Internet Safety
How the internet works, why HTTPS matters, what makes public Wi-Fi risky, and how to protect yourself.
Articles in this chapter
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1
How the Internet Actually Works: From URL to Response
Understand the real journey your data takes when you visit a website. Learn about DNS, packets, routers, and where surveillance can occur.
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2
What Is an IP Address? A Technical Explanation
Learn how IP addresses work: postal addresses for devices on the internet. Understand IPv4, IPv6, public vs private IPs, geolocation, and why your IP isn't your identity.
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3
How DNS Works: The Internet's Phone Book
Learn how DNS translates domain names into IP addresses, why it's unencrypted by default, and how it became the internet's most common censorship tool.
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4
How HTTPS Works: What the Lock Icon Really Means
Understand HTTPS encryption, certificate verification, and what the lock icon actually guarantees. Learn why it matters for your privacy.
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5
Public Key Cryptography: How Two Strangers Can Share Secrets
Understand public key cryptography without the math. Learn how asymmetric encryption powers HTTPS, code signing, and secure communication.
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6
How Digital Certificates and Certificate Authorities Work
Understand how certificates bind identities to encryption keys, why Certificate Authorities matter, and how the chain of trust secures the web.
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7
How a Firewall Works: From Your Router to Nation-State Censorship
Learn how firewalls actually filter network traffic. We explain packet filtering, stateful inspection, and why the Great Firewall is just a very large firewall with extra tools.
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8
Public Wi-Fi Security: What Actually Threatens You in 2026
Understand real risks on public Wi-Fi: rogue networks, metadata exposure, and phishing. Learn what HTTPS protects, what it doesn't, and where VPNs help.
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9
How Passwords Actually Get Leaked: The Real Threats
Most password breaches don't come from hackers cracking codes. Learn where passwords really leak, how credential stuffing works, and what actually protects you.
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10
How to Spot a Phishing Attempt: A Technical Guide
Learn to identify phishing emails, fake login pages, and social engineering attacks. Understand the red flags and technical defenses that protect your accounts.
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