What is the I2P network?

I2P is an anonymous and privacy-focused network. It offers users a secure and anonymous way to communicate online. The name "I2P" stands for "Invisible Internet Project" and it gives users anonymity that is not possible with normal internet protocols. The I2P network uses various encryption and mixnet technologies. This allows users to encrypt communication that is difficult to trace.

The I2P network is also seen as a Dark Web environment. Many people think the Dark Web is one central place, but this is not the case. For instance, there's also the TOR network which facilitates anonymous internet use. We recently wrote a blog: What is the difference between TOR and i2p? Very interesting if you want to dive deeper into the world of the Dark Web.

Why the I2P network?

The network was founded to help spread information and communication that is outside the control of governments and companies. The I2P network is designed to protect users' privacy. This means users don't need to fear that their activities are being tracked, and they can share what they want to share. The network is also intended to give users the freedom to communicate in a way that is not possible with conventional internet protocols.

How does the I2P network work?

Imagine your internet traffic is a package that you send via a complex, underground postal service, where each node in the network only knows part of the route. I2P encrypts the traffic and routes it through a network of routers. These routers, or nodes, are set up by volunteers all over the world. Every piece of data that passes through the network is wrapped in layers of encryption and passes through multiple nodes before reaching its final destination. This process, known as garlic routing, is similar to TOR's onion routing, but bundles multiple messages together to make detection and attacks even more difficult.

Setting up and using i2p

Setting up I2P is easier than you might think:

• Download and install the I2P software: Visit the official I2P website and download the software suitable for your operating system.

• Configure your browser: Follow the instructions on the website to configure your browser for use with I2P. This usually involves setting up a proxy to ensure all your internet traffic goes through the I2P network.

• Explore I2P: Once everything is set up, you can start exploring I2P services such as email, social networks, and file sharing, all anonymously.

What can you find on I2P?

The I2P network hosts a variety of services and websites, known as "eepsites", which end in .i2p. Here are some things you can find:

• Secure communication tools: Chat services and email services that offer full anonymity.

• Forums: Discussion platforms where people can speak freely about sensitive topics without fear of repercussions.

• File sharing: Services for sharing files without the usual risks of tracking or exposure.

• Web hosting: Tools and services for hosting your own websites, securely and anonymously.

Advantages

Another advantage of the I2P network is that it is much more secure than conventional internet protocols. All communication that goes through the network is encrypted with high-grade encryption. This makes it harder for hackers and other unwanted parties to gain access to information. It also offers a secured tunnel connection with which users can establish a secure connection to other computers also connected to the same network.

It is an open source project maintained through contributions from volunteers. There are several ways users can contribute to the project, including contributing to the software development process, helping maintain the network's infrastructure, or helping provide information about the network.

Other options

The I2P network is not the only option for staying anonymous. The Tor network is also an option for browsing anonymously online. In this blog we tell you more about the Tor network and how cybercriminals use it.