15 Internet Interview Questions and Answers

As the use of the internet continues to grow in both our personal and professional lives, so too does the need for those who are skilled in its many applications. From web developers to network administrators, there are a variety of positions that require a deep understanding of how the internet works.

If you’re looking to start or further your career in an internet-related field, then you’ll likely need to go through an interview process. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of common interview questions and answers about the internet.

1. What is the Internet?

This is a basic question that many interviewers ask to see if you have the Internet basics. They want to know that you understand how it works and what it does. Your answer should be simple, but also show that you can explain its purpose in your own words.

Example: “The internet is a worldwide network of computers that allows people to communicate with each other through websites, emails and social media platforms. It’s basically a way for people to connect online without having to use phones or landlines.”

2. What are some of the important protocols used by the Internet and how do they differ from each other?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the Internet and how it works. You can answer this question by naming each protocol, what it does and how it differs from other protocols.

Example: “There are many important protocols used by the Internet. The most common ones include TCP/IP, FTP, HTTP, SMTP, POP3 and DNS. TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol and is the primary protocol that allows computers to communicate with one another on the Internet. It’s also responsible for routing data packets between nodes. FTP is File Transfer Protocol, which is used to transfer files over the Internet. HTTP is Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which is used to send web pages from servers to users. SMTP is Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, which is used to send emails. POP3 is Post Office Protocol 3, which is used to download emails from mail servers. Finally, DNS is Domain Name System, which translates domain names into IP addresses.”

3. How does the HTTP protocol work?

This is a basic question that tests your knowledge of the internet and how it works. You can answer this by explaining what HTTP stands for, what it does and how it functions.

Example: “HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It’s one of the most important protocols in the internet because it allows users to access web pages through hyperlinks. The protocol also enables communication between servers and browsers. When you click on a link, the browser sends an HTTP request to the server. The server then responds with an HTTP response that contains the requested page. This process happens every time you visit a website.”

4. How does TCP/IP work in relation to the Internet?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the Internet and how it works. You can answer this question by explaining what TCP/IP stands for, what each part does and how they work together.

Example: “TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. It’s a set of rules that govern how computers communicate with one another on the internet. The four main parts of TCP/IP are IP addresses, domain names, ports and packet switching. An IP address is like an email address in that it tells other computers where to send information. Domain names are similar to IP addresses but more user-friendly. Ports help direct traffic between applications. Packet switching allows data to be broken into smaller pieces so it can travel faster.”

5. Can you explain what a packet is in context of the Internet?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the Internet and how it works. It also shows that you have an in-depth understanding of what’s happening behind the scenes when you’re using the internet. Your answer should include a definition, but you can also provide an example if you want to show off your expertise.

Example: “A packet is a small piece of data that travels through the network. Each packet has its own header and footer, which contain information about where it came from and where it’s going. The middle part of the packet contains the actual data. When I’m surfing the web, my computer sends packets to the router, which then sends them to the ISP. From there, they go to the server, which sends back packets with the requested information.”

6. What’s the difference between UDP and TCP?

This question tests your knowledge of two common internet protocols. You can answer by defining each protocol and explaining how they differ from one another.

Example: “UDP is a connection-less protocol, which means it doesn’t establish a connection between the sender and receiver before sending data. TCP is a connection-oriented protocol that establishes a connection before sending data. UDP is faster than TCP because it doesn’t have to verify whether the data was received or not. However, this also makes UDP less reliable since there’s no way to confirm if the data was actually delivered. TCP is slower but more reliable.”

7. Can you explain the importance of DNS on the internet?

DNS, or Domain Name System, is a crucial part of the internet. It’s what allows users to access websites by translating domain names into IP addresses. Your answer should show that you understand how DNS works and why it’s important. You can explain its function in your own words and give an example of when you used DNS on the job.

Example: “DNS is one of the most important parts of the internet because it translates domain names into IP addresses. This makes it easier for people to find websites they’re looking for. I once had to use DNS to translate a website address so my team could get inside and fix some issues with the site.”

