What Is a Decentralized VPN — And Should I Use One?

This entry was posted on August 2, 2024 by Pavel Odnoletkov.

Blockchain and VPNs are two cool things that help keep people safe online. Now, there’s something new called a decentralized VPN, or dVPN for short.

Regular VPNs are like secret tunnels for your internet. They hide who you are when you’re online by using special computers all over the world.

A decentralized VPN does something similar, but instead of using computers from just one company, it uses computers from lots of different people.

This new way of doing things makes it even harder for bad guys to spy on what you’re doing online. It’s like having a bunch of different secret hideouts instead of just one. If a bad guy finds one hideout, you still have lots of others to keep you safe.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is like a secret tunnel for your internet. When you use the internet normally, it’s like walking down a busy street where anyone can see you. But with a VPN, it’s like you’re in an underground tunnel. No one can see where you’re going or what you’re doing online. VPNs keep your internet activities private and safe.

What is a decentralized VPN?

A decentralized VPN is a special kind of VPN. Instead of one big company running it, lots of regular people help run it together. It’s like a neighborhood watch for the internet. Everyone pitches in to keep things safe and private. This makes it harder for bad guys to spy on what you’re doing online.

Why Should I Use a VPN?

Using a VPN is like wearing a disguise on the internet. Here are some reasons why you might want to use one:

Keep your information secret: A VPN hides your internet activity from others.
Stay safe on public Wi-Fi: When you use Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or airport, a VPN keeps your information safe from hackers.
Watch shows from other countries: Sometimes, TV shows are only available in certain places. A VPN can help you watch shows from anywhere.
Avoid internet slowdowns: Sometimes, internet companies slow down certain websites. A VPN can help you avoid this.
Shop safely online: When you buy things online, a VPN helps keep your credit card information safe.

What are some popular decentralized VPNs?

There are several decentralized VPNs out there. Let’s look at three popular ones:

Sentinel

Sentinel is like a superhero team for internet privacy. It’s a group of computers all working together to keep your internet activities secret. Here’s how it works:

Anyone can join: If you have a computer, you can help run Sentinel. It’s like joining a club where everyone helps each other stay safe online.
You can earn money: If you let your computer help run Sentinel, you can earn some digital money called DVPN tokens.
Pay with crypto: To use Sentinel, you pay with special internet money called cryptocurrency. This helps keep things even more private.
Open-source: This means anyone can look at how Sentinel works. It’s like having the recipe for a secret sauce – everyone can see what’s in it, which helps make sure it’s safe.

Mysterium

Mysterium is another decentralized VPN. It’s like a big, invisible cloak that hides your internet activities. Here’s what makes Mysterium special:

Residential IP addresses: When you use Mysterium, it looks like you’re browsing from someone’s home computer. This makes it harder for websites to know you’re using a VPN.
No logs: Mysterium doesn’t keep track of what you do online. It’s like having a friend who always forgets what you told them – your secrets are safe!
Earn by sharing: If you have extra internet bandwidth, you can share it with Mysterium and earn some money.
Easy to use: Mysterium has apps for phones and computers that are easy to set up and use.

Deeper Network

Deeper Network is like having your own personal internet bodyguard. It’s a bit different from other VPNs because it comes with a special device. Here’s what makes Deeper Network cool:

Hardware device: You get a small box that you plug into your internet router. This box does all the VPN work for you.
One-time payment: Instead of paying every month like with other VPNs, you just buy the Deeper Network device once.
Earn crypto: Like Sentinel and Mysterium, you can earn digital money by helping run the network.
Ad blocker: The Deeper Network device also blocks annoying ads and trackers.
Easy setup: You don’t need to be a computer expert to use Deeper Network. It’s as easy as plugging in a new gadget.

Should I use a decentralized VPN?

Deciding whether to use a decentralized VPN depends on what you need. Here are some things to think about:

Pros of decentralized VPNs:

More privacy: Because no single company controls everything, it’s harder for anyone to spy on what you’re doing.
Harder to block: Governments or internet companies can’t easily shut down a decentralized VPN.
You can help: If you want, you can be part of running the VPN and even earn some money.

Cons of decentralized VPNs:

Might be slower: Because the network is run by lots of different people, it might not always be as fast as regular VPNs.
Can be harder to use: Some decentralized VPNs require more technical know-how to set up.
Fewer server locations: You might not have as many choices for where you want your internet traffic to appear to come from.

If you care a lot about privacy and don’t mind if things are a little slower sometimes, a decentralized VPN might be great for you. But if you just want something simple and fast, a regular VPN might be better.

Remember, whether you choose a regular VPN or a decentralized one, using any VPN is better for your privacy than not using one at all.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, decentralized VPNs are a new and exciting way to keep your internet activities private. They work differently from regular VPNs by having lots of people work together to keep the network running. While they might be a bit more complicated to use, they offer some unique benefits like extra privacy and the chance to earn some digital money.

Whether you choose Sentinel, Mysterium, Deeper Network, or another decentralized VPN, the most important thing is that you’re taking steps to protect your privacy online.

The internet can be a wonderful place, but it’s important to stay safe while you’re exploring it. Using a VPN, whether it’s decentralized or not, is a great way to do that.

So, next time you’re online, think about using a VPN. It’s like putting on a invisibility cloak for the internet. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even decide to help run a decentralized VPN yourself and be part of making the internet a safer place for everyone!