Internet vs. Extranet — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 15, 2024
The Internet is a global network that connects millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, while an extranet is a controlled private network that allows access to partners, vendors, or selected customers.
Difference Between Internet and Extranet
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Internet is a vast public network that facilitates global data exchange and connectivity, accessible by anyone without specific permissions. On the other hand, an extranet operates as a private extension of an organization's intranet, accessible only to authorized external users, not the general public.
Internet access is open and designed to provide widespread connectivity and information access. Conversely, extranets are designed for restricted access, providing a secure environment for specific business interactions or collaborations with external entities like suppliers, clients, or partners.
The Internet supports a wide range of services and applications, from email and web browsing to file sharing and streaming. Whereas, an extranet is often limited to specific applications tailored for business purposes, such as collaborative projects, supply chain management, or customer relationship management.
Security measures on the Internet vary widely, depending on the provider and the user's personal protections. In contrast, extranets typically have robust security protocols like firewalls, encryption, and user authentication to protect sensitive business data.
The organizational structure of the Internet is decentralized, with no single entity controlling the entire network. However, an extranet is centrally managed by the organization it serves, ensuring controlled access and security tailored to specific business needs.
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Comparison Chart
Accessibility
Public and globally accessible.
Private, limited to specific external users.
Purpose
General information exchange and communication.
Specific business functions and collaborations.
Security
Varies, generally less controlled.
High, with strict access control and security measures.
Control
Decentralized, no single authority.
Centrally managed by the owning organization.
Users
Unlimited, anyone can access.
Restricted to authorized external stakeholders.
Compare with Definitions
Internet
A global network connecting millions of private, public, and government networks.
Accessing a website from anywhere in the world is possible through the Internet.
Extranet
Requires secure and controlled access through authentication and encryption.
Extranet users must often log in with credentials provided by the business that operates the extranet.
Internet
Has a vast reach and can be accessed via various technologies including broadband, Wi-Fi, and mobile data.
The Internet's accessibility via smartphones has greatly increased its use.
Extranet
A private network that uses Internet technologies to securely share part of a business's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses.
A company may use an extranet to share product information and inventory data with its suppliers.
Internet
Functions through a cooperative collection of networks using standardized protocols.
The Internet operates on protocols like TCP/IP to ensure data is transmitted seamlessly across networks.
Extranet
Often involves VPN (Virtual Private Network) technologies to ensure secure communications.
Extranets commonly use VPNs to encrypt data exchanges between the business and authorized external users.
Internet
Facilitates a wide range of services including email, web, FTP, and VoIP.
People use the Internet to send emails, share files, and stream videos.
Extranet
Can be part of a company's intranet that is extended to users outside the company.
A company's extranet might include access to training materials for independent contractors.
Internet
The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a network of networks that consists of private, public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies.
Extranet
Designed to facilitate collaboration and improve efficiency in business processes.
An extranet can be used to facilitate real-time project updates and communications between a company and its external contractors.
Internet
A publicly accessible system of networks that connects computers around the world via the TCP/IP protocol.
Extranet
An extranet is a controlled private network that allows access to partners, vendors and suppliers or an authorized set of customers – normally to a subset of the information accessible from an organization's intranet. An extranet is similar to a DMZ in that it provides access to needed services for authorized parties, without granting access to an organization's entire network.
Internet
Alternative case form of Internet
Extranet
An extension of an institution's intranet, especially over the World Wide Web, enabling communication between the institution and people it deals with, often by providing limited access to its intranet.
Internet
(uncountable) Internet access or connection; internet connectivity.
Do you have internet at your place? My internet is down and I want to check my email.
Hello everyone, this is your daily dose of internet.
Extranet
(computing) A private computer network that uses Internet protocols and can be accessed by authorized individuals via the Internet.
Internet
(countable)
Internet
Any set of computer networks that communicate using the Internet Protocol; an intranet.
Internet
A fictitious unit of scoring awarded for making outstanding posts on the internet.
Internet
To use the Internet; specifically, to search for information using the Internet.
Having no idea what that means, I am internetting like mad.
Internet
To entwine or link (several things) together, so as to form a network; to interconnect, to network.
Internet
To connect (a computer, an electronic device, etc.) into a computer network (in particular, the Internet).
Internet
A large network{3} of numerous computers connected through a number of major nodes of high-speed computers having high-speed communications channels between the major nodes, and numerous minor nodes allowing electronic communication among millions of computers around the world; - usually referred to as the internet. It is the basis for the World-Wide Web.
Internet
A computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
Internet
Open to all users without specific permissions or authentications.
Anyone with an Internet connection can search for information on Google.
Common Curiosities
How does an extranet differ from an intranet?
An extranet is an extension of an intranet that allows access to selected external users, whereas an intranet is strictly confined to internal employees of an organization.
Can the general public access an extranet?
No, extranets are restricted to authorized users such as business partners, clients, or vendors, and are not available to the general public.
What types of security measures are common with extranets?
Common security measures for extranets include firewalls, encryption, user authentication, and sometimes VPNs to ensure data integrity and privacy.
What is the main difference between the Internet and an extranet?
The main difference is accessibility: the Internet is public and global, while an extranet is private and access is restricted to authorized external users.
How can a company set up an extranet?
A company can set up an extranet by configuring its existing network infrastructure to extend certain parts of its intranet to external users through secure, controlled access points.
How does an extranet enhance external business communications?
An extranet enhances communication by providing a secure, reliable platform for sharing critical business information and collaborating on projects in real-time.
How do businesses benefit from using an extranet?
Businesses benefit from extranets by enhancing collaboration, streamlining supply chain management, and improving customer relations through controlled sharing of information and resources.
Are extranets expensive to maintain?
The cost of maintaining an extranet can vary widely depending on the scale, security requirements, and complexity of the services provided.
Who typically manages an extranet?
An extranet is managed by the organization that owns it, which is responsible for maintaining its security, providing user access, and ensuring that it serves its intended business functions.
What protocols do extranets use to ensure secure communication?
Extranets often use HTTPS, VPNs, and other encryption protocols to secure data transmitted between the business and its external users.
What are some common uses of an extranet?
Common uses include sharing sensitive financial documents, collaborative project management, and facilitating communication between a company and its external stakeholders.
How do extranets support remote work?
Extranets support remote work by allowing external team members or employees to access necessary work resources securely from any location.
What challenges can arise with extranet implementation?
Challenges may include ensuring adequate security measures, managing user access rights, and maintaining the extranet's hardware and software infrastructure.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
