A Half Century of Internet: How it works today

The Internet connects more than half of the world's population. This revolutionary form of transmitting all kinds of data between places on the planet has made the network of networks the indispensable backbone of societies. The number of users has exploded to four billion people.

The speed of change is dramatic and for some breathtaking. Many well-known and even more unknown personalities have shaped the development of the Internet. However, this exciting success story also reveals the dark sides of this development. What has become of the original hope for a democratization of communication? To what extent has the Internet provided access to better educational opportunities? How do large Internet companies and governments use the Internet? How can you safely communicate over this network?

• Week 1:
  Digitalization of the World (introduction, history, humans in the focus)
• Week 2:
  Computer Networks (bits and bytes, LAN, WLAN, WAN)
• Week 3:
  Network of Networks, internetworking, internet protocols
• Week 4:
  Transport through the Internet
• Week 5:
  Internet Applications (WWW, e-mail, social media)
• Week 6:
  Internet and Web Security (digital identities, cybercrime, risks, precautions)