intranet

In computing, an organization's computer network based on the same TCP/IP protocols as the Internet. The intranet resembles an Internet Web site to the user and is effectively an internal Internet. The difference between the Internet and an intranet is that access to an intranet is limited to those with authorization from the organization. This authorization usually extends to all employees. A firewall and other security precautions prevent unwanted external access.

The same technology can be used with an internal network to build an organization-wide web of documents in a format that is familiar, easy to use, and comparatively inexpensive.

The term second-generation intranet is used to describe intranets that have been designed to allow users to take more responsibility for the management and development of the network. Users are allowed to design their own content and publish directly from their own desktop, rather than go through a central computing department.