8. How exactly does DNS work?

DNS is a common internet protocol that allows users to access websites and other online resources. Your answer should show the interviewer you have an in-depth understanding of how DNS works, including its purpose and function. You can explain what DNS stands for, how it functions and why it’s important.

Example: “DNS stands for Domain Name System. It’s a system that translates domain names into IP addresses so computers can understand them. For example, when I type www.google.com into my browser, DNS translates this URL into an IP address that the computer understands. This allows me to access Google’s website. Without DNS, we would need to remember all of these IP addresses, which would make accessing websites much more difficult.”

9. What are the different modes that can be used when transferring files over FTP?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the different modes that can be used when transferring files over FTP. You should list all the modes you know and explain what each mode does.

Example: “There are three main modes that can be used when transferring files over FTP, including active mode, passive mode and byte-range mode. In active mode, the client initiates the connection with the server and sends commands to initiate file transfers. Passive mode is similar to active mode in that the client also initiates the connection but then waits for the server to send commands. Byte-range mode allows clients to specify which parts of a file they want to transfer.”

10. What is an IP address and why is it important?

An IP address is a unique set of numbers that identifies each device connected to the internet. It’s important for an IT professional to understand how this system works and be able to explain it to others. Your answer should show your interviewer you know what an IP address is, why it’s important and how it functions.

Example: “An IP address is a unique set of numbers assigned to every device connected to the internet. This allows them to communicate with one another. For example, when I visit a website, my computer sends out a request to the server hosting the site. The server then responds by sending back the requested information. My computer receives the response and displays the website on my screen.”

11. Can you explain what SSL/TLS is?

This is a basic question that many employers ask to test your knowledge of internet security. You can answer this question by defining SSL/TLS and explaining how it works.

Example: “SSL/TLS stands for Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security, which are protocols used to encrypt data sent over the internet. It’s important to use these protocols when you’re sending sensitive information online because they protect against eavesdropping and tampering. When I’m working with clients who need to send private information, I make sure to set up an SSL certificate on their website so that all communication between them and their customers is encrypted.”

12. What is IPv6? How does it differ from IPv4?

This question tests your knowledge of the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and how it differs from IPv4. You can answer this question by defining what each protocol is, describing their differences and giving an example of when you used them in a previous role.

Example: “IPv6 is the latest version of IP addresses that are unique identifiers for computers on the internet. It’s different from IPv4 because it has 128-bit addresses compared to 32-bit addresses in IPv4. I have used both protocols in my past roles as they are compatible with one another. For instance, if I need to access a website that uses IPv6, I can use an IPv6 address translator to convert it into an IPv4 format so I can view it.”

13. What is the difference between URL, URN, and URI?

This question tests your knowledge of the internet and how it works. It also shows that you know what each term means, which is important for an IT professional to understand. In your answer, define each term and explain their differences.

Example: “URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. URN stands for Universal Resource Name. URI stands for Uniform Resource Identifier. The main difference between URL and URN is that a URL can be used to locate a resource on the web while a URN cannot. A URI can be used to identify resources but not locate them.”

14. When would you use one vs the other?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the two most common internet protocols, TCP and UDP. You can use this opportunity to show that you understand how each protocol works and when it would be best to use one over the other.

Example: “TCP is a connection-oriented protocol, which means that it requires a handshake before data transmission begins. This handshake ensures that both ends are ready for communication. It’s also considered a reliable protocol because it guarantees delivery of packets. UDP, on the other hand, is a connectionless protocol, meaning there is no handshake required. However, it does not guarantee delivery of packets, so if you’re sending something important, I would recommend using TCP.”

15. Are there any security issues related to the internet that I should know about?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your knowledge of internet security. It’s important that you show the interviewer that you understand how to keep information safe online and what steps you take to ensure it stays secure.

Example: “There are many ways people can compromise the security of websites, including phishing attacks, malware and social engineering. Phishing attacks occur when someone sends an email or text message that looks like it comes from a legitimate source but actually contains links to malicious sites. Malware is software designed to damage computers or steal data. Social engineering occurs when someone uses deception to get personal information.”