The internet connects your computer to millions of others around the world, so you can read the news, watch a recipe, apply for a job, or message your family far away. It sounds big, but using it is simple once you know a few basics. In this module we go one small step at a time — connecting to Wi-Fi, opening a browser, searching, and setting up your very own email account. Try each step on a real device as you read, and don't worry about making mistakes; you can't break the internet.
1What is the internet? How Wi-Fi and connectivity work
The internet is a giant network that links computers and phones all over the world. When you go online, your device talks to other computers (called servers) that store websites, videos and emails, and sends the information back to your screen.
To reach the internet your device needs a connection. The most common way at home is Wi-Fi — a wireless signal sent out by a small box called a router (your internet company gives you one). Wi-Fi lets your phone or laptop connect without any cables.
Connect a laptop to Wi-Fi
- The internet links your device to servers worldwide that hold websites, videos and email.
- Wi-Fi is a wireless signal from a router; mobile data comes from your phone's SIM.
- To join Wi-Fi: click the Wi-Fi icon, pick your network, type the password, click Connect.
2Using a web browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox
A web browser is the program you use to look at websites. Think of it as a window onto the internet. The most popular ones are Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox. They all work in very similar ways, so once you learn one, the others feel familiar.
To open a browser, find its icon on the desktop or taskbar and double-click it. Chrome's icon is a colourful circle, Edge is a blue-green swirl, and Firefox is an orange fox around a globe.
Every browser has the same key buttons across the top:
- Address bar — the long box in the middle where you type a website address or a search.
- Back (◀) and Forward (▶) — go to the page you were on before, or return again.
- Reload (a circular arrow) — loads the current page fresh if it looks stuck.
- Tabs — the rows at the very top that let you keep several pages open at once (more on these soon).
- A web browser (Chrome, Edge or Firefox) is the program that shows you websites.
- The address bar in the middle is where you type a website address or a search.
- Back, Forward and Reload buttons help you move around and refresh pages.
3Understanding website addresses (URLs)
Every website has its own address, called a URL (it stands for Uniform Resource Locator, but nobody needs to remember that). A URL is like a postal address for a web page — type it correctly and you arrive at the right place.
Take a real example: https://www.google.com. It breaks into parts:
- https:// — tells the browser how to connect. The s means secure (your connection is private). You'll often see a small padlock icon next to it.
- www.google — the name of the website itself.
- .com — the type of site. Common endings:
.com(companies),.org(organisations),.gov.in(Indian government),.edu(schools and colleges).
g00gle.com (with zeros) to trick people. We cover staying safe online in detail in Module 6.To visit a site, click the address bar, type the full address (for example www.irctc.co.in) and press Enter.
- A URL is a website's address; type it in the address bar and press Enter to visit.
- https:// with a padlock means a secure, private connection.
- The ending shows the type of site: .com, .org, .gov.in, .edu — check spelling carefully.
4Searching effectively using Google
You won't always know a website's address — and you don't need to. A search engine finds pages for you. Google is the most popular. Go to www.google.com, type what you're looking for in the search box, and press Enter.
The trick is to use clear keywords — the important words — instead of long sentences. Compare these:
| Instead of typing… | Try… |
|---|---|
| "I want to know what the weather will be like in Delhi tomorrow" | weather Delhi tomorrow |
| "How can I make tea at home please" | how to make masala chai recipe |
| "Where do I apply for a new passport" | apply passport India online |
Google shows a list of results — blue clickable links, each with a short description. Click a link to open that page; use the Back button to return to the list and try another.
- A search engine like Google finds pages for you — go to google.com and type your question.
- Use short keywords (weather Delhi tomorrow), not full sentences, for better results.
- Results marked "Sponsored" or "Ad" are paid adverts — scroll past them to the normal results.
5Bookmarks, tabs, and browser history
Three handy features make browsing faster: tabs, bookmarks and history.
Tabs — many pages, one window
A tab lets you keep several pages open side by side, like pages in a folder. Click the small + at the top of the browser to open a new tab. Switch between them by clicking each tab; close one with its little ✕.
Bookmarks — save your favourite sites
A bookmark saves a website so you can return without typing the address again — like a sticky note on a useful page.
History — pages you've already visited
Your browser quietly keeps a history — a list of pages you've visited recently. If you forgot to bookmark a page, you can usually find it again here. In Chrome, click the three dots (⋮) at the top-right, then History.
- Tabs let you keep several pages open at once; click + to open one, ✕ to close it.
