Nym Connect

Privacy is a complicated topic. As we learn more about how the apps and services we use manage our data, it becomes increasingly clearer that anonymity on the web is not a given in today’s world. The use of ad-blocking tools, VPNs, privacy browsers and messaging platforms exemplify this notion.

Nym Connect is all about decentralization. As traffic patterns on the web being visible is a problem in and of itself, consider giving this solution a try. It seeks to protect your traffic by routing it through a decentralized protocol, helping to preserve your anonymity on certain online services.

First off, it’s to be noted that not many apps support SOCKS5, which is why the Supported Apps list is a little slim: Matrix, Telegram, and Keybase are the only supported messaging platforms, with Monero, Blockstream, Electrum, and Alephium being the only available wallets. Regardless of that, the solution should work with any app that enables assigning custom IPs and ports.

As it seems, the app was conceived to help users protect their anonymity on those specific platforms. To start routing your connection to the decentralized network, you’ll have to copy your assigned SOCKS5 address and port to an app you’re using. After that, you can enjoy the added privacy and peace of mind.

There isn’t much configurability in the Settings menus, but there are some interesting options to look at. If you find your internet speed too slow, you can enable Speed boost and get a faster connection, but at the expense of some privacy protections. It isn’t stated what protection you lose specifically, but either way, unless you’re exchanging large photos and videos, speed shouldn’t be a problem.

You may also select a gateway manually instead of having the app choose it for you. The list is quite generous, so feel free to look around. The process is similar when it comes to picking a service provider.

Per the developer, Nym Connect was built to provide users with an extra layer of privacy for crypto transactions and messaging — instant or e-mail. As it stands, the app’s endeavor to provide users with the boons of decentralized networking is commendable, and with how straightforward everything is, it's surprisingly plug-and-play, too.