Internet vs. Www — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 13, 2024
The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers, enabling data and resource sharing, while the World Wide Web (WWW) is a service built on the Internet that uses browsers and URLs to access websites and documents.
Difference Between Internet and Www
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Internet is a massive network that connects millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks from local to global scopes, using a variety of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies. The World Wide Web, on the other hand, is one of the services accessed via the Internet, primarily concerned with information sharing in the form of websites and webpages.
While the Internet facilitates a wide range of data communication services like email, file sharing, and online gaming, the WWW specifically uses HTTP or HTTPS protocols to transmit data. This makes the WWW an application layer protocol that uses the Internet's infrastructure to operate.
The Internet was developed in the 1960s to support projects within the United States Department of Defense, while the World Wide Web was created in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN. The WWW was designed to meet the demand for automated information-sharing between scientists in universities and institutes around the world.
Regarding usability, the Internet provides the backbone and necessary protocols for many different services, of which the WWW is just one. In contrast, the WWW provides users with a graphical and hyperlinked experience on the Internet through web browsers.
Accessing the Internet might involve various tools and interfaces depending on the services required, such as FTP clients for file transfers or email clients for email. Meanwhile, accessing the WWW typically involves using a web browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to view web pages that may contain text, images, videos, and other multimedia content.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Global system of interconnected computer networks.
System of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet.
Protocols Used
TCP/IP, FTP, SMTP, and more.
HTTP, HTTPS.
Invention Year
1960s
1989
Primary Use
Diverse: email, file sharing, gaming, etc.
Information sharing through webpages and websites.
Access Tools
Various clients and tools based on service.
Web browsers.
Compare with Definitions
Internet
A global network connecting millions of private, public, and academic networks.
The Internet made it possible to access information and communicate globally within seconds.
Www
An information-sharing model built on top of the Internet.
The WWW allows us to browse websites and communicate over the Internet with ease.
Internet
Infrastructure enabling various digital communication and data sharing services.
Businesses rely on the Internet for everyday operations from communication to data storage.
Www
Dominated by HTTP and HTTPS protocols.
Secure browsing on the WWW is facilitated by HTTPS, ensuring data is encrypted.
Internet
Not synonymous with the World Wide Web.
While the Internet provides the infrastructure, services like the WWW are built on top of it.
Www
Utilizes browsers to access web pages and applications.
Without the WWW, we wouldn't have access to websites through browsers.
Internet
Supports multiple layers of services and applications.
The Internet's versatility supports everything from simple email exchanges to complex cloud computing.
Www
Focuses on the hyperlink as a basic unit of information.
Hyperlinks connect the vast amount of information on the WWW.
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.
Www
Made up of web servers and clients like browsers.
Every time you use a search engine, you are accessing the WWW through a web client.
Internet
A publicly accessible system of networks that connects computers around the world via the TCP/IP protocol.
Www
Alternative case form of WWWwhen used as a high-level qualifier in a website address
Internet
Alternative case form of Internet
Www
Computer network consisting of a collection of internet sites that offer text and graphics and sound and animation resources through the hypertext transfer protocol
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.
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
Encompasses a broad range of information and communication technologies.
Streaming services are one of the many utilities facilitated by the Internet.
Common Curiosities
What is the World Wide Web?
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed through the Internet.
What protocols are used by the WWW?
The WWW primarily uses HTTP and HTTPS protocols.
How do the Internet and WWW differ in usage?
The Internet encompasses a broader range of services, while the WWW is specifically designed for accessing web pages.
Can you use the WWW without the Internet?
No, the WWW is a service that requires the Internet to function.
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a vast network that connects smaller networks globally using various technologies.
Can the Internet exist without the WWW?
Yes, the Internet can and does support many services beyond the WWW.
What is the significance of HTTP in the WWW?
HTTP is the foundational protocol used by the WWW to format and transmit data.
Who invented the Internet?
The Internet evolved from projects funded by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1960s.
Is email part of the WWW?
No, email uses different Internet protocols and is not part of the WWW.
What are examples of Internet services other than the WWW?
Examples include FTP for file transfers, SMTP for email, and VoIP for voice communication.
What is required to access the WWW?
A device with an Internet connection and a web browser are required to access the WWW.
How does the WWW work?
The WWW works by utilizing web browsers to access websites via URLs that link to web servers.
Who invented the WWW?
The WWW was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 at CERN.
What impact has the WWW had on information access?
The WWW has greatly facilitated the ease and speed of accessing information globally.
Are web pages and websites the same thing?
No, a web page is a single document, typically HTML, accessible on the WWW, while a website is a collection of related web pages.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
