ISP

ISP stands for Internet Service Provider.  While the internet is world wide, computers or servers must have a direct tie in to the internet to take advantage of it.  Most consumers do not have direct tie in to the internet, and therefore connect either via a phone line, DSL, cable or similar connection to a service that does connect their personal computer to the internet.  The organization providing this service for each consumer, is called its Internet Service Provider or ISP.