Jaspreet Singh · Follow
8 min read · Aug 29, 2019
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Are you one of those individuals who believe they don’t need online privacy because there is nothing to hide? That is an argument but protecting your data will help limit the power of advertisers and companies who influence you every day. “Why should I care? What services guarantee web-privacy and how?” That’s what I will uncover in this review.
Utopia is a decentralized peer-to-peer network, With Utopia you can send instant text and voice messages, transfer files, create group chats and channels, send emails and conduct a private discussion. Currently Utopia is an application for Windows, iOS and Linux which offers all the features within one application. Utopia users get on their ‘Utopia ecosystem‘ as the application also provides a built-in Idyll browser to view websites within Utopia peer-to-peer network . Utopia comes with a Cryptocurrency which is called ‘Crypton‘ and is Proof-of-Stake. uWallet allows you to store,transfer your Crypton(CRP) or even create vouchers and credit cards, Utopia Network includes Utopia Name System (UNS) which is a decentralized registry of names that are impossible to expropriate, freeze or corrupt by 3rd-party as no one has control over the system rather its self-governed by rules set in place which are applicable to everyone. After you join Utopia you may wanna drop by our Hackology channel, which you can search in the Channel Manager
I came across Utopia ecosystem two months ago; it has been available for the last five years though. What do I like the most about this product?
Self-enclosed Ecosystem: This means that third-parties never use the data you use for communication, how I express my thoughts.
Enhanced encryption: Developers employed sophisticated mechanisms to guarantee web-privacy. Even if you are not a tech geek, you can Google what elliptic curves and unique p2p architecture are. These tools are proven solutions against interception and data leakage.
All-in-one: Utopia is not only a messenger but users can mine cryptocurrency, send emails, design websites, and use maps within one ecosystem. For now, I tested a messenger and created a blog with Utopia after signing as a beta-tester.
Decentralized: Thanks to blockchain technology, anyone can enjoy security online. Decentralization means that my email, text messages, and files are not stored on one server and third-party companies are never involved in the data transmission process.
Anonymous: It was a sigh of relief when I noted that I didn’t need to mention phone number, personal data when registering on Utopia. Each User has a key which never changes and enables p2p communication as the only recipient can decrypt and see the message.
Humane: Utopia is the only Ecosystem of this kind that applies technology to protect online privacy and complete freedom of speech with no censorship. One can feel free for self-expression without being tracked while IP, location, and files are never stored or shared with anyone.
All these checkpoints in combine make Utopia one of the most interesting tools for online privacy
UTOPIA PRODUCT AND ITS FEATURES
Let’s Explore Utopia and all the features in detail. Please note as this is a beta application many of the features might change in future or some even get removed.
Utopia Encryption
Each user participates in transmission of network data but only the recipient can decrypt the data. Advanced encryption ensures interception-proof communication channel to all Utopia users. All communication is secure and protected by Curve25519 high-speed elliptic curve cryptographywhile local storage is encrypted by 256-bit AES. Big Brother is no longer watching you!
Installing Utopia
Once you register on the Beta Portal you have to download Utopia Application. After installing the application you will be given a Hardware ID and a Private Key, these keys are required to activate your beta license which can be done from the Activation Page. Please keep in mind that your beta portal website login credentials are not linked with Utopia Application and you can have a different username for the app and the website. Once you activate the license your utopia account will be tied with your beta portal account. A step by step procedure for easy understanding of the activation procedure:
Register at Utopia Beta Portal
Download Utopia software
Install the program by following simple instructions on installation wizard
Run Utopia and create your account. You will be provided with Public Key and Hardware ID. Those are needed to activate your Utopia software
Login to your account
Click on JOIN BETA
Agree to the Rules and click SUBMIT
Click on NEW ACTIVATION and Enter Public Key and Hardware ID
Click ADD
Now your Utopia is activated and you are ready to test it
Utopia Dashboard
Utopia is a feature-rich platform that is specifically designed to protect privacy of communication, confidentiality and security of personal data. It was created for privacy-conscious public who believe that privacy is paramount. Utopia is a decentralized network, with no central server involved in data transmission or storage. The network is supported by people who use its many high quality features.
The first glimpse we get of the application is at the Dashboard which has navigational menu for easy access to all of its many features for us to explore, use and report bugs while it is in beta testing phase.
uMail (Utopia Mail)
uMail is a secure alternative to classic e-mail. uMail can be sent to Utopia users that are in your contact list for now. uMail has all functionality of email localized to Utopia ecosystem. No servers are used for mail transmission or storage. uMail account, that is created by default when you join the Utopia network, enables unlimited messaging and attachment storage. Utopia ecosystem encryption guarantees the security of mail transmission and storage. Your uMail, as an internal part of Utopia, cannot be blocked or seized.
