What is a global system of interconnected computer networks commonly referred to as?

The term "the internet" refers to the global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide. This vast network facilitates communication and data exchange between millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, making it a cornerstone of modern digital communication.

While "the World Wide Web" is often mistakenly used interchangeably with the internet, it actually refers to a specific service that operates over the internet, specifically the information system that allows access to websites and web pages through browsers.

An "intranet," on the other hand, is a private network that is set up within an organization, using internet protocols but limited to internal access. It does not provide the extensive access and global connectivity that the internet does.

Lastly, "Ethernet" describes a family of technologies for local area networking (LAN) and does not imply a global system of networks. It primarily pertains to the physical and data link layers of network communication rather than the broader concept of global interconnectivity.

Understanding these distinctions clarifies why the internet is recognized as the comprehensive system connecting networks globally, as opposed to the other terms that describe more localized or specialized systems.