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Advantages of Internet

Education: Internet has changed the traditional learning system. It is widely used for educational
purposes by scholars, students, and teachers to learn anytime and anywhere. It has shown
dramatic impact on higher education as more universities offer online courses. IGNOU is one of
the universities which offers this facility. Internet is a vast storehouse of information and is also
used to publish research papers and articles.
Convenient Mode of Communication: Internet is a convenient and economical mode of

communication. Users can communicate with each other using various services available on
Internet, like e-mail, chat, video conferencing, instant messenger, etc.
Business: The Internet has brought new opportunities for businesses to offer goods and services
online, which has proved to be beneficial. Meetings can be conducted inexpensively through the
video conferencing facility, without physically visiting the place. Financial transactions can be

made online from the office or home.
E-commerce: It is the concept used for any type of commercial or business deal that involves the
transfer of information across the globe by using the Internet. Nowadays, many companies have
their own portals/websites, which are used for E-commerce. E-commerce industry has become
one of the biggest industries in the world. We can now purchase every possible good and get
services from different shopping portals around the world. It also includes booking tickets for bus,

flight, train, and hotel rooms.
Media and Entertainment: Internet adds value to media and entertainment. Downloading
games, videos, songs, visiting chat rooms, or surfing the web, are some of the uses, which attract
people towards the Internet. Internet also provides the facility to read different newspapers,

magazines, and books online.
Social Networking: It is the latest way to communicate. It offers a platform, where an individual
can connect with friends and strangers on the basis of shared interests or views. Some examples
of social networking sites are: Facebook, X, LinkedIn, My Space, etc.
Forum: In Internet, Forum is an online discussion site where like-minded people can hold

conversations in the form of posted messages.
Health and Fitness: Internet is now playing a healthy role in providing extensive information on
health and fitness. Using various medical sites, one can read more about various diseases, their
cures and precautionary measures.

Disadvantages of Internet

Internet has several advantages for every individual and it is extremely popular in this modern
age. However, it is a tool, which must be handled with caution, as its could be dangerous. Some of
the threats of Internet are as follows:

Virus Threat: Computers that are connected to the Internet are more prone to virus attacks,
which can result in the crashing of systems, data loss, and hardware malfunctioning.
Spamming: It refers to unwanted e-mails, that are of commercial nature, sent indiscriminately to
multiple mailing lists, individuals, or newsgroups. It unnecessarily uses the system's resources
and can also be used to spread computer virus or other malicious software.

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