How Does Usenet Actually Work?
Breaking Down the Platform
- See how the structure of Usenet defines its function
- Why decentalization helps protect you
- Enjoy conversations free from ads or censorship
Table of Contents
How Does Usenet Actually Work?
Usenet has been around for longer than most of the Internet as we know it, but the majority of people don’t actually understand how it works and the magic that makes Usenet such a great protocol. It operates on a decentralized network of servers, enabling users to exchange articles across thousands of newsgroups. In this guide, we’ll explain how Usenet works and how you can easily start using it today.
In fact, Usenet is a unique communication and data storage/transmission protocol. As a result, it is one of the freest, most private communication tools online. Let’s explore how Usenet stands out from the rest of the Internet.
What is Usenet?
Usenet, short for User Network, functions like a massive bulletin board where users can post articles (messages) to newsgroups. Established in 1979, Usenet is a huge resource for discussion and information sharing. Unlike the Web, Usenet is not controlled by a single authority, making it a highly resilient and long-lasting platform.
Short But Relevant History
We’ve looked into the history of Usenet in other articles, but what’s important here is to understand that when Usenet was created, it linked two universities in North Carolina. Soon other colleges and universities adopted the protocol and it wasn’t long before Usenet was a network with many hubs, but no centralized authority.
The network created by the open Usenet protocol continued to grow over the years, at one point being a major draw for Internet providers to encourage signups, but the network was never consolidated. Rather, new connections were built, strengthening the infrastructure and adding redundancy. That’s led to today’s resilient, decentralized network.
How Does Usenet Work?
Usenet relies on NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) to transfer articles between servers. These servers are spread across the globe, ensuring redundancy and availability. Articles are stored on these servers, and users access them through a newsreader, which connects to a Usenet provider’s server.
Decentralization
To understand how Usenet actually works, let’s first look at the World Wide Web for contrast.
When you open a web browser and type a site into the address bar, the browser reaches out to a domain name server to find out which IP address is associated with that particular site name. An IP address is a string of numbers that tells your computer where to find the data that makes up that website so it can request it from the host computer.
The list of IP addresses and associated domain names is maintained by an international non-profit organization called ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Every website registers their domain name with ICANN, and the web server they host their site on shares its unique IP address with them to make it possible to find that site later.
Similarly, social networks are even more centralized and controlled. A social network is owned by a single company and, therefore, is subject to both legal and social pressures to engage in selective censorship. They also are much more vulnerable to requests from governments around the world, severely limiting users’ ability to have free, open discussions, organize, and protest.
Usenet doesn’t work like this at all.
While there is a management board for the Big 8 hierarchies, their job is only to help create and maintain newsgroups, not register every Usenet instance. Instead, Usenet is split into a series of “backbones.”
A Usenet backbone is a collection of servers connected to one or several providers. The servers store all Usenet posts and binaries for later retrieval by a newsreader. Most Usenet posts are available on any backbone, but because they are all operated independently of one another, there are often differences in what is and is not stored on a particular set of servers. This is why many Usenet users will have accounts with more than one provider, for example Newshosting and Tweaknews, to increase the number of potential Usenet articles they can access.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Started with Usenet
- Choose a Usenet Provider: Select from leading providers such as Newshosting or UsenetServer.
- Download a Newsreader: Popular newsreaders like SABnzbd, NZBGet, or Newsbin allow you to browse newsgroups and access articles.
- Configure Your Newsreader: Enter your Usenet provider’s server details and credentials.
- Find and Subscribe to Newsgroups: Explore newsgroups that interest you, from tech discussions to niche topics.
Censorship-Free and Secure
Because Usenet is a distributed, decentralized network, it is subject to a lot less censorship than other parts of the Internet. In fact, unlike social networks that are highly centralized and regulated, newsgroups are generally unmoderated.
There are moderated newsgroups, but most have “.moderated” appended to the end of the group name. Otherwise, newsgroups are an amazing place to post discussions without worrying about being unfairly censored or otherwise prevented from participating in the community.
Most Usenet providers also employ SSL security with their service to encrypt your data while browsing newsgroups. This is an important security feature that helps to protect your identity online and prevent others from being able to obtain your personal information.
Bottom Line
Usenet is unlike anything else online. While it was the first social network, it is a far cry from the highly centralized, highly regulated social networks of today. It doesn’t rely on a single entity to maintain its crucial infrastructure. Users have the ability to choose the provider or providers that will give them access to the articles that they most want. Usenet is closest to the ideal of a free and open Internet online today.Get a subscription from one of our Best Usenet Providers today and see for yourself how enjoyable a secure, decentralized platform like Usenet can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usenet is a decentralized network of servers where users can post and read articles (messages) in newsgroups. It was established in 1979 and operates independently of the World Wide Web, making it one of the oldest forms of online communication still in use today.
Usenet relies on a distributed network of servers that store articles. These articles are posted to specific newsgroups and then shared across other servers in the network. Users connect to these servers using a newsreader, which allows them to browse, download, and post articles.
Yes, you need a newsreader to access Usenet. A newsreader is a specialized application that connects to Usenet servers, allowing you to browse newsgroups and read or post articles. Popular newsreaders include SABnzbd, NZBGet, and Newsbin. Or you can sign up for a Newshosting account and
Newsgroups are categorized discussion forums on Usenet where users can post articles on specific topics. Newsgroups cover a wide range of subjects, from technology to hobbies, and you can subscribe to as many as you like based on your interests.
- Choose a Usenet provider: Sign up for a service like Newshosting or UsenetServer.
- Download and set up a newsreader: Install a newsreader to browse newsgroups and access articles.
- Subscribe to newsgroups: Find newsgroups that match your interests, and start participating by reading and posting articles.
While some free Usenet services are available, most reliable Usenet providers require a subscription. Paid services often offer faster speeds, more retention, and better access to a wider range of newsgroups.
Article retention refers to how long a Usenet server stores articles before they are deleted. Premium Usenet providers often offer long retention periods, sometimes up to several years, allowing you to access a vast archive of articles.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is an encryption protocol that helps secure your connection to the Usenet server. Using SSL is highly recommended for privacy, as it ensures that your Usenet activity cannot be easily monitored by third parties.
Usenet and the World Wide Web are different communication protocols. Usenet predates the web and operates on a decentralized server model, where users post and access articles in newsgroups. The Web, on the other hand, relies on centralized servers and web pages linked through hyperlinks.
Yes, using a VPN with Usenet is highly recommended for enhanced privacy and security. A VPN hides your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity, including your Usenet usage.
An NZB file is a special file format used to retrieve articles from Usenet. It contains information about where to find specific articles on the Usenet network, making it easier to download content without manually searching through newsgroups.