Computer Fundamentals Topic 6: Internet Basics - Lesson 1
Browsers, URLs, And Websites
Learn how browsers open web pages and how web addresses are structured.
Internet, Web, And Browsers
The internet is a global network of connected devices. The web is one major service that runs on the internet.
A browser is an app used to view websites. Common browsers include Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
- A website is a collection of web pages.
- A browser requests files from a server.
- The browser turns those files into the page users see.
URLs
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It is the address of a resource on the web.
A URL can include a protocol, domain name, path, and other details.
- In https://quizniva.in/subjects/, https is the protocol.
- quizniva.in is the domain.
- /subjects/ is the path.
Internet Versus Web
The internet is the global network infrastructure. The web is a service built on top of that infrastructure. Email, messaging, video calls, online games, file sync, and the web can all use the internet.
A website is not stored inside your browser. The browser requests web page files from servers, receives them over the internet, and then renders them. That rendering step is why the same website may look slightly different across browsers or devices.
- The internet is the network.
- The web is one major service on the network.
- Browsers request and display web pages.
- Servers store or generate website data.
What Happens When You Open A URL
When you type a URL, the browser first figures out where the site lives. It may ask DNS for an IP address. Then it connects to the server, requests the page, downloads resources, and displays the result.
A single page can require many resources: HTML for structure, CSS for style, JavaScript for behavior, images, fonts, videos, and data requests. This is why complex pages may continue loading after the first text appears.
- The browser reads the URL.
- DNS may translate the domain to an IP address.
- The browser connects to the server.
- The server sends resources.
- The browser renders the page.
Reading URLs Carefully
A URL contains clues about where you are. The domain name is especially important. Attackers often use look-alike names, extra words, or misleading subdomains to trick users.
For example, `quizniva.in` and `quizniva.example.com` are not the same domain. In the second address, the main domain is `example.com`. Learning to identify the real domain helps prevent phishing.
- Look for the real domain before entering private information.
- HTTPS protects the connection but does not guarantee honesty.
- Be careful with shortened links when context is unclear.
- Search results can include ads or misleading pages.
Quick Summary
- The internet is a global network.
- The web is one service on the internet.
- A browser opens websites using URLs.
Practice Quiz
Now practice this lesson with MCQs and explanations: