Objectives

  • Use a browser productively (tabs, bookmarks, HTTPS padlock).
  • Explain email vs the Web; run a structured search.
  • Download only from instructor-approved sources.

Theory: Internet connections, IP and DNS, HTTP, email, FTP, WWW and search.

Do not attempt unauthorized access, password guessing, or downloading pirated software.

Tasks (45 minutes)

  1. Browser (10 min). Open the college site and this course hub. Bookmark both. Note whether each uses HTTPS.
  2. Search (15 min). Search site:.edu.np IT 231 or a faculty-approved query. Save three URLs with one-line evaluations (who published it, is it current).
  3. DNS (5 min). In Command Prompt, run nslookup on a domain the instructor names (e.g. tu.edu.np). Record the IP shown. If the command is blocked, skip and write what DNS does instead.
  4. Email (10 min). Draft (do not send unless asked) a three-sentence email to a lecturer requesting a lab re-sit: subject line, greeting, body, close. Identify To, Subject, and why CC would be used.
  5. Download (5 min). Download only a file the instructor hosts (PDF of this worksheet or a sample .csv). Verify the file type and size before opening.

Before You Start

  • Use the lab browser in a normal (not private) window so your bookmarks are saved.
  • Keep a document open (Word or Notepad) to paste URLs and notes as you go.
  • Only download files from the link the instructor gives. Do not run .exe files.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. HTTPS check. Open each site and click the icon left of the address (padlock or “tune” icon). “Connection is secure” means HTTPS. Click through to see who issued the certificate. Bookmark the page with Ctrl + D.

  2. Structured search. Try these operators and note how the results change:

    Operator Example Effect
    site: site:.edu.np IT 231 Only results from that domain
    Quotes "business information system" Exact phrase
    Minus database -oracle Exclude a word
    filetype: syllabus filetype:pdf Only that file type
  3. Evaluate three results. For each URL, write one line covering who published it (organisation or author), when (date or last update), and why (inform, sell or persuade). Example: “tu.edu.np: Tribhuvan University, updated 2025, official notice. Reliable.”
  4. DNS lookup. In Command Prompt run nslookup tu.edu.np (or the domain your instructor names). The output shows the DNS server used, then a Non-authoritative answer with the name and one or more Address lines. Record the address. “Non-authoritative” means the answer came from a cache, not the domain’s own server.
  5. Email draft. Example structure:
    • To: the lecturer. CC: the programme coordinator, who should be informed but need not act.
    • Subject: “IT 231 Lab 5 re-sit request: [Your name], Section A”
    • Body: greeting; one sentence on what you missed and why; one sentence requesting a date; thanks and your full name with roll number.
  6. Safe download. Download the instructor’s file. In the Downloads folder, check that the extension (.pdf or .csv) and size match what you expected. Right-click the file and choose Scan with Microsoft Defender before opening it.

Check Your Work

Checkpoint How to verify
Bookmarks Two bookmarks saved, each with its HTTPS status noted
Search At least two operators used; three URLs with who/when/why evaluations
DNS The IP address recorded, or a correct paragraph on what DNS does
Email Subject, greeting, three-sentence body and close; To vs CC explained

Common Errors and Fixes

Problem Fix
Treating the padlock as “the site is trustworthy” HTTPS only means the connection is encrypted; scam sites can have padlocks too.
nslookup shows “Non-existent domain” Check the spelling, and leave out https:// and any path. Use only the domain name.
Search results are all ads Sponsored results are labelled. Scroll past them, or add site: to target sources.
Downloaded file is worksheet.pdf.exe Do not open it; delete it. Show file extensions so you can spot double extensions.

Extension Task

For those who finish early: Run tracert tu.edu.np (it may take a minute) and count the hops. Explain in two sentences what each line represents and why some lines show *.

Deliverable

One page: bookmark list, three evaluated URLs, nslookup result or DNS paragraph, email draft.

Viva

  1. What is the difference between the internet and the World Wide Web?
  2. What does HTTPS protect compared with HTTP?
  3. IMAP vs POP3 in one sentence each.
  4. Why can a search engine result still be wrong?
  5. What is a URL? Identify the protocol, domain and path in https://arjankc.com.np/blog/.
  6. What does DNS do, and what would happen without it?
  7. What is the difference between To, CC and BCC?
  8. Name three checks you would make before trusting a website for an assignment.