Peer-to-peer (P2P) systems form the essence of residential VPN services. Users agree to be a part of a residential VPN pool by sharing their own internet connection and IP address with the provider in exchange for using a verified IP address from anywhere in the world.
In a peer-to-peer system, you plug into a global network of nodes run by people voluntarily. Servers worldwide combine their traffic and communicate using a peer-to-peer network. P2P networks (and P2P software) allow two devices (and therefore, two people) to communicate directly, without necessitating a third party to ensure it happens. In a P2P network, every device acts as a server to connect to the internet. These servers can then act as VPNs. All servers are paid for providing the VPN service and keeping the network powered and safe.
Mysterium VPN has a similar structure for its decentralized residential VPN service. Peer-to-peer infrastructure transforms the traditional role of a server. A web user is both a server and a client instead of a node. (The user’s computer or device technically acts as the node.)
Currently, with Mysterium VPN, you can access over 40,000 nodes (i.e., residential IP addresses) from over 135 countries.