Hyphanet

Hyphanet provides a peer‑to‑peer platform for censorship‑resistant communication and publishing. It offers an encrypted, decentralized datastore that lets users anonymously share files, browse and host “freesites” (web sites accessible only through Hyphanet), and participate in forum‑style chats. The software can be run in a self‑hosted mode, includes a free tier without subscription requirements, and is released under the GPL‑2.0 license.

The system supports both a global Opennet, which connects to any node on the network, and a friend‑to‑friend mode that creates private, invisible connections. Plugins extend functionality to micro‑blogging, media sharing, video‑on‑demand, and version tracking, all while maintaining strong privacy protections. A “Shoeshop” plugin enables sneakernet transfers to bridge isolated friend‑to‑friend networks when internet access is disrupted.

Hyphanet is built with Java and distributed via installers for Windows, GNU/Linux, macOS, and other Unix‑like systems. Development follows open‑source practices, with automated builds, unit tests, and a contribution guide. The project is maintained by the original Freenet team, now operating under the Hyphanet name, and provides documentation and community support through mailing lists, IRC, and a bug tracker.