Blockchain 3.0 (Part 3): Decentralized Domain Name System Namecoin

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What is Namecoin?

Namecoin provides similar functions to traditional DNS (Domain Name System) service providers. The difference is that Namecoin is based on a decentralized blockchain, which can prevent network censorship and ensure the free release of information.

Features of Namecoin

Before understanding the characteristics of Namecoin, let me first look at .com/.cn. The DNS service providers of com and cn are controlled by the United States and China respectively, so the government can censor the content of the website or even shut it down. Namecoin corresponds to the .bit domain name. .bit provides similar services to .com, but the .bit domain name is permanently written into the blockchain and cannot be controlled by anyone, ensuring that the website can publish information freely. For example, in extreme cases, the US government can shut down google.com, which has a global influence, but cannot shut down google.bit.

How does Namecoin work?

Namecoin shares the DNS query table through a peer-to-peer network. As long as someone in the network is running the Namecoin server software, the domain name can be accessed and no one can control it.

Is Namecoin facing problems?

By default, the browser does not support parsing .bit URLs and requires the installation of plug-ins. This problem will prevent most people from accessing .bit websites, making it difficult to popularize them to the general public.
In addition, websites in China need to be registered. If .bit cannot be registered, it cannot be hosted in a data center in China and cannot be used at all.
Due to the anonymity, low cost and uncensorable nature of Namecoin, it also facilitates illegal activities.
Therefore, .bit is just a niche DNS.

What are the areas where Namecoin is used?

In some countries where freedom of speech is strictly restricted, .bit can be used to bypass regulatory review and allow legal information to be spread freely.

Application based on decentralized domain name concept

As one of the first applications to apply blockchain technology to non-monetary fields, Namecoin has high research value. Although it is difficult to popularize due to various restrictions, its ideas can be applied to various fields. The digital identity authentication service KeyID draws on the ideas of Namecoin.

References:
Official website: http://namecoin.info/

About me: My online name is Blue Lotus, my real name is Wang Xiaoming, WeChat/QQ: 263305605. I am a partner of Zhaoxi Network (zhaoxi.co). I am committed to promoting the development of the blockchain industry and promoting blockchain solutions.