- Bookmark a page with the star (☆) so you can return without retyping the address.
- History lists pages you've visited recently — find them again, or clear it on a shared computer.
6Setting up an email account (Gmail)
Email (short for electronic mail) lets you send written messages to anyone in the world in seconds — for free. You need email to apply for jobs, sign up for websites, and receive bills and tickets. Gmail, made by Google, is one of the most popular and is free.
Your email address is unique to you and looks like yourname@gmail.com. The @ symbol (say "at") always separates your chosen name from gmail.com.
Create your Gmail account
www.gmail.com and click Create account, then choose For my personal use.- Email sends written messages worldwide in seconds, for free; Gmail is a popular free option.
- An email address looks like yourname@gmail.com — the @ separates your name from gmail.com.
- When creating an account, pick a username and a strong, private password you keep secret.
7Writing, sending, replying, and forwarding emails
Once your inbox is open, sending an email is straightforward. Your Inbox holds messages you receive; click any one to read it.
Write and send a new email
ramesh.kumar@gmail.com.Here's what a simple, friendly email looks like:
Subject: Meeting on Friday
Dear Ramesh,
I hope you are well. Are we still meeting at 4 pm on Friday at the community hall? Please let me know.
Thank you,
Priya
Reply and Forward
- Reply — answers the person who wrote to you. Open their email and click Reply; the To box fills in automatically, so you just type your answer and Send.
- Reply all — answers everyone on the message at once. Use it only when everyone really needs your reply.
- Forward — passes an email you received on to someone else. Click Forward, type their address in To, and Send.
- Click Compose, fill in To, Subject and your message, then click Send.
- Reply answers the sender; Reply all answers everyone; Forward passes a message to someone new.
- Always write a clear Subject line so your email isn't missed or mistaken for spam.
8Attaching files to emails
An attachment is a file you send along with your email — a photo, a document, or a scanned form. It's how you email your CV to an employer or send a picture to family.
Attach a file in Gmail
.pdf), photos (.jpg) and documents (.docx).- An attachment is a file (photo, CV, document) you send along with your email.
- Click the paperclip, choose your file, wait for it to upload, then Send.
- Mention the attachment in your message, and use Google Drive for files over 25 MB.
9Filling in online forms (government sites, job portals)
Many everyday tasks now happen online — applying for a document, registering for a service, or sending a job application. These use online forms: boxes on a web page you fill in and submit, instead of writing on paper.
Forms use a few common types of field:
| Field | What to do |
|---|---|
| Text box | Click inside and type (your name, address, etc.). |
| Drop-down | Click the little arrow and choose from a list (for example, your state). |
| Checkbox ☐ | Click to tick it — often to agree to terms. |
| Radio button ◯ | Click to pick one choice from a group (for example, Male / Female). |
| Upload | Click Choose file to attach a photo or document, as you learned with attachments. |
Press the Tab key to jump neatly from one box to the next. A red star * next to a field means it's required — you must fill it in. When everything is done, click Submit.
passportindia.gov.in or income tax at incometax.gov.in. Look for the .gov.in ending and the padlock. Never pay a stranger who offers to "do it for you".- Online forms replace paper: type in text boxes, pick from drop-downs, tick checkboxes.
- A red star * means a field is required; press Tab to move between fields, then click Submit.
- For official tasks use the genuine .gov.in site with a padlock — never pay a stranger to do it.
10Downloading files, images, and documents safely
To download means to copy a file from the internet onto your own computer — a ticket, a form, a photo, or a document. Most browsers save downloads into a folder called Downloads, ready for you to open.
Download a document
Save an image from a web page
- Downloading copies a file from the web to your computer; it usually lands in the Downloads folder.
- Right-click an image and choose "Save image as…" to keep a picture.
- Only download from trusted sites; ignore prize pop-ups and files from unknown senders.
★ Practical Task — Get online and connected
Put this module into practice on a real computer or phone. There's nothing to submit — the goal is to do each step yourself and feel confident going online.
- Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network using the password.
- Open a browser and search Google for "weather in your town" — read today's forecast.
- Visit a useful website (for example a news site) and bookmark it with the star.
- Create a free Gmail account, choosing a username and a strong password.
- Send yourself an email with a clear subject, then open it in your Inbox and Reply.
- Attach a photo or document to a second email and send it to yourself.
- Download a file or save an image from a trusted website into your Downloads folder.
Ready to test yourself?
Take the short module quiz. Score 60% or more to mark this module complete.
Start the quiz →💡 Log in to save your progress and earn the certificate.