The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that utilizes the TCP/IP communications protocol to send and receive data.  It which currently consists of a broad mix of private, public, academic, and government networks (in nearly every country on earth), enables a vast array of information and communications services including email, the World Wide Web, file transfer and telephony. The origins of the Internet date back to the 1960’s when the United States government began funding research into fault tolerant communications networks that could withstand damage from a nuclear attack. This initial funding lead to the development of the ARPANET – a precursor network to the Internet which initially served to link regional academic and military computer networks. ARPANET was eventually consumed by the Internet after switching to TCP/IP in the 1980’s and the introduction of commercial network links in the 1990’s.