Today many government services in Nepal, from paying taxes to applying for exams, are done online. Lok Sewa exams therefore ask basic questions on the internet, email and staying safe online. This note explains the key terms in simple language and ends with the basic purpose of Nepal’s Electronic Transactions Act, 2063.
1. Internet and the World Wide Web
The internet is a worldwide network of computer networks that are connected to each other and share information using a common set of rules called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). It is often called the network of networks. The internet began from ARPANET, a research network of the United States Department of Defense.
The World Wide Web (WWW) is not the same as the internet. The WWW is a huge collection of linked web pages that we open through the internet. The internet is the road; the web is one kind of traffic on it. Email and file transfer also use the internet but are not part of the web. The WWW was invented by Tim Berners-Lee.
Important terms:
- Web page: a single document on the web, usually written in HTML (HyperText Markup Language).
- Website: a group of related web pages under one address.
- Home page: the first or main page of a website.
- Hyperlink: clickable text or an image that takes you to another page.
- ISP (Internet Service Provider): a company that gives internet connection to users.
2. Browser and search engine
A web browser is software used to open and view web pages. Examples: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Safari.
A search engine is a website that helps you find information on the web when you type keywords. Examples: Google, Bing and Yahoo.
The difference is simple: the browser is the tool you use to reach the web, while the search engine is a service you visit inside the browser to find pages.
3. URL, IP address and domain names
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the full address of a resource on the web. Take this sample address:
https://www.example.gov.np/notices/result.html
| Part | In the example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | https | The rule used to fetch the page |
| Domain name | www.example.gov.np | Name of the website |
| Path | /notices/result.html | Folder and file on the server |
An IP address is a unique number given to every device on a network, much like a house number. IPv4 uses 32 bits and is written as four numbers separated by dots, for example 192.168.1.1. IPv6 uses 128 bits and was introduced because IPv4 addresses were running out.
Since numbers are hard to remember, websites use domain names. The DNS (Domain Name System) changes a domain name into its IP address, working like a phone book of the internet.
The last part of a domain name is the top-level domain:
- .com for commercial, .org for organizations, .edu for education, .gov for government
- .np is the country code domain of Nepal. Under it are names such as .gov.np (government), .edu.np (education), .com.np (business) and .org.np (organizations).
4. Protocols
A protocol is a set of rules for communication between computers.
| Protocol | Full form | Use |
|---|---|---|
| HTTP | HyperText Transfer Protocol | Transfers web pages |
| HTTPS | HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure | Transfers web pages in encrypted (secure) form |
| FTP | File Transfer Protocol | Uploads and downloads files |
| SMTP | Simple Mail Transfer Protocol | Sends email |
| POP3 and IMAP | Post Office Protocol 3; Internet Message Access Protocol | Receive email |
Always look for https and the padlock sign in the address bar before entering a password or making a payment.
5. Types of networks
A computer network is two or more computers connected to share data and resources such as printers.
| Type | Full form | Area covered | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAN | Local Area Network | A room, office or building | Computers in one office |
| MAN | Metropolitan Area Network | A city | Network linking offices across a city |
| WAN | Wide Area Network | A country or the whole world | The internet |
A PAN (Personal Area Network) is a very small network around one person, such as a phone connected to earphones by Bluetooth. Devices used in networking include the modem, router, switch and hub.
6. Email
Email (electronic mail) is a way of sending messages over the internet. An email address has two parts joined by the @ sign: the user name and the domain, for example ramesh@example.com.np.
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| To | Main receiver(s) of the message |
| CC (Carbon Copy) | Others who get a copy; all receivers can see these addresses |
| BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) | Others who get a copy, but their addresses are hidden from other receivers |
| Subject | Short title of the message |
| Attachment | A file, such as a photo or document, sent with the email |
Spam means unwanted bulk email. The Inbox keeps received mail, Sent keeps mail you sent and Drafts keeps unfinished mail.
7. Common cyber threats
Malware (malicious software) is any program made to harm a computer or steal data. Its main types:
- Virus: attaches itself to a file or program and spreads when that file is opened or shared. It needs a host file.
- Worm: copies itself and spreads across networks on its own, without needing a host file.
- Trojan horse: looks like useful software but secretly does harm, such as opening a back door for attackers.
- Ransomware: locks or encrypts the victim’s files and demands money (ransom) to unlock them.
- Spyware: secretly watches what the user does and sends the information to others.
Phishing is a trick in which fake emails, messages or websites pretend to be a trusted body, such as a bank, to steal passwords, card numbers or OTPs. Hacking means getting into a computer system without permission.
8. Safe practices online
- Use strong passwords with a mix of capital and small letters, numbers and symbols, and do not reuse the same password everywhere.
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA), which asks for a second proof, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to the password.
- Keep the operating system, browser and apps updated, because updates fix security weaknesses.
- Install and update antivirus software and use a firewall, which blocks unwanted network traffic.
- Take regular backups of important files so that data can be restored after a ransomware attack or disk failure.
- Never share your password or OTP, and do not click unknown links or open unknown attachments.
9. E-governance
E-governance means using information and communication technology (ICT) to deliver government services, share information and run government work. Its aims are transparency, speed, lower cost and easy access for citizens. It has four common types:
- G2C: Government to Citizen, such as online forms and tax payment.
- G2B: Government to Business, such as online company registration.
- G2G: Government to Government, such as data sharing between offices.
- G2E: Government to Employee, such as online payroll records.
10. Electronic Transactions Act, 2063
Nepal’s Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 BS is the main law on electronic transactions and cyber crime. Its basic purposes are:
- to give legal recognition to electronic records, so that a record kept in electronic form is accepted like a paper record
- to give legal recognition to digital signatures, which prove who signed an electronic record and that it was not changed
- to provide for a Controller and licensed Certifying Authorities that issue digital signature certificates
- to define offences related to computers, such as unauthorized access to a computer, damaging or changing data, and computer fraud, with punishments
- to set up an Information Technology Tribunal to hear cases under the Act
📌 Key points to remember
- The internet is a network of networks using TCP/IP; the WWW is the collection of web pages on it.
- A browser opens web pages; a search engine finds them.
- A URL has protocol, domain name and path; DNS changes domain names into IP addresses.
- IPv4 is 32-bit; IPv6 is 128-bit.
- .np is Nepal’s country code domain; .gov.np is for government.
- HTTPS is secure HTTP; SMTP sends email; FTP transfers files.
- LAN covers a building, MAN a city, WAN a country or the world.
- BCC hides receivers’ addresses; CC does not.
- A worm spreads by itself; a virus needs a host file; ransomware demands payment.
- Use strong passwords, 2FA, updates and backups.
- The Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 recognizes electronic records and digital signatures and punishes computer crimes.
Test yourself: Internet, Email and Cyber Security Basics
Practise Internet and the World Wide Web, Email and Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 with 24 questions.