this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2024
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Privacy

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Decentralized VPNs - clueless edition (self.privacy)
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by shapesandstuff to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
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EDIT: sorry for the rambly post here's a quick clarification I wanted a decentralized/open source variant of something like NordVPN etc.

Crypto-based options I found: Sentinel, Mysterium , Orchid All of those are on the Blockchain and use their own coins as a payment system, both to pay usage fees and to pay out node-hosts. Not sure if that's my jam.

I tried to use the search and came up short - so point me elsewhere if there's already a discussion.

Let me preface this by saying I'm pretty green when it comes to a lot of the deeper aspects of FOSS privacy tools. Meaning that i'm probably more clueless about this topic than I realise.

Had a bit of a shower thought moment earlier and googled if decentralized VPNs are an option for the occasional torrent.
Did a bit of a google and came up with a couple of options, seemingly all tied into a blockchain with their own coin for payments - either using or hosting a node.

I'm a bit allergic to cryptobros and their blockchain-everything-mentality but I suppose it's not a terrible system for the usecase?

So are there people on here who have hands-on experience with this? Is it a valid tool for safer browsing and torrenting?

Are there any obvious alternatives I should look into?

Are there any obvious risks I'm not aware of?

Is the concept flawed altogether?

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[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 10 points 2 weeks ago

I2p

[–] 31337@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Tor for browsing is similar to a VPN. I2p and Tribbler for downloads is also similar. You could also just rent a cheap VPS and set up your own VPN. There's a high chance people will be doing illegal shit through a VPN-like services, so I don't think a p2p VPN-like service where everyone is like an exit node is viable.

[–] shapesandstuff 1 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah I was thinking of TOR when I read about the concept, but I did read a lot in the past how a lot of the nodes aren't really secure anymore.
I'll check out the other suggestions. The sidebar doesn't mention piracy, so I'll just come out the gate and say that that's my usecase via torrents.
Which can get pretty expensive where I live due to absurd legal definitions. My thought process was if a P2P VPN gets me through another country where it's not persecuted as much I'd be safer than going with the proprietary big names.

[–] masterofn001@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I use tor as a VPN (the tor org has finally realized and accepted people use it like this and welcome it now) via the tor network layer. I'll run a few instances and run my stuff through them. (Easier to set up a conjure or webtunnel bridge and exit node to a specific country than rely on the randomness of tor browser where some countries have restrictions or are restricted from accessing certain sites.)

If I need that extra sense of anonymity, I'll use the tor browser.

[–] IDKWhatUsernametoPutHereLolol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Tor isn't really VPN. Its much slower, and is far more likely to get blocked compared to a VPN.

[–] masterofn001@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 weeks ago

True. Technically just a proxy.

But, I'm broke. And it's fast enough (with the right node)

So tor and protonvpn are what I use.

I've had issue with proton being blocked though, too. But a quick server change and everything is OK.

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

TOR, I2P, SPN are the only ones I'm aware of that are functional

[–] Akip@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 weeks ago

I wasn't aware of SPN thanks!

[–] meyotch@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I recently began learning about mixnets. Interesting stuff there. Look up the Nym project for example

[–] shapesandstuff 2 points 2 weeks ago

Checking it out, thanks

[–] oshu@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

As a category, decentralized vpns are interesring.

It comes down to specific details of the exact provider compared with your own security objectives, to evaluate if it will work for your needs.

[–] shapesandstuff 1 points 2 weeks ago

I condensed the posts a bit since it was a bit too vague.

[–] DieserTypMatthias@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Tailscale maybe.

[–] shapesandstuff 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That reads more like connecting my own devices in a private VPN right?
I was hoping for an alternative to Nord and the likes.

[–] DieserTypMatthias@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 weeks ago

Rent a VPS for a penny and set it up as an exit node.

[–] iii@mander.xyz 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Something like tinc? (1)

[–] jim3692@discuss.online 4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Is this like Tailscale? Maybe closer to Headscale, as tinc seems to be completely self hosted.

I think the OP is looking for a decentralized alternative to something like Nord/Express/Mullvad to hide their traffic, and not a way to connect their devices together.

[–] shapesandstuff 2 points 2 weeks ago

I think the OP is looking for a decentralized alternative to something like Nord/Express/Mullvad to hide their traffic, and not a way to connect their devices together.

exactly! Sorry if i didn't write that clearly in the post.

[–] iii@mander.xyz 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Ah yes, there's no turnkey, pay 5USD, tinc provider.

From a users point of view, it's like wireguard, without the star configuration and manual ip config and routing.

[–] jim3692@discuss.online 2 points 2 weeks ago

WireGuard supports mesh as well, but it requires to manually configure all the keys and all the IPs on all devices.

There is wgsd, which supposedly makes WireGuard mesh networking easier, but I haven't tried it.