About the Internet

1. Global Network: The internet is essentially a network of networks. It connects millions of smaller networks together, including those of large corporations, governments, and public institutions, as well as smaller networks in homes and schools.
   
   

2. Information and Data Exchange: At its core, the internet facilitates the exchange of information and data. This data can be in various forms, such as text, images, video, and sound.
   
   

How the Internet Works

1. Connecting Devices: Devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets connect to the internet through service providers, such as BT, Virgin Media, or Sky in the UK. These devices can connect via wired connections (like Ethernet cables) or wirelessly (using Wi-Fi or cellular networks).
   
   

2. Data Transmission: Once connected, data is sent and received using a set of rules called protocols. The most fundamental of these is the Internet Protocol (IP), which assigns an IP address to each device on the internet. This is somewhat like your home’s postal address, but for your device on the internet.
   
   

3. Servers and Clients: Most interactions on the internet involve a client (your device) and a server. Servers are powerful computers that store and send data as requested by clients. For example, when you access a website, your browser (acting as the client) sends a request to the server that hosts the website. The server then responds by sending the data required to display the website.
   
   

4. Websites and Applications: The internet hosts millions of websites and applications that provide a wide range of services, including news, entertainment, education, shopping, and more. Websites are accessed through addresses known as URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), and each URL directs you to a specific website’s server.
   
   

Common Uses of the Internet

1. Communication: Email, social media, and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger allow people to communicate instantly across the globe.
   
   

2. Information Retrieval: Search engines like Google enable users to search for information on virtually any topic.
   
   

3. Online Services: Banking, shopping, government services, and more are available online, allowing users to conduct various transactions from the comfort of their homes.
   
   

4. Entertainment: Streaming services like Netflix and Spotify provide music, films, and TV shows on demand.
   
   

5. Education: Online educational resources, e-learning platforms, and tutorials provide learning opportunities to a worldwide audience.
   
   

Benefits of the Internet

• Accessibility: Connects you to vast amounts of information and services from anywhere at any time.
  
  

• Communication: Makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family worldwide.
  
  

• Convenience: Allows performing many activities online, from shopping to booking travel and managing finances.
  
  

Challenges Associated with the Internet

• Security Risks: Issues like data breaches, phishing attacks, and other cyber threats are risks of using the internet.
  
  

• Information Overload: The sheer amount of available information can be overwhelming and sometimes leads to difficulty in distinguishing reliable from unreliable sources.

The internet is a revolutionary technology that has transformed how we live, work, and play. Understanding how it functions is the first step toward making effective and safe use of its vast potential.

Turning on a device

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Identify the Power Button: This button is often found on the right side or top of devices like smartphones and tablets, or on the front or side of a computer tower.
  
  

• Activate the Device: Press and hold the power button for about 2-3 seconds. Wait until the screen lights up or you hear a startup sound, indicating the device is powering on.
  
  

• Check for Visual/Audio Cues: Once on, the device may display a logo or play a sound to show it is starting up correctly.

Use the available controls on a device

Understanding Basic Controls

• Volume Control: Look for buttons on the side of your device to increase or decrease volume. On a computer, this can also be adjusted from the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
  
  

• Home Button/Swipe Gestures: Smartphones and tablets often have a physical home button or require a swipe up gesture to return to the home screen.
  
  

• Back Button/Gesture: This can either be a physical button or a swipe gesture to return to the previous screen.
  
  

• Lock/Unlock: The power button can also lock the screen when pressed quickly. To unlock, press again and swipe up or enter a passcode.
  
  

Use accessibility tools on a device 

For more detailed instructions, visit our 'Troubleshooting - section 8' web page.

Activating Accessibility Features

• Access Accessibility Settings: Navigate to 'Settings', then select 'Accessibility'. This menu houses all the tools designed to improve device usability.
  
  

Key Features to Consider

Text-to-Speech: Converts on-screen text into spoken words.

Magnifier: Enlarges part of the screen.

Contrast/Colour Adjustment: Enhances screen visibility and colour differentiation.

Interact with the home screen on a device

Navigating the Home Screen

Learn the Layout: Familiarise yourself with where your apps are located. Swipe left or right to view different panels.

Managing Apps: Tap and hold an app icon to rearrange it or drag it into a folder with similar apps.

Accessing Widgets: Some devices allow widgets on the home screen for quick information like weather or calendar.

Access  Wifi & access information & content

Internet Basics

Wi-Fi Connection: Wi-Fi is a wireless connection to the internet provided through a local router. It’s essential for accessing online content without using cellular data.

Connecting to Wi-Fi: Go to 'Settings' > 'Wi-Fi'. Toggle it on and select a network. Secure networks will require a password.

Connect a device to a safe and secure Wi-Fi network

Ensuring Safe Wi-Fi Usage

Choose Known Networks: Always connect to Wi-Fi networks you know and trust, such as your home network or networks in workplaces or friends' houses.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Transactions: When on public networks, avoid accessing sensitive information like banking or personal details unless you use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

"A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that helps protect your internet privacy and enhance security. It creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the internet. When you use a VPN, your online activities are routed through a remote server, making it harder for others to track your actions or access your data."

