Do you really know? Why do web addresses start with www?
Aug 18, 2025
Discover how the intriguing 'www' in web addresses emerged not from Silicon Valley, but from CERN. Tim Berners-Lee revolutionized how we connect information in 1989 with his hypertext idea. The podcast also clarifies the distinction between the Internet and the World Wide Web, and untangles the meanings behind web address elements like HTTPS and various endings like '.com'. It's a whirlwind trip through internet history in under three minutes!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Origins At CERN
- Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web at CERN in 1989 to connect data via hypertext links.
- The first browser/editor was used internally and released to the public in 1993, sparking widespread adoption.
Web vs Internet Clarified
- The "www" prefix simply denotes the World Wide Web, the layer of the internet where websites live.
- The web is distinct from the internet, which is the global network of connected computers your browser uses.
Always Use HTTPS
- Use HTTPS to ensure your browser and a website communicate securely and encrypt transmitted data.
- Avoid entering sensitive information on sites without HTTPS to reduce risk of identity or financial fraud.