical support number.
Home networking
If you have multiple computers at home and want to use all of them to access the Internet, you'll probably want to create a
home network. In a home network, all of your devices connect to your
router, which is connected to the
modem. This means everyone in your family can use the Internet
at the same time, and you don't have to purchase a separate Internet service for each computer.
How is a home network used?
Each computer on a network doesn't just connect to the Internet—it also connects to the
other computers and devices on the network. This means you can easily
share files with other computers. Some programs even let you
stream music and movies from one computer to another. One example of this is the
Home Sharing feature in
iTunes. These types of features are easy to set up, but it's up to you whether you want to use them.
Home networks aren't just for families! Even if you
live alone, you may have multiple devices that can connect to a network.
Many phones, printers, MP3 players, video game consoles, and digital video recorders (DVRs) are equipped with wireless cards and often require very little setup to connect them to your home network.
Wireless security
A home network can be
wired (using Ethernet cables) or
wireless (using Wi-Fi). It may also be a
mixture
of the two, with some devices connecting with Ethernet and others
connecting wirelessly. Wireless is generally more convenient; however,
you'll need to think about
wireless security. Below are some important security terms you'll need to know.
- SSID: A service set identifier, commonly called the SSID, is the name
of a wireless network. You should change the default SSID to something
unique that you'll remember. You may not want to use your actual name,
but you can use a hobby or other interest (like rockclimbing1).
- Encryption password: An encryption password is a series of characters that is used to control access to the network. For even greater security, some people use a passphrase,
which is longer—and therefore more secure—than a password. You should
choose a password or passphrase that's easy for you to remember but
difficult for others to guess.
- Encryption: Encryption prevents unauthorized users from reading data that is transmitted over your wireless network. The data is coded into an unreadable form, and it can only be decoded by a computer that has the correct password or passphrase. The most common types of encryption for wireless networks are WPA (Wi-Fi protected access) and WPA2.
Although it's possible to create a wireless network that doesn't have a password, it is very risky. You should always create a password or passphrase to protect it from unauthorized access.
Setting up a home network
Before you set up your home network, you'll need to have a
working Internet connection.
The exact process of creating a network will vary depending on the type
of computer you have, as well as what type of Internet service you
have. You should use the instructions provided by your
ISP (or the ones included with your
router) when setting up your network. The following steps will give you an idea of what to expect.
- If you have a separate router, connect it to the modem, and make sure it has power through the power adapter. If you have a combined router and modem, you won't have to do this.
- Connect all nonwireless devices to your router using Ethernet cables. You may also need to connect your computer to the router until setup is complete, even if your computer has a wireless card.
- From your computer, you will need to create the SSID and password or passphrase for your router. You now have a wireless network that you can begin connecting wireless devices to.
- On each wireless device, you will need to go to
your network settings and select the name (SSID) of the network you just
created. You will then be prompted to type your password.
At this point, your home network setup is complete. If your network isn't working, the instructions from your
ISP should include some troubleshooting tips. You can also call your ISP's
technical support number if you're still having trouble.
. Press and hold the Power button for 5-10 seconds to force the computer to shut down.
