Which of the following is a similarity between the Internet and an intranet?

At first, when asked the question “What is the difference between an intranet and the Internet?” most people might answer, “That’s easy, an intranet is for a few people to use, while the Internet can be used by anyone”.

However, the actual answer is a bit more complex than that. For example, some areas of the Internet are only accessible to users with the appropriate permissions, while there are some intranets, such as those used by the US Army or the UK’s NHS, that have 100,000s of users.

To compare the two, one needs to look at what the Internet and an intranet actually are. 

Learn more about intranet software.

What is the Internet?

The Internet as we know it today is the term used for the global network that any computer using a TCP/IP protocol can link to. By connecting to the Internet users can access a variety of information and communication facilities, such as the World Wide Web and email.

What is an Intranet?

An intranet is a private network that only those with permission can access. Originally, intranets were confined to wired Local Area Networks (LANs) hosted on the client-server, making them almost discrete from the Internet. But the advent of web-based intranets that users could access via the Internet (with a user-name and password) has now blurred this line somewhat. 

Similarities

The Internet and intranets do have some similarities. They are both, at a basic level, computer networks that enable users to communicate and access information. Indeed, the Internet started off in the 1960s as just a few US defense computers connected to each other.

They also both enable a user to access similar communication and collaboration tools. But that is where the similarities end.

The differences

The Internet is open to anyone, and anyone can be anonymous if they wish.

On the other hand intranets are private networks where all the users are known. This is incredibly empowering for everyone on an intranet network. They can trust in the information that they are receiving, while also knowing that whoever views the information they share is controlled. In this way, users can effectively communicate and collaborate in confidence on an intranet.

As can be seen, an intranet offers great advantages over the Internet for internal communication and collaboration. Yet to be truly effective, businesses must turn to quality intranet platforms such as Unily otherwise users are likely to abandon the intranet and head out onto the unregulated Internet.

What’s the difference between the internet and an intranet? These quasi-homophones shouldn’t cause much confusion, but many people are still unsure about whether these words are related in some way. And, if you’re in business, it’s vital that you know the difference between them.

Almost everyone knows what the internet is – the global computer network that provides information and communication facilities – not everyone is as familiar with the term ‘intranet.’

This has led to some confusion, and often the assumption that both terms mean the same thing. But in fact, they stand for two different things. Not completely different though, many traits of an intranet borrow from the internet – something we’ll go in to later. But before we list the similarities, let’s break down what the difference is between an intranet and the internet.

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4.3 billion people across the globe are connected to the internet, using it to help them with all aspects of their lives, from connecting with friends to keeping up to date with news, and from tracking their health to working more effectively.

And while intranet software similarly helps you to connect, learn and communicate, it’s done so on a much smaller level. Intranet/blog/intranet-vs-internet-difference/s are like mini internets for business, where they can store relevant information, news and data online, but make it accessible only to those employed by the organization.

So, what IS the difference between the internet and an intranet?

The main difference between the internet and an intranet is that an intranet is a closed network while the internet is a public network. In short, the internet is for all; an intranet is for a select group of people.

The internet: This worldwide system of computer networks. This allows the access and exchange of other computers’ information, enabling an array of services that cover communication, entertainment, and news. Information from July 2019 saw that 56% of the world’s population – nearly five billion people – were active internet users. From entertainment to finance, to learning and innovating, the internet underpins every area of our lives. With the Internet of Things, the applications are endless (and in some cases, risible). You can heat your home, power a driverless car, even help you eliminate noisy slurps while eating ramen – all with the help of a Wi-Fi connection.

An intranet: An intranet, on the other hand, has a reduced set of functions which are primarily aligned with helping employees within a business. While similar to the internet in that it is a computer network that shares information – the advantage of an intranet over the internet is that it operates strictly within a closed network. This is beneficial for organizations who want to submit and exchange company information privately.

So, an intranet is a restricted version of the internet, and one that doesn’t allow access to anyone outside its network. Its network comprises of all of its employees and senior level, and in some cases, partners, investors, and shareholders. Intranets typically use a local-only network, which restricts access. Only users directly wired to the system can log on. Despite this, remote workers can gain access from home, and employees on the road can access it via mobile.

Why do companies use an intranet?

Their introduction into the working environment in the mid-nineties saw intranets act as simple storage for files, information, and top-down communication.

Now, intranets have developed to becoming the hub of a business, allowing communication, knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and more. It’s here where you can file your expenses, book your holidays, and view details of your pension plan. You can contact colleagues in another office, write a blog updating the organization of your latest news, and create a community within your workforce.

For most businesses, an intranet is, without a doubt, a significant investment. But there are numerous advantages of an intranet over the internet for those who do invest in a system designed to support their company.

In order to function as a business, there needs to be a way of dissipating news and knowledge and creating one source of truth. Organizations, particularly larger ones, need a platform to connect and unite all their personnel, and intranet software can be shaped and modified to allow this, whether it’s one office block in a city, or a global brand with hundreds of locations across the world.

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There is a whole raft of information that companies need to share with their workforce. From a directory of colleagues and departments to booking time off forms to connecting with colleagues – an intranet is the go-to resource.

In fact, no matter what area of the business you’re in, the advantages of an intranet are manifold. You can read our Advantages of an Intranet blog for a more in-depth view. But the main gist of it is that an intranet:

• Increases productivity
• Cuts down on admin
• Creates operational cost savings
• Reduces error
• Improves access to information
• Encourages collaboration
• Enables crisis communication

The Manchester Metropolitan University story

That’s not to say that the boundaries between the internet and an intranet aren’t sometimes blurred. For Manchester Metropolitan University, for instance, had much of their intranet content on their external site.

This unusual situation saw internal documents and information belonging to the university on their live site, mixing up employee information with student material. This obviously posed some data breaching issues, as well as everyday challenges and frustrations experienced by staff trying to find what they needed.

The Manchester Met team quickly realized that an intranet was fundamental in going forwards and keeping two audiences – their students and their staff – separate in terms of the information most relevant to them.

Of course, neither of these should be confused with an extranet, which is somewhat a halfway house between an intranet and the internet. An extranet permits controlled access to authorized external users to a company intranet.

So, an extranet carries the concept of an intranet but takes it outside of its normal parameters. This platform is more open, and allows third parties in, like vendors and partners. They can either have full access to the intranet, or a selected part of it.

Extranets can sit on existing intranet software or be completely independent. Its primary purposes are to aid collaboration, communication, and insight for the most important people outside of your business.

Round-up

In conclusion, though they have a related theme, it’s important to remember that there are critical characteristics of intranet software that set it apart from the internet and extranets:

Intranets are a closed network: Within the internet, intranets are like islands where businesses can congregate.

Intranets are designed to solve a specific set of problems: The whole purpose of an intranet is to remedy existing issues in a business, namely data storage, knowledge sharing, and the distribution of information.

Intranets are smaller and more secure: Like a mini internet, intranets are solely for the use of a business and act as a secure way to help organizations function.

However, despite the differences between an intranet and the internet , they do have one thing in common: a business operates far better with both.

Guide

FREE DOWNLOAD – Comprehensive guide to intranets

Discover everything you need to know about planning and implementing a new intranet.

What is the relationship between internet and intranet?

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What is the difference between intranet and internet?