How does the internet work?
How does the internet work?
The internet is a worldwide network of interconnected computers, servers, and devices that exchange data through standardized protocols. It is not a single central system, but a decentralized infrastructure that operates on the basis of cooperation between networks, service providers, hardware, and software. Although it seems as if we "go to" a website, in reality what happens is that our devices request and receive data from other devices spread across the world. This exchange is possible thanks to a complex, well-organized layered structure of technologies and rules.
At the lowest level, the internet runs on physical infrastructure: fiber optic cables, routers, switches, satellites, and data centers. These components form the backbone of communication. When you open a web page, your request and the response travel along these physical paths, often over thousands of kilometers, in a fraction of a second. Most international data flows run through submarine cables that lie along the ocean floor. These cables connect continents and make worldwide communication possible. Routers play a crucial role by making decisions about the fastest and most efficient path for data packets.
The data itself is divided into small pieces, so-called packets, which are sent via the Internet Protocol (IP). IP is one of the fundamental protocols of the internet. Every device connected to the internet has a unique IP address, which functions as a postal address for sending and receiving information. There are two versions: IPv4, with approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses, and IPv6, which offers a virtually inexhaustible number of addresses to meet growing demand. Without IP addresses, it would be impossible to determine where data should go or where it comes from.
For the actual sending of data, the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is often used in combination with IP (so TCP/IP). TCP ensures that all packets arrive safely and in the correct order. If a packet is lost, it is sent again. This makes TCP reliable, but not always the fastest. For applications where speed is more important than perfection, such as video calls or online gaming, User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is often used. UDP sends packets without checking for receipt, which increases speed but lowers reliability.
When you visit a website, you usually start by entering a domain name, such as "pixzo.nl". This name is easier to remember than an IP address, but devices communicate only via IP addresses. That is why a system is needed that converts domain names into IP addresses: the Domain Name System (DNS). DNS functions as a telephone book of the internet. When you enter a domain name, your device asks a DNS server which IP address belongs to it. This query can involve multiple steps, from local cache to root servers and authoritative name servers, until the correct address is found.
Once the IP address is known, the connection can be made via the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or the secure version, HTTPS. HTTP is the protocol that transfers web pages. It works on a client-server model: your browser (the client) sends a request to the server that hosts the website, and the server sends the requested content back. HTTPS adds encryption via TLS (Transport Layer Security), so that sensitive data, such as passwords or banking details, is protected against eavesdropping.
The content of a website is usually stored on a web server. This is a specially configured computer that is continuously connected to the internet and can process requests from clients. Many modern websites use dynamic content: instead of fixed pages, these are generated based on data from a database. Technologies such as PHP, Python, Node.js, or Ruby are often used for this, in combination with databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL. The server then sends the generated HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to the browser, which translates them into a visible web page.
Containers and virtualization play an increasingly large role in hosting internet services. With the help of tools such as Docker, applications can be packaged with all their dependencies, so that they work consistently on every server. This simplifies the management, scaling, and updating of services. Many large platforms nowadays run on container-based infrastructure, often managed via orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes.
Networks are protected with firewalls, encryption, and authentication. Many users also use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), as described in the program *VPN Unlimited*. A VPN encrypts internet traffic and routes it through an external server, hiding the IP address and allowing the location to be changed. This provides privacy and security, especially on public networks. *VPN Unlimited* uses the WireGuard protocol, which is known for its speed and security, and works via NetworkManager without installing additional kernel modules.
Other tools from the source material also illustrate aspects of internet use. *Delta Chat*, for example, is a decentralized instant messenger that works via email infrastructure. Instead of depending on a central chat server, it uses existing email accounts and encrypted connections to send messages. This makes it privacy-friendly and makes it possible to communicate without a phone number or personal data. It shows how internet protocols can be reused in creative ways for modern applications.
File transfer is another core function of the internet. *VServer* is a tool that starts a local HTTP server in a folder on your computer, so that you can easily share files with other devices on the same network. This works similarly to the Python SimpleHTTPServer, but packaged in a user-friendly Flatpak. You can stream a movie, photo, or document from your laptop to your phone, without cloud services or email attachments.
For people who manage data across multiple storage locations, such as cloud providers or external servers, *Rclone UI* is a useful tool. It provides a graphical interface for *rclone*, a powerful command-line tool for synchronizing and managing files. With *Rclone UI*, you can easily set up copy, sync, and mount tasks, without having to remember complex commands. It works on Windows, Linux, and macOS, and supports various protocols such as SFTP, WebDAV, Google Drive, and Amazon S3.
Security is a central theme in the use of the internet. *RustDesk* provides secure, encrypted access to another device remotely, with end-to-end encryption via NaCl. This means that only the user and the owner of the target device can read the data. It is an open source alternative to tools such as TeamViewer, with the option to host the infrastructure yourself, which provides extra control and privacy.
The browser itself is also a crucial component. *Ulaa*, a privacy-focused web browser, is designed to protect data while browsing. With five different modes, the user can choose how much tracking and advertising are allowed. The browser is built with privacy as a starting point, which means that default settings focus on protection, not on collecting data.
Finally, tools such as *Museum of All Things* and *JPEX Free Flash Decompiler* show the diversity of applications on the internet. The first is a 3D museum based on Wikipedia data, in which users can discover millions of topics via a virtual space. It shows how open source content (such as Wikimedia Commons) can be reused in innovative forms. The second tool, *JPEX Free Flash Decompiler*, shows how old internet technologies are preserved and edited. SWF files, once used for animations and games, can be decompiled and converted, which is important for digital heritage.
The internet is therefore not something magical in the air, but a complex, carefully maintained world of protocols, hardware, software, and networks. It works because millions of devices follow the same rules, and because developers continuously work on security, speed, and accessibility. From DNS to HTTP, from VPNs to containers: every component contributes to the experience we have every day, often without thinking about it. Understanding these layers makes us better informed and better protected in an increasingly connected world.