GNUnet

GNUnet is a Windows file sharing application whose purpose is to offer a secure peer-to-peer networking, anonymous publication and retrieval of individual files, and search results with thumbnail preview.

The framework gives you the option to make use of several features, such as link encryption, peer discovery, TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS, WLAN and Bluetooth connections, and network statistics. The utility employs an anonymous protocol for sharing files, more specifically routing queries and replies, and embeds an implementation of the GNU Name System (GNS), a private and decentralized replacement for DNS.

GNUnet reveals a multi-tabbed layout that helps you easily switch between the main features of the program, namely Welcome, General, Filesharing and Statistics. In case you don’t manage to decode the function of each built-in parameter, you can consult the help manual and follow several tutorials on the utility’s official website.

The file sharing process is not as simple as in a classical application that allows you to place the files that you want to share in a specific directory. The tool integrates an anonymous routing, breaks content into smaller pieces, works with files as a sequence of bytes, as well as uses keywords which are case-sensitive and the search string must be exactly as the one entered by the user.

Pseudonyms are RSA key pairs that allow a GPUnet user to maintain an identity. A user may have multiple pseudonyms while a namespace represents a set of files that were signed by the same pseudonym.

GNUnet gives you the possibility to publish files on GNUnet and check out additional information about them, such as metadata (filename, mime type and size), preview the images in a dedicated panel, as well as add custom keywords. The program lets you perform searches (the results may vary depending on what other users may have shared and how your peer is connected).

It lets you use different types of URIs for file-sharing, check out a list with all running applications, and specify an anonymity level. You may opt for non-anonymous connections or add a high anonymity level for better privacy.

GNUnet proves to be a secure peer-to-peer networking that allows you to publish and download files using an anonymous protocol. If privacy is what concerns you most when you work with a file sharing app, then this may be the right tool for you.