ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Critical Internet infrastructure

Okay, so the internet is like a big playground where people can play and talk to each other using their computers or phones. But to make sure everything works properly, there are some very important things that need to be in place. We call these things "critical internet infrastructure."

Imagine you want to play on a swing at the playground, but the swing isn't attached to anything. That wouldn't be very safe or fun, right? So, just like the swing needs something to hold onto, the internet needs certain things to make sure it works well.

One important thing is called the "backbone." This is like the main road that all the other internet connections use to get around. It's made up of really big and strong cables that can transmit a lot of information very quickly.

Another important thing is called "domain name system" or DNS. That's a really big and confusing name, but all it really does is help us find things on the internet. It's like if you wanted to play with a specific toy in the playground, but you didn't know where it was. You could ask your friend or a teacher, and they would tell you where to find it. DNS works the same way - it helps us find specific websites and pages on the internet.

There are also things like servers, routers, and switches that help make sure all the information gets sent to the right place at the right time. It's kind of like how all the different parts of the playground need to be in the right place for everyone to have fun and stay safe.

In summary, critical internet infrastructure is the important stuff that helps the internet work properly. It's like the foundation of a house, and without it, the internet wouldn't be as safe or as much fun to use.