How the Internet Really Works: An Illustrated Guide to Protocols, Privacy, Censorship, and Governance
€20
Price: $19.99
(as of Oct 04, 2025 06:14:25 UTC – Details)
An accessible, comic book-like, illustrated introduction to how the internet works under the hood, designed to give people a basic understanding of the technical aspects of the Internet that they need in order to advocate for digital rights.
The internet has profoundly changed interpersonal communication, but most of us don’t really understand how it works. What enables information to travel across the internet? Can we really be anonymous and private online? Who controls the internet, and why is that important? And… what’s with all the cats?
How the Internet Really Works answers these questions and more. Using clear language and whimsical illustrations, the authors translate highly technical topics into accessible, engaging prose that demystifies the world’s most intricately linked computer network. Alongside a feline guide named Catnip, you’ll learn about:
The “How-What-Why” of nodes, packets, and internet protocolsCryptographic techniques to ensure the secrecy and integrity of your dataCensorship, ways to monitor it, and means for circumventing itCybernetics, algorithms, and how computers make decisionsCentralization of internet power, its impact on democracy, and how it hurts human rightsInternet governance, and ways to get involved
This book is also a call to action, laying out a roadmap for using your newfound knowledge to influence the evolution of digitally inclusive, rights-respecting internet laws and policies.
Whether you’re a citizen concerned about staying safe online, a civil servant seeking to address censorship, an advocate addressing worldwide freedom of expression issues, or simply someone with a cat-like curiosity about network infrastructure, you will be delighted — and enlightened — by Catnip’s felicitously fun guide to understanding how the internet really works!
From the Publisher
‘Very Helpful’
“Comprehensive – and presents the subject well. It will be very helpful to all people doing IME, digital literacy training, and other educational activities.”
—Stephane Bortzmeyer
‘Highly Approachable’
“This is a highly approachable thin but dense book on the protocols, software, security, and privacy of the Internet, illustrated with informative yet comic-like illustrations that make it suitable for all ages. It will leave the reader (usually with some degree of computer knowledge) a much fuller understanding of the protocols and transmission media which make the Internet possible, and with a much fuller look at the issues of privacy, security and policy which direct its governance.”
—Ira Laefsky, Vine Voice Amazon Reviewer
‘Informative and Accessible’
“Probably the best book out there providing an informative and accessible overview of the Internet and its aspects such as structure, operation, technologies, security, and governance.”
—Venkatesh Prasad Ranganath, Amazon Reviewer
About the Authors
Ulrike Uhlig, originally a professional front-end web developer, is a Debian Developer and works on software related to privacy and anonymity online. Ulrike works with projects of the internet freedom community and nonprofit organizations at the intersection of technology, arts, and human rights. Born in East Berlin, she spent 15 years in France, where she obtained an MA in visual and contemporary arts. In addition to coauthoring How the Internet Really Works, Ulrike created the illustrations featured in the book.
Mallory Knodel is the chief technology officer for the Center for Democracy and Technology, the co-chair of the Human Rights and Protocol Considerations research group of the Internet Research Task Force, and a chairing advisor to the Freedom Online Coalition. Originally from the United States but living in Nairobi, she has worked as a technical expert with grassroots and nonprofit organizations around the world since 2008. She holds a BS in physics and mathematics and an MA in science education.
Niels Ten Oever is a PhD candidate with the DATACTIVE Research Group at the Media Studies and Political Science Department at the University of Amsterdam, and postdoctoral scholar (abd) with the Communications Department at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on how norms – such as human rights – get inscribed, resisted, and subverted in the internet infrastructure through transnational governance. Previously, Niels worked as Head of Digital for ARTICLE19, where he designed, raised funds for, and set up the digital program. He holds a MA in philosophy from the University of Amsterdam.
Corinne Cath is a doctoral student at the Oxford Internet Institute. As a cultural anthropologist, she applies the tools of anthropology to the study of internet governance, in particular, the culture of the often opaque organizations that enable the technical functioning of the internet. Within that context, she focuses on the participation of human rights and civil liberties NGOs that are aiming to change computer code instead of legal code to effect social change. She is funded by the Ford Foundation and the Alan Turing Institute.
About the Publisher
No Starch Press has published the finest in geek entertainment since 1994, creating both timely and timeless titles like Python Crash Course, Python for Kids, How Linux Works, and Hacking: The Art of Exploitation. An independent, San Francisco-based publishing company, No Starch Press focuses on a curated list of well-crafted books that make a difference. They publish on many topics, including computer programming, cybersecurity, operating systems, and LEGO. The titles have personality, the authors are passionate experts, and all the content goes through extensive editorial and technical reviews. Long known for its fun, fearless approach to technology, No Starch Press has earned wide support from STEM enthusiasts worldwide.
Publisher : No Starch Press
Publication date : December 11, 2020
Edition : Illustrated
Language : English
Print length : 120 pages
ISBN-10 : 1718500297
ISBN-13 : 978-1718500297
Item Weight : 1.22 pounds
Dimensions : 8.31 x 0.54 x 10.31 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #246,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #241 in Internet & Telecommunications #315 in Educational & Nonfiction Graphic Novels #598 in Internet & Social Media
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 100 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
13 reviews for How the Internet Really Works: An Illustrated Guide to Protocols, Privacy, Censorship, and Governance
Add a review
Related Products
€20
Jason Roell –
A Hidden Gem!
