In order to surf the Internet, to enter a website and to show us all the content we want and look for, certain functions and characteristics are necessary. One of these key points is DNS. It is what translates domain names into IP addresses, which prevents us from needing to remember long numbers and simply put the domain name, as this article would be. In this article we are going to talk about DNS Blockchain and how we can use it in Chrome or Firefox.
What is DNS Blockchain
We have indicated that DNS is necessary to navigate. When we put a name on the network, to access a page, what the browser does is ask a server how to interpret this data to reach the corresponding IP address. These servers may correspond to the operator that we have contracted, for example.
What about this? Many DNS servers could collect user data, track, censor, or be used for advertising purposes. This can be a problem when it comes to privacy, something that users value very much.
To avoid this is where the DNS Blockchain comes into play. It eliminates the need for a central entity to manage this, such as the operator. In this case it is something decentralized, with independent nodes. It is based on Blockchain technology, just like Bitcoin.
A Blockchain is a data structure accessible to all and distributed through a decentralized network. There is no central authority, rather it is based on multiple independent nodes. The data is entered into a Blockchain through transactions. Transactions are grouped into blocks, each block is then validated by the network. It is also based on algorithms that guarantee the integrity and security of the data.
Many Blockchain naming systems are currently under development, each with its own implementation. Some applications propose new domain name extensions (TLD), such as .bit, .zil, .crypto, .eth, etc. This is particularly the case for Namecoin and UnstoppableDomains . These systems are completely independent from traditional DNS and ICANN.
Registration is managed directly by users and name resolution is usually done through a browser extension. We can use it in both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, which are two of the most popular and used browsers today. Also Opera browser is supported.
Use Blockchain DNS in Firefox and Chrome
In both browsers the operation is the same. We are going to have to install an extension that allows us to resolve decentralized domains using public BDNS. Currently the TLDs supported by this extension are .bit (Namecoin), .lib, .bazar, .coin and .emc (Emercoin).
To install and start using Blockchain DNS we have to go to the official page of the browser, where we can find the extension. We can do this in both Firefox and Chrome. Once we are on the landing page, we simply have to click Add and it will automatically add an icon in the browser’s extensions bar.
From that moment on we don’t have to do anything else. The options of the extension are limited only to allow or not the automatic update, as well as to eliminate the program if necessary.
This extension will allow us to access Namecoin and Emercoin domain names. Both work through P2P networks with the same principle as Bitcoin, in a decentralized way.
We can see a list of these domains , as well as more information related to Blockchain DNS on its official page, where we can also find the download programs.
In short, Blockchain DNS is an alternative to traditional and centralized DNS servers. It works in the same way as Bitcoin and can bring more privacy to the users who use it. We have seen some domain names that we can use. Logically, the pages that we find working through this service are very limited. If we want to browse the web with more privacy, entering any other service, beyond using more private DNS servers, we can also install VPN tools.
