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 usually offer different levels of speed based on your needs. If you're mainly using the internet for e-mail and social networking, a slower connection might be all you need, but 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. Most internet connections are Cabls or DSl Broadband and speeds should be good enough.

Hardware Needed

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 what type of modem you need. 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 with them, which helps to ensure that you have the right kind of modem. A Wirless router maybe needed if you have a laptop. 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.

Web Browser

A web browser is the tool that you use to access the World Wide Web. The browser's main job is to display web pages. It also lets you create Bookmarks (sometimes called Favorites) for sites you like, so that you can easily find them again later. The World Wide Web is a virtual network of web sites connected by hyperlinks (or "links"). Web sites 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 the Internet Explorer browser, and 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 what type of service you have, your ISP may need to send a technician to your house in order to turn the connection on. 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 tech support number.

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