ZeroNet — Decentralized Websites Using Bitcoin and BitTorrent

Introduction

ZeroNet is an open network for uncensorable, decentralized websites. It uses Bitcoin cryptography for user identity and BitTorrent technology for content distribution, meaning sites remain online as long as at least one peer is serving them.

What ZeroNet Does

• Hosts websites on a peer-to-peer network without central servers
• Uses Bitcoin-style public/private key pairs for site ownership and authentication
• Distributes content via BitTorrent protocol for efficient file sharing
• Supports real-time content updates pushed to all peers via WebSocket
• Provides built-in SQL database support for dynamic site content

Architecture Overview

ZeroNet runs a local Python server that acts as both a web server (serving sites to your browser on localhost:43110) and a BitTorrent-like peer that seeds site files to others. Each site is identified by a Bitcoin address, and content is signed by the site owner's private key. Peers verify signatures before accepting updates, ensuring content integrity without trusting any central authority.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Install via pip or download the bundled distribution for your OS
• Runs on port 43110 (HTTP UI) and 15441 (peer protocol) by default
• Configure Tor integration for anonymous hosting via zeronet.conf
• Sites are stored in the data/ directory as plain files with content.json manifests
• No domain registration needed; site address is derived from the cryptographic key pair

Key Features

• True censorship resistance with no single point of failure
• No hosting costs since visitors automatically help serve the site
• Works offline and syncs when reconnected to the network
• Built-in user identity system without passwords
• Supports namecoin for human-readable domain names (.bit)

Comparison with Similar Tools

• IPFS — Content-addressed file storage but lacks built-in identity and real-time updates
• Tor Hidden Services — Provides anonymity but still requires a central server to host content
• Freenet — Older decentralized network, slower and less developer-friendly
• Dat/Hypercore — Peer-to-peer data sharing focused on datasets rather than websites
• GNUnet — Academic decentralized framework with higher complexity

FAQ

Q: Do sites stay online when I close ZeroNet? A: Yes, as long as at least one other peer has a copy of the site. Popular sites are served by many peers simultaneously.

Q: Is ZeroNet anonymous? A: By default, your IP is visible to peers. Enable Tor integration in settings for anonymous operation.

Q: Can I use ZeroNet for dynamic websites? A: Yes. ZeroNet includes a built-in SQLite-based database system and supports user-submitted content via merged sites.

Q: How large can a ZeroNet site be? A: The default size limit is 10 MB per site, though site owners can configure higher limits that peers may choose to accept.

Sources

• https://github.com/HelloZeroNet/ZeroNet
• https://zeronet.io