The internet is the global network infrastructure that connects computers and other devices. The World Wide Web is one service that operates through the internet, allowing users to access linked pages and resources with web browsers.
This distinction is part of 3.4 Networks and the internet, which is shared by SL and HL students.
| Internet | World Wide Web |
|---|---|
| A global system of interconnected computer networks | A collection of interlinked websites and digital resources |
| Connects devices through physical and wireless infrastructure, including cables, routers, servers and satellites | Uses the internet to transfer and display web content |
| Relies on networking standards and protocols such as TCP/IP | Primarily relies on HTTP or HTTPS |
| Supports many services, including email, online gaming, file transfer, voice calls and the web | Accessed through browsers such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari |
When a user enters a URL into a browser, the browser identifies the relevant web server. Data then travels between the client device and server across the internet, while HTTP or HTTPS controls the request and transfer of the web resource. The browser interprets the received data and displays the web page.
Therefore, the internet existed before the web and can function without it. Email, for example, uses internet infrastructure but is not part of the World Wide Web, even though webmail services provide browser-based access to email.
A common misconception is that the internet and the web are interchangeable terms. This is incorrect: the internet is the underlying network of networks, while the web is an information-sharing service built on that infrastructure.
Exam technique: For a command term such as distinguish, state a clear difference and refer to both terms throughout. A strong answer identifies the internet as infrastructure, the web as a service, and supports the distinction with protocols or examples rather than simply saying that they are “different.”
