The Impact of the Internet on People

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The Impact of the Internet on People

The Internet has had a large impact on businesses, countries, and individuals. The Internet first started out as a research tool for Universities and now has become the "information freeway". The Internet has created problems for some companies and has helped other companies. The Internet has caused problems with individuals but has also helped many individuals.

The research on sending information from computer to computer began in the 1960s. The United States Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) funded the research project known as ARPA. In the 1980s, large commercial companies began to use TCP/IP to build private internets. The ARAP investigated hypertext and created tools to allow users to browse menus. In 1989, the technologies were put together to for the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web was opened to public use and became a huge success in the early 1990s.

"Within a few years, the Internet will turn business upside down. Be prepared-or die, says Matthew Symonds". (The Economist) The companies have made businesses, such as Amazon.com and eBay, a great deal of money. Through Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) a customer can go through a pick what they want without getting out of the house. An individual is able to find almost anything he/she wants or he/she can request anything they want off the internet. The Internet has helped companies' lower costs of their goods across the board. The companies can enter new markets, create more sources of income, and redefine partnerships and relationships. With access to online services, the smaller companies are able to project to a bigger audience. Stockholders in companies are able to access the finances of the business online and many companies are able to attract new stockholders and investors through posting their financial statements online.

The downside of the Internet for business is the increase of identity thief, hackers, and dissatisfaction with the product. Customers are more vulnerable to having their information stolen through online transactions in the 1990s. Security measures and consumer awareness has decreased the access to the information over recent years. Hackers that hack into websites and change the prices of products are also a problem. The business may not know of a price error until the purchase has been processed.

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