An accessible comic book-like illustrated introduction to how the internet works under the
hood designed to give people a basic understanding of the technical aspects of the Internet
that they need in order to advocate for digital rights. The internet has profoundly changed
interpersonal communication but most of us don't really understand how it works. What enables
information to travel across the internet? Can we really be anonymous and private online? Who
controls the internet and why is that important? And... what's with all the cats? How the
Internet Really Works answers these questions and more. Using clear language and whimsical
illustrations the authors translate highly technical topics into accessible engaging prose
that demystifies the world's most intricately linked computer network. Alongside a feline guide
named Catnip you'll learn about: • The How-What-Why of nodes packets and internet protocols
• Cryptographic techniques to ensure the secrecy and integrity of your data • Censorship ways
to monitor it and means for circumventing it • Cybernetics algorithms and how computers make
decisions • Centralization of internet power its impact on democracy and how it hurts human
rights • Internet governance and ways to get involved This book is also a call to action
laying out a roadmap for using your newfound knowledge to influence the evolution of digitally
inclusive rights-respecting internet laws and policies. Whether you're a citizen concerned
about staying safe online a civil servant seeking to address censorship an advocate
addressing worldwide freedom of expression issues or simply someone with a cat-like curiosity
about network infrastructure you will be delighted -- and enlightened -- by Catnip's
felicitously fun guide to understanding how the internet really works!