Connect to the internet and open a browser to find & use websites

Using a Web Browser

Open Your Browser: Click on the browser icon (such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari).

"A web browser is a software application used to access and view websites on the internet. When you type a URL (web address) into a browser, it retrieves the data from a web server and displays the webpage on your device."

Navigate the Web: Enter a URL or search query into the address bar at the top and press Enter to search or access a site.

"A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a web address that points to a specific webpage or file on the internet. It's like an address for a location on the internet. When you type a URL into a web browser, it helps the browser find and display the webpage or download the file you're looking for."

Keep passwords & personal information safe

Protecting Personal Information

Be Cautious Online: Always think critically about the information you share online. Use complex passwords that include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to protect your accounts.

Update & change a password when prompted to do so

Maintaining Account Security

Regular Updates: Change your passwords regularly to secure your accounts. Many services will prompt you to change your password periodically for security purposes.

Follow Prompts: When an app or device prompts you to change your password, follow the instructions provided to update it immediately.

Antivirus Software: Programs designed to detect and remove malware and other malicious software from a computer.

Bookmark Bar: is a feature found in most web browsers that allows you to save and organise your favourite websites in an easily accessible toolbar, typically located directly below the browser's address bar. 

Browser: Software used to access the Internet and view websites, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

Cloud Storage: Online service where data is stored on remote servers accessed from the internet, allowing users to save and retrieve data from any device.

Domain Name: A unique name that identifies a website on the Internet like 'google.com'.

Email: Electronic mail; a method of exchanging messages between people using electronic devices.

Firewall: A security system that controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

Gigabyte (GB): A unit of storage measuring approximately one billion bytes. Commonly used to refer to the amount of storage space available or needed.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard language used to create and design web pages.

Internet History: This is your browser history which is a record of the websites you have visited over a period of time, stored by your web browser. This history includes the URLs of sites visited. You can access your history using shortcut keys: Ctrl+H or Cmd+H on Mac.

ISP (Internet Service Provider): A company that provides individuals and other companies access to the Internet.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): A commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images, particularly for those images produced by digital photography.

Keyword: A word or phrase that describes the contents of a Web page, used especially in SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).

Link: A hyperlink, or simply a "link", is a reference to data that the reader can directly follow either by clicking or by hovering. It points to a whole document or to a specific element within a document.

Malware: Software specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorised access to a computer system.

Network: A group of two or more computer systems linked together. Networks can be categorized by their size, their functional relationship, or their connection method.

Operating System (OS): Software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.

Phishing: The attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

QR Code (Quick Response Code): A type of matrix barcode that is readable by QR scanners, mobile phones with a camera, and smartphones.

Router: A networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks, performing traffic directing functions on the Internet.

SSD (Solid State Drive): A type of mass storage device similar to a hard disk drive (HDD). It uses flash memory to store data, which provides better performance and reliability over an HDD.

Shortcut Keys: These are also known as keyboard shortcuts. They are specific combinations of keys on a keyboard that, when pressed simultaneously, perform a particular function within a software program or operating system faster than using a mouse or other input methods.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): A security process in which the user provides two different authentication factors to verify themselves.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The address of a web page on the internet.

VPN (Virtual Private Network): A secure connection between private networks over the public internet, providing privacy and anonymity.

Wi-Fi: A family of wireless network protocols, based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, that are commonly used for local area networking of devices and Internet access.

XML (eXtensible Markup Language): A markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable.

YouTube: A video sharing service where users can watch, like, share, comment, and upload their own videos.

Zip: A file format used for data compression and archiving, which supports lossless data compression.

• Cmd + C: Copy the selected item.

• Cmd + X: Cut the selected item.

• Cmd + V: Paste the selected item.

• Cmd + Z: Undo the last command.

• Cmd + Shift + Z: Redo the last command.

• Cmd + Tab: Switch between open applications.

• Cmd + Option + Esc: Force quit an application.

• Cmd + Spacebar: Open Spotlight search.

• Cmd + Minus (–): Zoom out.

• Cmd + Plus (+): Zoom in.

• Cmd + W: Close the front window.

• Cmd + Option + D: Show or hide the Dock.

• Cmd + Shift + 3: Take a screenshot of the entire screen.

• Cmd + Shift + 4: Take a screenshot of a selected area.

• Cmd + A: Select all items in a document or window.

• Ctrl + C: Copy the selected item.

• Ctrl + X: Cut the selected item.

• Ctrl + V: Paste the selected item.

• Ctrl + Z: Undo an action.

• Ctrl + Y: Redo an action.

• Alt + Tab: Switch between open applications.

• Ctrl + Alt + Del: Open the Task Manager or interrupt a function.

• Windows Key: Open the Start menu.

• Windows Key + D: Display and hide the desktop.

• Windows Key + E: Open File Explorer.

• Windows Key + L: Lock the computer or switch users.

• Windows Key + S: Open Windows search.

• Windows Key + Arrow Keys: Snap windows to the side of the screen.

• Alt + F4: Close the active item, or exit the active app.

• Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager directly.