By EZ in Releases — Aug 30, 2024

NymVPN: First Commercially Available VPN on a Decentralized Mixnet

NymVPN is now publicly available for anyone to beta test for free and experience the first commercially available app to run on a decentralized mixnet. It anonymizes your identity and payments, and guards against metadata tracking, and surveillance.

We are 100% community-funded. Support our reporting.

Harry Halpin, CEO of Nym Technology, officially announced the launch of public beta testing phase of NymVPN at Web3 Summit last week.

DISCLAIMER: The Nym project launched with its own token, though mixnet VPN testers don't need to touch it. Otherwise, the implementation appears notable and something we should cover.

NymVPN's Anonymous mode uses the Nym mixnet to make traffic untraceable by routing it through 5 independent servers. Key strategies include:
- Data fragmentation: Fixed-sized, identically encrypted packets.
- Cover traffic: Sending dummy packets alongside real data.
- Packet mixing: Intermixing packets from different users.
- Timing delays: Randomizing packet handling times.
These techniques create network noise, confusing data surveillance efforts and impeding AI tracking and NetFlow analysis by ISPs.

Serious online anonymity sacrifices speed. To unlink your online activities from your identity and combat advanced AI tracking, decentralized networks are essential. More relay servers increase anonymity but slow down traffic.

Key features

Fast mode: This fast mode routes traffic through two servers to obscure IP addresses, ideal for messaging, crypto, browsing, and streaming. Upcoming WireGuard integration will boost security and efficiency.
Anonymous mode: This mode surpasses traditional VPNs by routing traffic through five servers, adding "noise," and using advanced onion encryption, ensuring extraordinary privacy. It's ideal for highly sensitive, latency-insensitive activities.
State-of-the-art, multi-layered encryption.
A decentralized network.
Added network noise to confuse data tracking.