The Internet became an idea long before it ever became real. In the 1950s, when computers were just becoming a real thing, a UCLA computer science professor sent a message over a computer network and this was the first concept of the Internet that was introduced to the general public. Let’s explore the internet history.
The History of The Internet
In 1960, a global network pioneer named J.C.R. Licklider wrote in an academic paper that a network of connected computers could provide the same access to information that libraries can provide. In 1962, Licklider began working to connect computers for the United States Department of Defense. Afterwards, he concentrated his efforts on doing more research into the subject of computer science. This research led to the installation of network terminals in Santa Monica’s System Development Corporation, the University of California Berkley’s Project Genie and the MIT project known as the Compatible Time-Sharing System.
Internet History has been a subject that has fascinated people for decades. Starting at the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s computer scientists were working to develop computer networks such as Telenet and the Merit Network through the use of protocols.
Merit Network began in 1966 as a way to further explore computer networking used by three public universities in Michigan. This network was supported by both the state itself and the National Science Foundation. In the fall of 1972, the Merit Network connected a CDC mainframe to the computers of Michigan State University. A few years later the network started supporting connections between terminal computers and hosting computers.
1982 saw the standardization of TCP/IP networks. The year prior, ARPANET access was expanded to the Computer Science Network, which was developed by the National Science Foundation. By the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s, commercial Internet providers were slowly entering the market. In the mid-1990s the commercialization of the Internet was at its height.
Ever since the 90s, the Internet has been having a huge impact on the culture of the United States. Instant communication has become a way of life for many people due to the availability of email and VoiP calls, among other things. Both education and research have been enhanced due to the technology the Internet provides consumers with. This is due to the fact that the Internet makes it very easy to transfer data from its source to the public.
In 1993 only 1% of the information that could have been shared over the Internet actually was. By 2000, this had increased to 51% and by 2007 it had increased to 97%.
Before the Internet was ever a thought in anyone’s head, the telegraph system was the first type of system that used technology to communicate information. Telegraph systems were first used in the 19th century and therefore, are considered a precursor of the Internet that people know today. In the 19th century, data communication was in its infancy and, therefore, little was known about it. Telex machines were considered the early version of computers.
At the beginning of the 20th-century informative theory and data, the transmission was being studied and theoretical work fundamental to the future was being executed. The earliest computers used the technology that had previously been discovered to facilitate communication from central processing units to remote terminals. as new advances in technology were discovered, the ways in which electronic communications took place changed. These changes meant that a larger amount of information could be transmitted and it could be transmitted at faster speeds than were possible before.
At this point in history, it was not safe for military personnel to use this type of digital communication because there was too much of a chance that sensitive information could be intercepted by those that are not authorized to see it.
Internet History is so diverse due to the many advances throughout the decades. Hard work, research and testing all helped lead to the discovery of the Internet that people know today. From its beginnings to the present day time, the Internet has changed the way people communicate and learn. It has made things possible that never were before and has benefitted people all over the country, whether they use the Internet for professional or personal reasons.
The Average Person’s Guide to Erasing Internet History
Since 1995, when the Internet was commercialized and the use of the Internet subsequently became immensely popular, privacy has disappeared. Like the fairy tale story of Hansel and Gretel, leaving bread crumbs behind to mark where they walked through the woods, the mere use of the Internet or the mere existence of public records about a person or their kids create “informational bread crumbs”, which show who the people are, where they have been in cyberspace, and reveal vast information about them, which was once considered extremely private. To the uninformed, this is surprising, even shocking. Not only does what a person does on the Internet create these files but simply being a person with records of anything in any database connected to the Internet creates an Internet history with or without anyone’s direct permission.
Privacy Once Considered Automatic, is Now an Active Pursuit
The electronic communication system, known as the Internet, has done wonders to spread information globally. Information itself is neutral. The possible misuse of information is the true concern.
