Effects of the Internet

12-8-03

Essay 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outline

 

Thesis:  The creation of the Internet has had many profound effects on the world.

 

I.                   Introduction

II.                Business

A.   New Dot-Com’s

B.   Old Corporations

III.             Communication

IV.            Information

V.               Security

VI.            Conclusion
            The creation of the Internet has had many profound effects on the world.  Only a decade ago, the Internet and the World Wide Web were merely keywords among network administrators and technology geeks.  Starting in 1995, the widespread connection of telecommunication corporations’ networks ignited a surge of Internet users and a half-million websites.  The advent of this inter-network has had many tangible benefits that greatly outweigh the pitfalls and difficulties of using a computer.  There are four overlapping areas that were affected by the Internet:  Business, communication, information, and security.  However, they all rely on the foundation of general consumers to fuel them.

            Wherever there are people, there are people trying to make a buck.  It’s no wonder that websites created to sell, promote, or provide information on products and services were the driving force to continued expansion of the Internet.  “Dot-Com businesses” was the hot phrase on the market as hundreds of new Internet companies began to appear in 1998.  People were amazed at how easy it is to buy and sell through the use of websites over the Internet.  Postal companies raced to catch up to demands for shipping products sold online.  Security issues also sprung up as people were using credit cards almost exclusively for online purchases.  The new companies also struggled to keep their e-stores secure from identity and credit thieves.

            Already-established businesses and large corporations also gained some advantages in the Internet.  They launched store-fronts online and allowed some personnel to work at home but still be connected to the company’s network.  Extra profits were seen from creating online stores with only a minor cost of designing and maintaining a website.  Similarly, workers with long commutes could work at home and gain extra productivity through the quick methods of communication afforded by the Internet.

            Communication is also one of the sectors affected by the rise of the Internet.  People can exchange information in mere fractions of a second through use of electronic mail (e-mail), instant messaging, internet relay chat, and other systems.  E-mail was the first form of online communication, and it competed fiercely with traditional postal mail; although, postal companies made up for the loss of business with increasing productivity for shipping demands.  Instant messaging is popular among younger people and has nearly replaced phone calls for conversations, as it requires no long distance fees and users find that they can express themselves more conveniently.  Chatting is another form of online communication that is more of a niche.  With chatting, whether it is web-based, IRC, or through IM programs, people of similar interests get together to essentially party online.  Business also communicates, most frequently through unsolicited e-mail (spam).  Communication over the Internet is the source of a large portion of network traffic, and it is becoming more popular with the introduction of every new person to the Internet.

            Information is the biggest mover over the networks of the Internet.  Information includes not only text and pictures on websites, but also music, videos, and software.  Business and communication over the Internet are greatly but not solely dependent on availability of information online; businesses sell information and communication releases it freely.  Information is available through websites that are found through search engines and domain names, newsgroups that are available with e-mail, file servers, and file sharing that is very controversial lately.  Those who share and enjoy in the information available are, of course, for free file sharing; yet, the owners of copyrighted information are harshly opposed to it as they are losing money.  However, the mass amounts of information available online have made it easier for people to learn about their world and has increased the intake of new information in younger people.  Information online is the primary source for many people and will continue to expand steadily as more users come to the Internet.

            The final area of Internet effects is security.  People often would rather not speak about what can happen behind the scenes of the Internet.  Secure information can be stolen, systems can be compromised through viruses and trojans, and people can be spied upon when they think they are safe.  Security over the Internet is an issue which many can not be ignorant about.  To combat prying eyes and malicious software, people and companies employ firewalls and virus scanners.  Firewalls can be either hardware or software. Software firewalls keeps trojans from sending information, while hardware ones keep trojans, viruses, and hackers from sneaking in.  Then, virus scanners take care of the trojans and viruses that manage to slip into the system.  Without these countermeasures, the Internet would collapse to malicious users almost as soon as it can go online.  Security is essential as an effect of having widespread connection between networks.

            In the end, the sum of effects is relative to the presence of users on the Internet.  If no one was to buy or sell on the Internet, it would not have an effect.  The same can be said for communication, information, and security.  It is because the Internet and World Wide Web are so accessible that their continued success is guaranteed.  However, as with all things, if the way people accomplish everyday practices is changed, there will be effects.