Web surfing, also known as browsing the Internet, refers to the practice of navigating between websites using hyperlinks in an Internet browser. When someone is surfing the Internet, they are called a surfer or a net surfer. The phrase "surfing the Internet" was coined in February 1992 by computer scientist Mark McCahill. The analogy of "surfing the Internet" may have its origins in a comic book published in October 1991 by CERFnet, an early ISP (Internet service provider) .

To surf the web, one must have a computer with an Internet browser and an active Internet connection. Once connected to the Internet, one can surf the web by following hyperlinks seen on a web page. A hyperlink is any text on the web page that is a different color or underlined. For example, "Internet terms" is a hyperlink, and if clicked with a mouse or tapped on a touch screen, a page with Internet-related terms opens.

There is no distinction between the terms "web browsing" and "web surfing" in general. Both terms are commonly used to refer to the process of navigating from one website to another, downloading files, or watching online videos. Browsing is a focused search, hence faster and less time-consuming than surfing. People will have a pre-defined plan chalked out in their minds before they browse. It makes it easier to locate the exact information in less time if they use browsing. Surfing refers to searching a particular information using Search Engines. Surfing is generally time-consuming than browsing, as the user tends to search and locate the required information over the web.