A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware component that allows a computer or device to connect to a network. It can be wired, using an Ethernet cable, or wireless, using Wi-Fi technology. The NIC converts data from the computer into a format suitable for transmission over the network and vice versa. NICs are essential for enabling communication between devices, such as computers, printers, and servers, within a local area network (LAN) or the broader internet. They often come built into computers but can also be added as expansion cards or USB devices for enhanced connectivity options.