Toshiba Portege 2010 User Guide 1 - Page 72

72 Learning the Basics An overview of using the Internet Internet Service Providers To connect a computer directly to the Internet, many people and businesses use an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP is a company that has the equipment and the telecommunication lines necessary to maintain an Internet connection. You can connect to the Internet by using a telephone and modem or through other higher-speed communication methods such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), cable, and satellite links. Connecting to the Internet To connect to the Internet, you need: ❖ A modem ❖ A Web browser ❖ A telephone line ❖ An Internet Service Provider (ISP) account Microsoft's Web browser, Internet Explorer, is automatically configured on your system so that when you first start it, it guides you through signing up for a new ISP account. Once you have established an ISP account, you can access the Internet. 1 Connect your computer's modem to a telephone line. 2 Have your modem dial the ISP's telephone number, and establish a connection with the ISP's computer. If you are using your computer at the office, then you probably connect to the Internet through your company's network. See your network administrator about connecting to the Internet.