What is this?
ZeroNet is open-source software for a decentralized web: it lets you publish and visit websites that use Bitcoin cryptography and the BitTorrent network for distribution instead of a traditional hosting provider.
ZeroNet is open-source software for a decentralized web: it lets you publish and visit websites that use Bitcoin cryptography and the BitTorrent network for distribution instead of a traditional hosting provider.Is this a hosted service I sign up for, or a program I run on my own computer?A program on your machine: after starting it you browse ZeroNet sites from your regular browser, and it works with any browser/OS. Your machine then also serves the sites you visit to other peers.
A program on your machine: after starting it you browse ZeroNet sites from your regular browser, and it works with any browser/OS. Your machine then also serves the sites you visit to other peers.How do I get it running?Pick a ready build and run it: ZeroNet.exe on Windows (an 18MB zip), ZeroNet.app on macOS, ./ZeroNet.sh on Linux, or an Android APK (Android 16 and up). There is also an official Docker image; from source you need Python 3 and start with 'python3 zeronet.py'.
Pick a ready build and run it: ZeroNet.exe on Windows (an 18MB zip), ZeroNet.app on macOS, ./ZeroNet.sh on Linux, or an Android APK (Android 16 and up). There is also an official Docker image; from source you need Python 3 and start with 'python3 zeronet.py'.What are the current limitations?Per the README, file transactions are not compressed yet, and there are no private sites.
Per the README, file transactions are not compressed yet, and there are no private sites.Does that mean I can still open sites when my connection is down?Yes. Site files are stored on your machine, so you can access a site even if the Internet is unavailable — it is one of the project's headline promises.
Yes. Site files are stored on your machine, so you can access a site even if the Internet is unavailable — it is one of the project's headline promises.How anonymous is browsing ZeroNet?Traffic can be routed through Tor with .onion hidden services instead of IPv4 addresses, and connections are TLS encrypted. There is also automatic uPnP port opening so peers can find you.
Traffic can be routed through Tor with .onion hidden services instead of IPv4 addresses, and connections are TLS encrypted. There is also automatic uPnP port opening so peers can find you.What is ZeroHello?The landing page ZeroNet opens in your browser once it is running — the starting point for browsing sites and for the 'Create new, empty site' menu used to publish your own.
The landing page ZeroNet opens in your browser once it is running — the starting point for browsing sites and for the 'Create new, empty site' menu used to publish your own.Can ZeroNet sites use readable domain names?Yes, Namecoin .bit domains are supported, so a site can live at a .bit name instead of only a long cryptographic address.
Yes, Namecoin .bit domains are supported, so a site can live at a .bit name instead of only a long cryptographic address.Why build websites this way?The authors believe in an open, free, and uncensored network: no single point of failure, no hosting costs because sites are served by their visitors, and a site that is impossible to shut down since it is nowhere and everywhere at once.
The authors believe in an open, free, and uncensored network: no single point of failure, no hosting costs because sites are served by their visitors, and a site that is impossible to shut down since it is nowhere and everywhere at once.What are similar projects?localsend, trystero, steam2_downloader, qBittorrent, dashbeam, snapdrop, magic-wormhole, gun
localsend, trystero, steam2_downloader, qBittorrent, dashbeam, snapdrop, magic-wormhole, gunWhich topics is it in?tor, anticensorship, bitcoin, bittorrent, torrent, file-sharing, realtime, decentralized, anti-censorship, p2p, tls, real-time
tor, anticensorship, bitcoin, bittorrent, torrent, file-sharing, realtime, decentralized, anti-censorship, p2p, tls, real-time