Surfing

Reading documents and visiting websites online is commonly referred to as surfing or browsing. Visiting virtual museums, accessing public government documents, reading complete books and view films are just a few examples of the many ways in which you can use the Internet. The Browser The software program you use to surf this is called a browser. The most commonly used browser is Internet Explorer, however Firefox is also quite popular. To help you choose the browser that best fits your needs, we've lined up a few of the most popular so you can compare. Understanding Web Addresses Every web page has a unique address, called a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). A URL can be broken down into six distinct parts: http://www.cyberangels.org/surf.html * Protocol name In this case, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http) - this is the most common protocol on the Internet. Others include Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (https) and File Transfer Protocol (ftp) and less often gopher or telnet. Location of the site In this case the World Wide Web (www) The domain name This is the unique name that is assigned to an IP address (a numerical address that really identifies the computer this site is stored on). This site is owned by CyberAngels, so we registered the name "Cyberangels.org" to use as the "nickname" for our IP address. Extension Others include .com (commercial), .net (network), .gov (official government site), and .edu (educational institution). Name of the page The name of the specific file - you are currently looking at a web page called surf * Type of document or media This is an html page, other types include pdf, doc, txt, etc. Anatomy of a Website A website is a collection of documents (usually html files). The top page is similar to a table of contents in a book - it lists the contents of the site - but instead of page numbers, it has hyperlinks. Clicking a hyperlink (link, for short) will take you to other pages either within the site or on other websites altogether. Text links will often be underlined, but they aren't always. For example, look at the bottom of this page - the words "Contact Us" are a text link to the contact page on this site. You can tell it is a link by moving your mouse over the words - the cursor turns into a hand. This is true for picture links also - when your mouse hovers above a link, it always turns into a hand. You can click the link, and then use your browser's back button to return to this page. Tips & Tricks Bookmarks and Favorites Your browser has a function that allows you to save the address of websites for easy surfing later - look at the top of the browser for the term "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" and find out how to save your page. Choose your start page When you launch or open a web browser, the first page you see is considered your "start page." Use the tools or preferences menu to change your current start page to any page you like. Additional Resources CERT: Understanding Internationalized Domain Names CERT: How Anonymous Are You? Related Articles Choosing a Browser Your Browser's Cache Cookies Protecting Your Privacy

Reading documents and visiting websites online is commonly referred to as surfing or browsing. Visiting virtual museums, accessing public government documents, reading complete books and view films are just a few examples of the many ways in which you can use the Internet.

The Browser

The software program you use to surf this is called a browser. The most commonly used browser is Internet Explorer, however Firefox is also quite popular. To help you choose the browser that best fits your needs, we've lined up a few of the most popular so you can compare.

Understanding Web Addresses

Every web page has a unique address, called a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). A URL can be broken down into six distinct parts:

http://www.cyberangels.org/surf.html

* Protocol name In this case, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http) - this is the most common protocol on the Internet. Others include Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (https) and File Transfer Protocol (ftp) and less often gopher or telnet.

*Location of the site In this case the World Wide Web (www)

*The domain name This is the unique name that is assigned to an IP address (a numerical address that really identifies the computer this site is stored on). This site is owned by CyberAngels, so we registered the name "Cyberangels.org" to use as the "nickname" for our IP address.

*Extension Others include .com (commercial), .net (network), .gov (official government site), and .edu (educational institution).

* Name of the page The name of the specific file - you are currently looking at a web page called surf

* Type of document or media This is an html page, other types include pdf, doc, txt, etc.

Anatomy of a Website

A website is a collection of documents (usually html files). The top page is similar to a table of contents in a book - it lists the contents of the site - but instead of page numbers, it has hyperlinks. Clicking a hyperlink (link, for short) will take you to other pages either within the site or on other websites altogether. Text links will often be underlined, but they aren't always. For example, look at the bottom of this page - the words "Contact Us" are a text link to the contact page on this site. You can tell it is a link by moving your mouse over the words - the cursor turns into a hand. This is true for picture links also - when your mouse hovers above a link, it always turns into a hand. You can click the link, and then use your browser's back button to return to this page.

Tips & Tricks

Bookmarks and Favorites
Your browser has a function that allows you to save the address of websites for easy surfing later - look at the top of the browser for the term "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" and find out how to save your page.
Choose your start page
When you launch or open a web browser, the first page you see is considered your "start page." Use the tools or preferences menu to change your current start page to any page you like.

Additional Resources

CERT: Understanding Internationalized Domain Names

CERT: How Anonymous Are You?

Related Articles

Choosing a Browser

Your Browser's Cache

Cookies

Protecting Your Privacy

CyberAngels

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Surfing