Innovative ways have been created to deal with data privacy and security while using the internet. Virtual private networks continue to intrigue internet users across the globe. Why are people talking about decentralizing VPNs? Individual contributors have launched Sentinel Network, which provides a blockchain framework for building decentralized VPN applications. In doing so, the Sentinel ecosystem plans to permit universal access to the web in a trusted and defensible way.
Sentinel Network
The Sentinel Network is a platform that facilitates the creation of decentralized virtual private networks (DVPN). The platform intends to provide users with unhindered access to the internet, howbeit in a provable and trusted way. Sentinels blockchain ( based on Cosmos ), plans to leverage:
- Decentralized consensus
- Open-Source Networking Integrations
- Distributed Community Based Node Networks
It will also facilitate the sale of bandwidths on the marketplace on a person-to-person (p2p) basis. Furthermore, the bandwidth sale will drive the Sentinel Network via its $SENT token, which users will get for bandwidth sales. There is also a $DVPN, which is another token that allows users to get involved in on-chain governance and other use cases.
Liftoff!
Sentinel has officially minted its mainnet genesis block on @cosmos SDK.
This is a pivotal moment in the journey toward #dVPN mass adoption.$SENT token is now $DVPN#mainnet #launch #complete pic.twitter.com/FgXb65uU3Y
— Sentinel dVPN ⚛️ (@Sentinel_co) March 27, 2021
It may interest you to know that the platform raised capital of about $3.5 million in February. The company is set to roll out different decentralized innovations, and thus create a plethora of opportunities for DApp creators.
With its end-to-end encryption between the accessed servers and users, it removes the restrictions on some internet protocols. It is a transparent system, as there will be no user log collation and private data will remain private.
VPNs And DVPNs
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a software or application that allows users to get secure connections to other networks. Basically, VPN users have the ability to mask their locations and other internet protocols.
However, there is one problem with VPNs; a problem that permeates several centralized systems, and that is centralization. Centralization means there is a central authority that can pull the plug on your activities anytime.
A Decentralized Virtual Private Network (DVPN) takes VPNs to a different level by bringing more privacy features. Its decentralization is indicative of the fact that no entity can pull the plug while using the DVPN. According to Sentinel, decentralized VPNs offer:
- Provable Encryption: end-to-end encryption between users and servers
- Proof of Bandwidth: Facilitated compensation in a trustless way
- Proof of No Logs: Proves that users data is not being centrally stored
- Distributed Exit Nodes: A network of exit nodes results in distributed ownership
- Distributed Relay Networks: Strong governance reduces the risk of illicit behavior
“The Sentinel Network hosts open-source distributed and decentralized applications that provide users with assurance that their session information is not being logged, their communication is not being stored, and that not even the creator of the application can view any of their data.”
DVPNs Use case
According to Coindesk, there has been an increased demand for decentralized VPN in Nigeria since the #EndSars protests began. This increased interest in DVPNs was based on reports that there was a possibility of an internet blackout. Furthermore, with the pandemic, people needed ways to use the internet without restrictions.
Imagine you want to stream your favorite movie or series, and discover the content isn’t available for your location. Sites do that for different reasons, but you can find your way around that with a VPN in many scenarios.
Some students are restricted from accessing resources on some sites because their location won’t allow them. With a decentralized VPN, these restrictions can be navigated.
VPNs have definitely become a valuable tool for people around the globe, but DNPNs have the opportunity to monetize and seem to be the future of virtual private networks.
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