Peergos: A P2P Secure File Storage, Social Network, and Application Protocol

Introduction

Peergos is a groundbreaking peer-to-peer, secure platform that redefines file storage, social networking, and application protocols. It champions the vision of a "private web" where end-users maintain absolute control over their data, free from surveillance and tracking. At its core, Peergos provides an encrypted global filesystem with fine-grained access control, designed to resist data content or friendship graph surveillance. Key features include a secure messenger, an encrypted email client, and a completely private social network, all built on strong cryptographic principles. The name Peergos, derived from the Greek word ?????? (Pyrgos) meaning stronghold or tower, phonetically connects to its peer-to-peer nature, emphasizing its commitment to user data security.

For more in-depth information, explore the official Peergos website and its comprehensive tech book.

Installation

Getting started with Peergos involves running a local instance, which can connect to an existing Peergos account or host a new one.

Prerequisites:
You will need Java Development Kit (JDK) version 21 or higher installed.

Running Locally (Client Mode):

Download the latest Peergos.jar release from the official releases page.
Execute the daemon:
```
java -jar Peergos.jar daemon
```
This will store Peergos data in ~/.peergos by default. You can then access the web interface and log in via http://localhost:8000. In this mode, your local instance proxies writes to your home server and caches accessed blocks.

Self-Hosting (Server Mode):
To run your own Peergos home-server, which is ideal for a publicly routable and always-on machine:

Download the Peergos.jar as above.
Run with a token generation flag:
```
java -jar Peergos.jar daemon -generate-token true
```
This will provide a single-use signup token for creating new accounts on your server.

Docker images are also available for easier deployment:

docker pull ghcr.io/peergos/web-ui:master
docker run --volume $(PEERGOS_PATH):/opt/peergos/data ghcr.io/peergos/web-ui:master daemon -listen-host 0.0.0.0 -public-domain $YOUR_DOMAIN_NAME -log-to-console true

Examples

Peergos offers a robust command-line interface (CLI) for various operations, including an interactive shell.

Interactive Shell:
Connect to a Peergos server and manage your files and social interactions:

java -jar Peergos.jar shell

You will be prompted for the server address, username, and password. Once logged in, you can use commands like help to see available options or put local_path remote_path for uploading files.

Native File Access:
Peergos supports mounting your encrypted storage space natively using FUSE (Filesystem in Userspace) on Linux/macOS or WinFsp on Windows, and also provides a WebDAV bridge for accessing files with any WebDAV compatible client.

Why Use Peergos?

Peergos is built on the principle, "Control your data, control your destiny." It offers a compelling alternative to traditional centralized services by prioritizing user privacy and security through a decentralized architecture.

Key Advantages:

Ultimate Privacy and Security: End-to-end encryption ensures that your data content and metadata, including friendship graphs, are protected from surveillance. Private keys never leave your client device.
Decentralized Control: Store files in a peer-to-peer network without a central node, making it resilient to disruption and censorship. Users own their data and decide where it is stored.
Self-Hostable: Easily run your own Peergos server, gaining complete control over your storage space and communication platform.
Secure Web Applications: Load and run web apps directly from Peergos within a sandbox, preventing data exfiltration and allowing user-granted permissions.
Post-Quantum Resistance: Files not shared with other users are designed to be resistant to quantum computer-based attacks, leveraging hashing and symmetric encryption.
Trustless Servers: Your data and metadata remain secure even if your server is compromised, as encryption happens client-side.

Peergos is actively audited for security, with reports available on its website and GitHub repository.