Difference Between Internet, Intranet and Extranet
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
The difference between the Internet, Intranet and Extranet is often misunderstood. Part of the solution may be found in the prefixes of each of the words: inter means between, intra means inside, and extra implies outside or beyond. The difference between the internet, intranet and extranet is based on various parameters.
Difference Between Internet, Intranet and Extranet PDF
The major difference between the internet, intranet and extranet is that the internet, also known as the world wide web, is a global network of computer networks, and intranet, on the other hand, is an internet network that only corporate workers have access to. However, the extranet is an extension of the intranet. In this article, we will discuss the basic difference between internet, intranet and extranet in the sections below.
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Difference Between Internet, Intranet and Extranet
Before discussing briefly these three computer networks. Let us check the difference between internet, intranet and extranet listed in the table below based on various parameters. You can also check the difference between internet and intranet here.
Key Difference Between Internet, Intranet and Extranet
| Internet | Intranet | Extranet |
| Internet is open to the public, but the other two are heavily censored. | An intranet may be accessed via the Internet, although its authentication requires logging in. | Extranets are mostly used by businesses and organizations to limit access to secret information. |
| It is owned by no one. | It is owned by a particular company/ organization. | It is owned by single/ multiple organizations. |
| Everyone who is linked has access to it. | Only members of the organization have access to it. | Only members of the organization and external members with logins have access. |
| Its goal is to provide information all across the world. | Its goal is to communicate information within the company. | Its goal is to allow members and external members to share information. |
| It is used by the public. | It is used by employees of the organization. | It is used by the members having login information. |
| It is more cost-effective to utilize. | It is less cost-effective. | It is also less cost-effective. |
What is Internet?
The Internet is often known as the World wide web. The Internet is a network built by the cooperative connectivity of millions of computers that are linked together. The Internet is made up of:
- People: The network is used and developed by people.
- Resources: A group of resources that can be accessed through those networks.
- A setup for collaboration: It is a collaborative arrangement that comprises members of the research and education committees from all around the world.
What is Intranet?
An intranet is a private network that only employees of a company may access. It’s the most restrictive of the three networks. Intranets, like the Internet, employ the HTTP protocol over TCP/IP protocol, web servers, and web clients. Intranets differ from the Internet in that private servers are not accessible to the general public. The users’ limitations are implemented through the usage of an internet firewall.
Companies use intranet so that they can store and share important documents and lets teams use private messages and threads to communicate better and collaborate on projects over a secure network. It is only accessible to a small group of people. Intranets are mostly used to offer access to data and programs on networked computers and servers within enterprises and organizations.
What is Extranet?
An extranet is a type of network that allows external users to access an organization’s intranet. An extranet is similar to an intranet, except that it is accessed through a Web portal. An intranet is a private network that is only available to members of the same group, corporation, or organization. Extranets are quickly becoming a popular way for business partners to securely communicate information.