I have been a programmer for about 10 years focusing on many different areas, web development being one of them. I purchased this book with the idea that I might find some interesting facts but nothing really new. I mostly bought it because it had funny cat animations and I thought it sounded like a fun way to nerd out about how the internet works and maybe learn some useful ways of explaining how the internet works to my less technical friends and family… Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise. This not only provided interesting, engaging, funny, and clear explanations about how the internet works, but it also did so at a depth which I was not expecting. I honestly learned a lot about the underlying infrastructure that I thought I already understood generally well. Couple that with some easy to follow sketches and diagrams that felt like a comic book and this has to be one of my favorite “popular science” genre books that I’ve come across that provided entertainment while also being genuinely useful and practical in my everyday work and life. 5 stars! ð
Frank Guest –
Explain It Like I’m a 10 Year Old — A truly AMAZING and truly INFORMATIVE “Technical” Book
This is an incredibly useful and informative book. This book is written so that ANYONE, but especially “computer literates” that have been faking it for so long that they themselves cannot acknowledge that even they do not know “HOW THE INTERNET REALLY WORKS.” But they WILL know after they read this amazing book. The author had nothing to prove — no hard-to-understand sentences with a lot of “computer” abbreviations/acronyms. He just takes you step-by-step explaining in a VERY organized manner “HOW THE INTERNET REALLY WORKS.” And, when you reach the end of the book, you will have the skill required to explain to another 10 yo (or your boss, or the president of the company, or your boyfriend/girlfriend) exactly “HOW THE INTERNET REALLY WORKS.”
Amazon Customer –
Excellent Introductory Book on Internet
This is an excellent introductory book on the Internet for Seniors, Teenagers, and Non-Technology Professionals.
M. M. Alexander –
Magnificent
This is an outstanding book for getting a crystal clear understanding of electronics behind the internet.One of the best books I’ve come across. The other is EXPLAIN THE CLOUD TO ME LIKE I”M 10.Both are so good at breaking things down into understandable chunks. Buy this book!
Kody –
Humorous and educational
Good book for non-technical people to understand technical concepts. There are pictures. If you work in IT or Security, keep it handy and just point co-workers to page numbersð
Amazon Customer –
This book is so helpful!
The illustrations perfectly support the text, the language used is highly-accessible, and the content goes in-depth just enough to make you feel well-informed.
Ira Laefsky –
Highly Approachable Look at Internet Protocols, Software, Privacy and Security Comic Illustrations
This is a highly approachable thin but dense book on the protocols, software, security and privacy of the Internet illustrated with informative yet comic-like illustrations that make it suitable for all ages. It will leave the reader (usually with some degree of computer knowledge) a much fuller understanding of the protocols and transmission media which make the Internet possible, and with a much fuller look at the issues of privacy, security and policy which direct its governance.It is clear in all regards but somewhat lighter in the description of networking equipment. As one goes through this book a reader will certainly have more questions which can then be understandably answered by Wikipedia, websites, and You Tube. It certainly gave me the terms to more fully search ISP and Infrastructure equipment.This is a clear and informative survey of all layers of the Internet and their policy concerns. Most readers will find and understand all they need to as an informed citizen of the Internet. A few finicky readers like myself will have the background and terms they need to become more deeply educated through the Internet’s own resources.
Patrick Bohan (ARKBAN) –
Great images, dense text, last 1/3 is preachy
Thoughts:- The images are great, I wish there we more of them- The text is still often times too dense and technical for someone who has zero-to-little knowledge. I would have preferred more pictures and less text.- The last 1/3 of the book is a bit preachy about privacy and control. While I agree with most of what is said there, it wasn’t what I expected, and could be off putting to those with little knowledge. I wish the facts and opinions in the end were separated a bit, at least to make it clear which prose is objective and which is subjective.Readers:- I (a computer nerd by night, software engineer by day) enjoyed it and knew or was able to understand most everything.- My wife (computer savvy, but not a developer) liked it but was confused at times and had questions.- Mother-in-law (computer capable, a more typical computer user ) didn’t understand most of it and said she’d rather just ask me.
Olivier –
This is not a Manga guide, nor a Cartoon guide; this is an Illustrated guide. That is a 50-50 text-illustration guide. It is not futile at all, and covers equally technical subjects and subjects that are often pushed in an “Other issues” part. The authors made a good job at both, and I recommend this guide for any citizen who wants to know how the Internet works technically, but also how it works as a social organization and in the society as a whole.
Chiara –
I raccomand this book, it’s super accurate and interesting.
Geri –
Artikel wie beschrieben hat alles super geklappt gerne wieder.
Giorgio –
Really well written, with good level of details explained in simple-ish terms. As a networking professional, I’m gonna use it to learn explaining the concepts I work with in my day to day to non-tech people!
Kundin –
Ich habe das Buch einer Freundin geschenkt. Sie sagte, dass sie die ersten, eher technischen Kapitel ein wenig auÃer Acht gelassen hätte. Nach der Lektüre der darauf folgenden Kapitel hätten sich jedoch endlich einige fehlende Puzzleteile in ihrem Kopf zusammengefügt, und sie hätte nunendlich verstanden, wie alles zusammen spielt, welche Ebenen aufeinander aufbauen und zum Beispiel, wo die Limits des Tor-Netzwerks liegen. Ich würde das Buch deshalb weiterempfehlen.