All those who value their data privacy would find this useful including activists and journalists knowing that their data is going straight to the designated user and no 3rd party can intercept their data. Currently the limit set for the attachments is 100 MB but as per the team it may be increased in future.
uWallet (Utopia Wallet)
All financial functionality can be found in Utopia built-in uWallet. uWallet allows you to make and accept payments denominated in Utopia cryptocurrency ‘Crypton‘, accept payments at your website, pay by Crypto Cards without revealing your Identity or bill fellow Utopia users for your services. With uWallet you can store value in Cryptons, receive mining rewards, use uVouchers, request payments and accept payments using the built-in API.
All of this while you remain anonymous. All payments are instant and cannot be reversed. Decentralized nature of Utopia ensures that your balance cannot be expropriated.
Utopia Mining — Crypton
Utopia has an inbuilt cryptocurrency called Crypton (CRP), which is proof-of-stake therefore a modest machine can also be used to mine cryptons through the GUI based Utopia application or with terminal based Mining bot which comes with the application.
Utopia rewards users that support the ecosystem through Mining by emission of new Cryptons. When you run your Utopia software or bot you will receive your share of collective reward. Mining does not slow your computer down and is environmentally friendly. You may also run a number of bots at several servers or computers to multiply the Crypton mining speed.
uNS (Utopia Naming System)
Utopia has introduced uNS (Utopia Naming System) which is a unique naming system and independent from the conventional Domain Naming System. DNS is subject to pressure and censorship from less than prefect international laws. Domains can be revoked or suspended due to multiple reasons, such as non-response to WhoIS inquiry or other register policies, non-payment, government actions and so on.
uNS, in contrast, is a truly decentralized non-censored registry hosted by Utopia Network participants with no expiration dates, renewal fees, suspensions and revocations. There is only one rule: First come, First served.
uNS registered name should be unique. You may register as many uNS registered names as you want while registration is not free and costs are paid in crypton:
Single letter uNS costs 1000 CRP
Two letter uNS costs 500 CRP
Three letter uNS costs 5 CRP
Four letter or more costs 0.1 CRP
Miscellaneous Features
Making Groups, Adding users, Chatting and Emailing, Sending Mails and Mining Cryptons might be the highlights but Utopia claims to be an ecosystem therefore they had to incorporate many more features so that users of Utopia ecosystem do not feel the need to go out of the system. List of other useful features within the Utopia Application are listed
Packet Forwarding : uNS Manager lists option of ‘Packet Forwarding’ which is an internal system allowing any utopian user to host a website which can be accessed by the Idyll browser, the naming system of the website is explained above, if you register hackology uNS you can make a website and it will open when you visit http://hackology/ and that is it. This option allows to tunnel any kind of data between users in ecosystem, making possible to host different types of resources including websites inside Utopia Network. At the time of writing few fellow Utopia users made Utopia sites which can be accessed at http://trade/ and at http://crystalforest
File Manager : All files which are sent or received in Utopia can be accessed from the builtin file manager which also includes an image viewer. As of now the file transfers are limited to 100MB.
Voice Notes : Utopia also supports sending and receiving of Voice messages which you can send to those who are added with you.
Dark Theme : The program comes in standard theme but how can they miss out a Dark Theme for the privacy savvy ? Users can opt for dark theme by going to Tools > Settings > Interface and selecting the ‘Dark Space‘ theme
Utopia API : Utopia comes with a comprehensive API for users to incorporate in their own projects. For instance, using API you can accept payments denominated in Crypton at your website, automatically manage your channels, send instant messages and much more. To get started once you enable the API you can also access the API documentation.
Network Fee Structure : Utopia provides us with an option to view all the network enforced fee and they are updated live on the network as the fee structure changes, thus one can stay updated with the current fee structure. You can access the Network Fee from uWallet > Treasury Data > Network Fee
Game : Utopia also supports in-app games which can be played in multiplayer, as of writing there is a working Chess game.
Utopia Reward System
Utopia is providing a very lucrative reward system, where Beta Testers, Contributors & Promoters all can join the beta portal and help test and find bugs which in return gets you ‘pts‘ where 1 pt equals to 1 USD which are paid in BTC.
We truly believe that your participation has to be exciting and mutually beneficial. Utopia Beta Program rewards your enthusiasm, commitment and dedication. No matter what is your skill set you will find an opportunity to contribute to Utopia P2P Project development
At the time of writing I have already cashed out $560 and transferred them to my own bitcoin wallet. I can vouch that if you have the eye to spot bugs it is a good place to help them and in return get paid. Uptil now Utopia team has paid out $3583 to beta testers which is a decent figure keeping in view that they launched 7 days back and still 3 months of beta testing period is left.
If you are not a bug finding sort you can still help and give them suggestions and ideas on how to improve their application or go ahead and share this on social media pages and get paid for being a ‘promoter’. Withdrawals are done manually and as per the rule it can take up-to 48 hours, but I have noticed that within an hour or so they release the funds.
Do Earn but DONT SPAM they have mentioned categorically that have zero spam tolerance
