Free IT lessons, animated

IT, explained simply.

Short animated lessons on networking and IT security, in plain English. Built for complete beginners, and for anyone studying for CompTIA A+, Network+ or Security+.

12lessons in Season 1
~50 minfull course
3exam tracks
R0always free
The IT Unpacked robot mascot pointing
Start here

How the Internet Works: the full course

Everything from the box on your wall to the firewall at the door, in one sitting. Pause at the checkpoints and test yourself.

How the Internet Works full course thumbnail

12 lessons. 12 bonuses. 3 checkpoints.

A+ Core 1Network+A+ Core 2
  • Routers, IP addresses, DNS and DHCP
  • Wi-Fi, ports, and what happens when you type a URL
  • HTTPS, the OSI model, subnet masks, VLANs and firewalls
  • A course-only bonus exam topic after every lesson
Season 1

How the Internet Works

Each episode is 3 to 5 minutes and builds on the one before. New episodes every Tuesday at 17:00 (SAST).

Free downloads

Cheat sheets

Print them, pin them up, revise from them. Free to share with your class or team.

PDF

How the Internet Works

2 pages: all 12 lessons in exam-ready form, plus the 12 course bonuses. Ports, OSI, subnet maths and exam traps.

Download PDF
Studying for a certification?

Exam tracks

Every episode lists the exam objectives it covers, so you can study by exam on YouTube.

A+ Core 1220-1201 · hardware & networking
A+ Core 2220-1202 · operating systems & security
Network+N10-009 · networking
Security+SY0-701 / SY0-801 · security (Season 2)

Lessons are aligned with the published objectives of these CompTIA exams. IT Unpacked is an independent channel, not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.

Coming next

Season 2: Security for Everyone

How attackers actually get in, and the simple habits that stop them. Subscribe so you don't miss it.

Subscribe on YouTube
  1. Passwords & password managers
  2. MFA / 2FA, and why SMS is the weakest
  3. How phishing emails trick you
  4. What a VPN does, and what it doesn't
  5. Ransomware explained