New laptop & internet connection

Question

Hi! I just bought a laptop today and really don't know too much about computers. I need help on how to connect to the internet! Someone told me all you had to do was plug in the cable from my internet at home into the laptop, so I did but it kept saying something about not having a network. What do I need to buy to connect? This is so confusing to me. : )

If it matters, I bought a Toshiba...not sure on the model but it was the one on sale for $549 : )

Any help would be great! Thanks!