Info-Generation Gap
Online privacy expectations differ significantly depending on the age group. A 2009 study, written by Seounmi Youn called “Determinants of Online Privacy Concern and Its Influence on Privacy Protection Behaviors Among Young Adolescents” makes it very clear adolescent youth are online in vast numbers and are more easily influenced by marketing messages. Anyone, who is under the age of approximately 25 at this moment, has no expectation of privacy at all.
In fact, it is quite the opposite. The young people literally put everything about themselves, what they are thinking and what they are doing in some database, which is available for access by the public using the Internet. This is the equivalent of allowing a big electronic billboard above a house where the children can post anything. Is there a reason for the alarm? Yes and No. The young people do not see this as a problem at all. They are very comfortable with sharing intimate details with others, regardless of who sees them. Older people, like their parents, see big problems such as public exposure. It really is a matter of perspective.
Right now, there is an ongoing massive global cultural shift. Prior to the existence of the global Internet, the things a person did in their youth, which did not create a criminal record, such as getting drunk at a party, had no permanent public record at all. Nowadays, anyone at the same type of party may videotape the same youth getting just as drunk, and post the videos on YouTube or Facebook etc. The question is, which is more honest?: 1) Being able to do these things in secret in the past or; 2) Having everything like this revealed to the whole world? For this article’s purpose, we shall assume information already exists on the Internet, which is not to our liking, and give steps to help remove it or at least hide it from public view.
Active Steps to Eliminate, Search, Remove Internet History Information
Elimination of the Record Creation – How to Delete Internet History
The only way to completely eliminate information, which is given voluntarily, is never to give the information in the first place. If one wants to take the most severe action in this regard, the rule is never to use any “free” services on the Internet. Obviously, this means almost a complete disconnect from the Internet because the vast majority of services offered appear to be “free.” Examples include 1) any of the “free” email providers such as Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and others; 2) Any of the “free” search engines especially Google which is the most popular, and 3) closing all accounts on any social media such as Facebook or Twitter. These are the steps for Internet activity removal. Pay for privacy and do not use “free” services which have support from advertisers and behind-the-scenes are often government spying systems.
The second step is to shut down any public access to records. For example, it is possible to close access to credit files, maintained by the three main data providers in the USA which are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion by sending them a letter requesting the locking of the files. Please exercise caution when using this method because so many companies use these databases to verify a person. This is problematic when renting a place to live or applying for a job. Specific written approval for access to the information is required for locked files. There is usually a fee for allowing access to the information.
Search – How to Erase Internet History
Let’s say the problem is the information is already on the Internet. The first step is to find it with a massive search effort. Imagine you are a police detective or a skip tracer (a person looking for a missing person who did not pay the bills). Use the Internet as a tool to collect as much information as you can possibly find out about what you are searching for.
Here are some tips for searching for items to put in the search engine:
1) Use the name of the person, nicknames and parts of the name.
2) Use dates
3) Use telephone numbers
4) Use locations
5) Use names of schools
6) Use names of friends
7) Use combinations of the above.
Remove – How to Clear Internet History
Based on your comprehensive search, take steps to remove items from the Internet. Please be aware that just because public access is removed, specialized private access and governmental access are almost impossible to remove. Public systems exist, which make copies of the Internet, an example is the Wayback Machine. Government copies of everything on the Internet are far more pervasive and complete.
So in truth, you may never be able to remove anything which was once posted or emailed. However; in many cases, you have the right to remove public access to the information. The way to do this is to contact the specific systems which are found in the search and demand they remove the information in writing. Threaten legal action if they don’t remove the information and, if forced, take legal action. This may be your only remedy.
Most highly public systems, such as Facebook and others have procedures to follow to achieve this goal. Actively opt-out of any disclosure of your information in all other systems. This takes a long time to see the results on the public Internet, but this is the only way to achieve the goal of removing Internet history.
Hit the share button to your left and spread the word on Internet History Now!