Reference: Internet-What is it?

The Internet is a cooperative connection of smaller regional networks scattered throughout the world. Basically, it's a giant mass of computers connected to one another by cables and satellite links.

The Internet has been evolving since the 1960's. Its roots are found in efforts sponsored by government and educational institutions, but is now accessible to everyone with access to an Internet connection, anywhere in the world.

No one actually owns the Internet, but each site owns its own connection - a computer and an access connection. It is almost impossible to estimate how many people are connected to the Internet. Research figures range from 18 to 40 million users! We do know that the numbers are increasing at a tremendous rate.

On the other hand, an Intranet is a private network that looks and works like the Internet, but is NOT available to the public Internet. For example, an Intranet could be a collection of networks owned and operated by a company. They could then provide an internal Site that supplies company information, database facilities, sales statistics, and memos - all hyperlinked by use of HTTP concepts.

Unlike the Internet, an Intranet is typically owned and operated by an individual organization. Initially, Intranets were not connected to the Internet, but over the last few years, more and more companies have made their Intranet's available to their personnel over the public Internet lines via Password protection.

We greatly respect many of the organizations that contribute to the overall growth of the Internet's dynamic environment, including the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Their History page is a great place to start looking for more Internet information.