Internet, Web Browsing and Digital Communication
Domain 3: Internet, Web Browsing and Digital Communication
This domain checks whether you understand the Internet as a network of networks, the World Wide Web as a service on it, and safe, effective digital communication. Questions commonly cover URL structure, browsers, search techniques, email fields, attachments, and netiquette.
Core rules and concepts
- The Internet is the global infrastructure; the WWW is a collection of linked web pages accessed by HTTP/HTTPS. An ISP provides connectivity. DNS translates domain names into IP addresses.
- A URL has parts: protocol (https://), domain (www.example.com), path (/resources/page.html), and optional query (?id=10). HTTPS encrypts traffic; HTTP does not.
- Browsers provide address bar, tabs, bookmarks, history, downloads, and private/incognito mode. Search operators: quotes for exact phrase, minus to exclude, site: to restrict a domain.
- Email fields: To (primary recipients), Cc (visible copy), Bcc (hidden copy). Attachments should be scanned and within size limits. Use clear subject lines and professional tone.
- Digital communication includes email, chat, video conferencing, forums, and cloud collaboration. Netiquette: no ALL CAPS, quote selectively, respect privacy.
Worked example
Question: You must email a fee receipt to 30 parents without revealing their addresses. Which field do you use? Reasoning: Put your own address or a no-reply in To, and all parent addresses in Bcc. Cc would display every address to everyone, breaching privacy. The correct choice is Bcc.
Traps that cost marks
Do not say the Internet and WWW are the same. Do not place sensitive recipients in Cc when privacy is required. Do not treat “https” as optional in forms. Downloading is bringing data to your device; uploading is sending it away. A bookmark saves a link, not the page content.