Decentralized VPN

Virtual private network (VPN) establishes a private connection to centralized server (app, websites). It provides a private tunnel and hides user identity and user activity from the centralized server and/or network.

VPN market is expected to grow to ~$100B by 2027 from $30B in 2022. People use VPN for privacy, security, to bypass school and company restriction or when using public wifi. With the rise of censorship, the usage is expected to grow.

When it comes to surveillance and tracking request from rogue government agencies for political means, a centralized VPN provider may have no option but to comply with it. Hence the need for decentralized VPN (dVPN).

dVPN can be grouped under two category: Hardware dVPN and Software dVPN. Hardware dVPN: Deeper network, Boring protocol; Software dVPN: Sentinel, Mysterium and Orchid.

To use a hardware dVPN user have to set up a hardware, thereby adding to the shared network with all node operators. The whole network is protected with its own fireball, anti tracking feature. Software dVPNs, on the other hand, tend to function like a marketplace for bandwidth.

However, like most things 'decentralized', there is a question on degree of decentralization. For each connection to a regular server like etsy.com, there is a entry and exit nodes that carry a security risk.