Internet & Email Lesson: How to Use It

Lesson Overview

• Understanding the Internet
• Accessing the Internet from a Computer
• What is the World Wide Web?
• Understanding Email
• Cybersecurity and Antivirus Software
• Practice Questions
• Key Takeaway:

The Internet and email are essential digital tools in modern education, communication, and daily life. Understanding how to use them correctly, safely, and effectively empowers students to explore, learn, and communicate with confidence. This lesson is designed to prepare you with the foundational knowledge of browsing the Internet and managing email responsibly, focusing on the concepts assessed in the quiz you will take afterward.

Understanding the Internet

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a global network that connects computers, mobile devices, and other electronic systems to share information. It allows users to visit websites, search for information, watch videos, play games, and send messages. You access the Internet through a browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.

Key Concept:
A browser is a software application that lets you visit websites and access content on the World Wide Web.

Accessing the Internet from a Computer

In school, you typically access the Internet using a computer connected to a network. You do this by opening a browser like Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. The browser acts as a window to the Internet.

Common Web Browsers

What is the World Wide Web?

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of websites and documents linked together and accessible through the Internet. The "www" prefix is often seen at the start of website addresses and stands for World Wide Web. Each website has its own unique address known as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

Remember: The Internet is the network that connects computers. The World Wide Web is the system of websites that you access using the Internet.

Using the Address Bar and Search Engines

A. What is an Address Bar?

The address bar is a text box in your web browser where you type a website's URL. You use the address bar when you already know the exact web address.

B. What is a Search Engine?

When you don't know a specific website address, you can use a search engine to help you find it. A search engine like Google or Bing lets you type in keywords (like "weather today") and then gives you a list of related websites.

Table: Address Bar vs Search Engine

Understanding Links (Hyperlinks)

A link (short for hyperlink) is a word, phrase, or image on a webpage that, when clicked, takes you to another page. Links are often underlined and colored blue. Clicking a link helps you explore new content without typing a URL manually.

Example: Clicking on the text "Our Solar System" might take you to a science article with information about planets.

How to Close a Web Browser

Once you are done using the Internet, you should close each open web page by clicking the red and white cross (X) in the top-right corner of the browser window. This helps maintain computer security and keeps your sessions private.

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Understanding Email

What is Email?

Email, short for electronic mail, is a way to send and receive messages using the Internet. It is faster than regular mail and allows users to send not just text, but also images, documents, and other files.

Logging Into Your Email Account

To open your email account, you need:

• Your email address (like [email protected])
  
• Your password (a secret word or code that protects your account)
  

Both are necessary to keep your account private and safe from unauthorized access.

Important Tip: Never share your password with anyone except a trusted adult.

Recognizing the "@" Symbol in Email Addresses

Every email address contains the "@" symbol, which separates your username from the email provider's name.
Example:
[email protected]
Here, student123 is the username and gmail.com is the domain.

Using Email Safely on Shared Computers

When signing into your email on a public or shared computer (like in the library or computer lab), a pop-up might ask:
"Do you want your password to be remembered?"

Always choose "No" on shared computers to prevent others from accessing your personal email.

Understanding the Inbox and Email Folders

Your Inbox is where new and incoming messages arrive. Other folders include:

• Sent Items: Emails you've sent.
  
• Drafts: Emails you started but haven't sent yet.
  
• Trash or Deleted Items: Emails you've removed.
  
• Junk or Spam: Emails that are unwanted or possibly dangerous.
  

Handling Unknown Emails

Sometimes you might get emails from people or companies you don't recognize. If such emails contain attachments (like photos or files), delete them immediately.

Why?
Attachments from strangers might contain viruses or malware, even if you have antivirus software.

Key Rule: If you don't know who sent the email, don't open any links or attachments.

Sending Emails to One or More People

You can send an email to:

• One person (write their address in the "To" field)
  
• Multiple people (add more addresses in the "To," "CC," or "BCC" fields)
  

CC = Carbon Copy: Sends a copy to others, visible to everyone
BCC = Blind Carbon Copy: Sends a copy to others, but no one can see who else got it

Email Attachments

An email attachment is any file you send along with your message. These may include:

• Pictures
  
• PDF documents
  
• Word files
  
• Videos
  
• Audio recordings
  

It is not limited to just photos. You can attach nearly any file that the email provider supports (usually under a size limit).

Cybersecurity and Antivirus Software

Why Do We Need Antivirus Software?

Antivirus software protects your computer from threats like:

• Viruses: Harmful programs that can destroy files
  
• Malware: Software that tries to steal your data
  
• Spyware: Programs that secretly track your activities
  

You need antivirus always, not just when shopping or using email. It works silently in the background to keep your device safe.

Example: If you download a game from an unsafe website, antivirus software can detect and block hidden viruses in the file.

Practice Questions

1. Why should you use a search engine instead of guessing a website address?
   Think about how much easier it is to find information using keywords.
   
2. What are the risks of saving your password on a school computer?
   Could someone else read your emails if they have access?
   
3. How do email folders help you stay organized?
   What could happen if all your emails were mixed together in one place?
   
4. If you get a link in an email asking you to log in somewhere, what should you do?
   How can you tell if it's a trick to steal your password?
   

Key Takeaway:

Mastering the Internet and email gives you the ability to research, learn, and communicate effectively in a digital world. Understanding web browsers, search engines, email structure, attachments, and online safety prepares you not only for your quiz but for using these tools responsibly throughout your life. By learning how to avoid online threats, manage your accounts safely, and use technology with purpose, you become a smarter digital citizen.

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