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Technology

How the Internet Works

Follow a digital message from its address to your screen and learn the building blocks of the connected world.

Medium10 questionsAbout 3 minutesNo timer

Follow a digital message from its address to your screen and learn the building blocks of the connected world. Take ten thoughtfully chosen questions at your own pace. Each answer comes with a short explanation to help you connect the facts and remember something new.

Question 1 of 100 correct

What does DNS translate domain names into for common network connections?

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Your question-by-question study guide

Prefer to read, or revisit what you learned? Explore every question below. Open an answer when you’re ready.

1. What does DNS translate domain names into for common network connections?

  • Screen resolutions
  • Battery levels
  • File sizes
  • IP addresses
Reveal answer and explanation

IP addresses — DNS lets people use readable names while computers locate services by network address.

2. What does HTML describe?

  • An image sensor
  • A hard drive's speed
  • The structure of a web page
  • A wireless frequency
Reveal answer and explanation

The structure of a web page — HTML marks up headings, paragraphs, links and other page structures.

3. What is CSS mainly used for?

  • Manufacturing chips
  • Styling web pages
  • Assigning IP addresses
  • Encrypting hard disks
Reveal answer and explanation

Styling web pages — CSS controls presentation, including colors, spacing and layout.

4. What is an email attachment?

  • A file sent with a message
  • An email password
  • A mailbox address
  • A network adapter
Reveal answer and explanation

A file sent with a message — Attachments carry documents, images and other files alongside an email message.

5. What does URL stand for?

  • Universal Routing Language
  • User Reading List
  • Unified Radio Link
  • Uniform Resource Locator
Reveal answer and explanation

Uniform Resource Locator — A URL identifies a resource's location and the scheme used to access it.

6. Which protocol is commonly used to send email between mail servers?

  • USB
  • GPS
  • SMTP
  • HDMI
Reveal answer and explanation

SMTP — The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol transfers outgoing email between servers.

7. What is a hyperlink?

  • A computer fan
  • A reference users can follow to another resource
  • A damaged cable
  • A secret password
Reveal answer and explanation

A reference users can follow to another resource — Hyperlinks connect documents and other resources on the Web.

8. What does open-source software make available under its license?

  • Source code
  • Unlimited free hardware
  • Everyone's private passwords
  • All server electricity
Reveal answer and explanation

Source code — Open-source licenses permit specified uses, modification and redistribution of source code.

9. What is phishing?

  • Compressing audio files
  • Repairing network cables
  • Measuring download speed
  • Deceptive messages seeking sensitive information
Reveal answer and explanation

Deceptive messages seeking sensitive information — Phishing impersonates trusted sources to trick people into revealing information or taking unsafe actions.

10. What is a packet in networking?

  • A website's color palette
  • A monitor's pixel
  • A unit of transmitted data
  • A physical envelope for a router
Reveal answer and explanation

A unit of transmitted data — Networks split messages into packets that carry data and routing information.

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