Decoding the Digital World: Understanding How the Internet Works in Everyday Life

Several technologies are fundamental to secure internet use, from the encryption protocols that safeguard data in transit to the secure sockets layer that websites use to protect user information.

A. SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security): These protocols provide secure communications over a computer network, with TLS the updated version of SSL.

B. VPN (Virtual Private Network): Creates a secure connection over the Internet, allowing for private data transfer over public networks.

C. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): A framework of encryption and cybersecurity that protects communications between the server (website) and client (user).

D. Digital Certificates and Signatures: Digital certificates verify the ownership of a public key, while digital signatures ensure the authenticity of a document.