# DEVPN Hybrid VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that encrypts your internet connection, creating a secure and private tunnel for your online activities making it difficult for hackers, websites, and even your internet service provider to track your browsing habits or access your personal information.&#x20;

**Important VPN differences**

'VPN' is a widely used generic term by providers that includes various combinations of technical solutions, much like the term 'lock' broadly describes a security device intended to prevent unauthorized access.

Locks range from extremely heavy-duty deadbolts that provide top-notch safety and security, to flimsy padlocks that offer little to no protection and can snap open with the slightest amount of force.

The same logic that applies to the word 'lock' also applies to the hundreds of VPN providers available in the market, which is why DEVPN has included detailed information in this GitBook to educate users about the differences and dangers of choosing a random, potentially harmful VPN service.

This chapter serves as a brief, yet essential introduction to what DEVPN feels is wrong in the VPN provider market, and how we provide users with a higher grade of service to protect their interests.&#x20;

**Where most VPN providers fail**

There literally are hundreds of VPN providers on the market, and while some offer extremely strong encryption, fast connection speeds, and highly dependable service, the reality is that the vast majority can be compared to flimsy locks: they are slow, unreliable, or very vulnerable to security breaches.

Given that users seek a VPN provider to ensure privacy, increase safety, and bypass geo-restrictions, it is sadly ironic that most VPN providers fail to effectively meet one or more of these essential needs.

Furthermore, we explicitly warn users that many questionable VPN providers, especially those in the mobile and 'free' categories, operate under commercial models that exploit their user driven data.

This data is collected and sold by corporations without the explicit permission or knowledge of users. Current legislative efforts, such as GDPR, unfortunately do not provide sufficient protection against these practices due to legal loopholes and creative accounting by large advertising corporations.

**VPN market growth**

The VPN market currently has over 1.5 billion global VPN users out of 5+ billion internet users.&#x20;

Factors such as structural global internet user growth and increasing concerns about privacy and security breaches are widely expected to drive significant VPN user growth over the next 5 to 10 years.

DEVPN is uniquely positioned to take full advantage of the anticipated growth in the VPN market:

* The long-term shakeout of a large quantity of unreliable VPN providers is inevitable.
* Our Hybrid VPN service provides a technical superior service.
* DEVPN provides a viable decentralized ownership alternative to corporate VPN providers.
* Our ecosystem model covers both passive and entrepreneurial investors.
* The global Web2 to Web3 service conversion follows a similar expected 5 to 10 year timeline.&#x20;
* DEVPN is the first to market with user-oriented, all-round privacy and convenience solutions.
* DEVPN offers superior solutions ranging from single-use to complete family and home protection.

**True user needs**

This GitBook contains a thorough section specifically for users that [outline critical user needs](https://devpn.gitbook.io/devpn/users/vpn-user-needs) that are an eye-opener for new VPN users or specifically for those dissatisfied with their current provider.

DEVPN offers [clear solutions](https://devpn.gitbook.io/devpn/users/vpn-user-solutions) that outline our unique features in plain English, highlighting what sets us apart from competitors and how these differences provide better solutions for users.

Both sections offer a thorough and detailed insight into DEVPN’s unique features and competitive advantages. They also serve as exemplary pieces of the educational content that DEVPN will publish across various written media, including press releases, Medium articles, and industry news articles.

**Hybrid VPN solution**

DEVPN is pioneering the future of Virtual Private Networks with its Hybrid VPN service that integrates both decentralized and traditional technologies to deliver premium privacy and performance.&#x20;

By leveraging the first hybrid VPN model with broadest array of nodes and advanced privacy features, DEVPN provides a robust shield against the diverse range of threats that compromise online security:

* **Data-center nodes**\
  \- DeFi-leased nodes, providing structural deployment flexibility as needed.\
  \- DeFi-owned nodes, providing the growth and core structure to cover large volume traffic.\
  \- Multiple strategically chosen global hosting centers.
* **Decentralized nodes**\
  \- Mobile nodes, dedicated hardware platform, providing a dedicated dVPN privacy network.
* **Personal VPN network**\
  DEVPN offers mid- to large-scale organizations the flexibility to collaborate with us in designing a tailor-made privacy solution. This solution can incorporate all technical elements of our ecosystem, creating a customized infrastructure based on specific organizational needs, size, and budget.

**VPN provider structures**

Just as locks can range from a basic padlock to a sophisticated deadbolt, traditional VPN services and providers vary widely in terms of security, speed, reliability, and, importantly, organizational structures.

The variation in VPN providers can generally be categorized into these organizational structures:

* **Corporate/Commercial VPN Providers:**\
  Companies that offer VPN services to consumers, ranging from single purpose audiences, up to global server network users, often subject to data retention laws and government requests.
* **Decentralized VPN Providers:**\
  Decentralized VPNs operate through a peer-to-peer network, where users share their resources to create the network. DVPN's are typically driven by ethical community involvement and are more resistant to censorship and government intervention; however, they often suffer from lower speeds.
* **Self-Hosted VPNs:**\
  These are VPNs where a group of users or a company sets up and manages their own servers. This structure offers maximum control over privacy and security but requires a lot of technical expertise and maintenance efforts from the organization, and is rarely offered to outsiders or the public.
* **Non-Profit VPN Providers:**\
  These VPNs (central or decentral) are operated by non-profit organizations focused on privacy, security, and freedom of information. They often rely on donations or volunteer support, have a predominantly closed or local user base.
* **Hybrid VPN Providers:**\
  Traditional hybrid providers combine elements of both corporate and decentralized models. They typically maintain a centralized (corporate) management structure while integrating decentralized VPN (DVPN) technologies or community-driven approaches for certain aspects of their service.

To provide a comprehensive market view, we will also include the following additional categories. While technically variations of the types mentioned earlier, they are common enough to warrant attention:

* **OEM / White-lable Providers**\
  OEM/White-label VPN providers offer VPN services under their own brand but use the technology and infrastructure developed by other companies. This allows them to sell VPN solutions without development costs, and can be found predominantly lower quality section of the market.
* **Bundled VPN**\
  These VPNs are provided as part of a broader suite of services. Often, they are included with software or hardware purchases, and tend to by eith a white-lable or limited corporate variant.
* **Single Application Only VPN**\
  These VPNs are either limited white-label, corporate, or self-hosted VPNs solutions tailored for a specific app. They can vary widely in quality, so we strongly recommend especially mobile app users to thoroughly read reviews from other users to get a sense of their performance.

**Ownership and governance**

DEVPN Hybrid VPN is designed to apply the strengths of decentralized finance (DeFi) investors to solidify a financially healthy, robust and innovative solution focused on quality, speed and innovation.

We are committed to scaling our users, nodes, and market share, with a strong focus on providing financial incentives, user rewards, and effective brand and project marketing.

By adopting a decentralized ownership model, DEVPN offers a solid utility investment, allowing investors to lease or own key resources essential for operating our VPN networks.

Our DEVPN DAO serves as the governing body, enabling transparent and democratic decision-making among all stakeholders, including investors, users, and operators. It ensures the community actively participates in shaping the project's long-term goals, financial strategies, and technical developments.

For more information on our [$DEVPN investment opportunities](https://devpn.gitbook.io/devpn/privacy-services/broken-reference), please refer to our dedicated investors section. It details how DeFi investors can participate at various levels, benefit from different rewards, and get involved in the governance and growth of our ecosystem.
