Internet History, Technology, and Security

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/internet-history

Introduction

### Course Review: Internet History, Technology, and Security on Coursera In an era where technology permeates every corner of our lives, understanding the roots and the mechanics of the Internet is more important than ever. For those interested in expanding their knowledge about the origins, structure, and security of the Internet, the Coursera course titled **Internet History, Technology, and Security** presents an invaluable opportunity. #### Course Overview This course delves into the evolution of Internet technology and its profound impact on culture and society. Designed for learners across the globe, it emphasizes how a sophisticated technological infrastructure has enabled online education and engagement. By demystifying how the Internet operates, the course encourages participants to appreciate the intricate systems that facilitate modern communication and information sharing. #### Syllabus Breakdown The syllabus is thoughtfully curated, exploring various critical themes and milestones in Internet history: 1. **Getting Started**: An introduction that sets the stage for understanding the historical context of the Internet and how its architecture contributes to our present day. 2. **History: Dawn of Electronic Computing**: This section takes students back to the significant technological advancements during World War II, spotlighting influential figures like Alan Turing. The emphasis on early computation underscores the strategic role of technology in warfare and its subsequent civilian applications. 3. **History: The First Internet - NSFNet**: Participants will learn about the research initiatives that birthed packet-switched networks and the formation of the first Internet, a crucial milestone that opened the gateway for academic collaboration. 4. **History: The Web Makes it Easy to Use**: Students will explore the creation and evolution of the World-Wide-Web, including its rocky launch and eventual explosive growth by 1994, marking a pivotal moment in Internet accessibility. 5. **History: Commercialization and Growth**: The course highlights how the late 1990s marked a turning point in digital commerce, featuring companies like Amazon that leveraged the Internet for unprecedented business innovation. 6. **Technology: Internets and Packets**: This part introduces the foundational four-layer model of the Internet, focusing on the lowest layers—Link and Internetwork—which underpin all network functionality. 7. **Technology: Transport Control Protocol (TCP)**: Understanding the reliability of network connections is critical, and this section covers how the Transport layer supports seamless communication. 8. **Technology: Application Protocols**: Here, learners will discover how reliable connections enable the development of essential applications, such as web browsers and email clients. 9. **Security: Encrypting and Signing**: The course dives into data protection techniques, teaching students how to safeguard information and ensure its integrity during transmission. 10. **Security: Web Security**: A practical application of encryption principles, this segment focuses on securing connections on modern web platforms. 11. **Final Exam**: The course culminates in an evaluation that tests the knowledge acquired throughout the lessons. #### Why You Should Enroll **Internet History, Technology, and Security** is a comprehensive course that does an excellent job bridging the gap between technical knowledge and historical context. It is perfect for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of how the Internet shapes our world—from its origins to the intricacies of its operation and security challenges. **Learning Outcomes**: By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of: - The historical milestones that paved the way for the Internet we use today. - The underlying technology that makes Internet communication possible. - Essential security practices to safeguard information in an online environment. **Accessibility**: Offering flexible scheduling and a self-paced format, the course is accessible for beginners as well as those with a technical background. **Expert Instructors**: Learning from knowledgeable educators who provide rich insights into the subject matter enhances the overall learning experience. #### Final Recommendation For anyone interested in technology, computer science, or digital culture, I highly recommend the **Internet History, Technology, and Security** course on Coursera. It combines historical perspective with technical knowledge, making it a rounded educational experience that is as engaging as it is informative. Embark on this journey to not only understand the Internet but to appreciate its transformative role in today’s information-centric society!

Syllabus

Getting Started

Welcome to the class. We will first look at the history of the Internet and Web, followed by a look at how the network works and then examine how we secure information on the Internet and Web.

World War II emphasized the strategic importance of computation, communication, and information. There was unprecedented investment in the development of new technologies during the war. We start with Alan Turing and others at Bletchley Park.

In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a great deal of research done to build the first wide-area packet switched networks for the US Department of Defense. In the 1980s, the first “Internet” was formed to allow academic researchers to access supercomputer resources.

The World-Wide-Web was invented in 1990 but it was not an overnight success. But by 1994 - “the year of the web” - the web was being widely used and Internet usage was growing by leaps and bounds.

The late 1990’s saw the web and Internet used increasingly to revolutionize how business was done. Companies like Amazon were founded and grew very rapidly.

The Internet is designed based on a four-layer model. Each layer builds on the layers below it. The Link and Internetwork layers are the lowest layers of that model.

The Transport layer is built on the Internetwork layer and is what makes our network connections reliable.

With reliable “pipes” available from the Transport layer, we can build applications like web browsers, file transfer applications, or email clients and servers.

Using simple examples, we examing how to shield data from prying eyes and make sure that the data was not altered while in transit.

We apply the basic ideas of encryption and signing to who we actually secure the connections that we use on today’s Web and Internet.