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# Blockchain

**Blockchain** is software technology that allows computers to run as a democratic group of participants.

#### Blockchain vs. Traditional Internet

Normally, when someone uses a computer to make changes on the internet, such as making a social media post, or depositing money into a bank account, that information is verified by and stored in a centralized server. "Centralized" means the server is controlled by a single company or person.

With **blockchain technology**, there are no centralized servers or verifiers. On a blockchain, all information is democratically verified by and stored by the blockchain's users. Every change made to a blockchain is shared and recorded across all users, and can never be hidden.

#### Blockchain and Security

While normal websites and servers can be manipulated, blockchains are exceptionally tamper-proof:

1. **Democracy** - verification of blockchain information is democratic; there are no singular organizations that can control them "internally." With blockchain, there is no "internally."
2. **Decentralization** - information recorded on blockchains is distributed across all types of people, companies, and nations. There are no single points of failure.
3. **Privacy** - personal information is never required to use blockchain. By default, users are anonymous, and never risk personal information at any step, because they never need to share it.
4. **Cryptography** - when verification is required, all personal information can be encrypted and used to make proofs, such as proof of identity, without actually sharing the information itself. Instead, "cryptographic proofs" are sent between computers, rather than the information itself.
5. **Immutability** - whenever any information is changed on a blockchain, information about that change is permanently recorded in a list, which every user can view and verify. As a result, [thieves and nefarious actors are easier to track down by law enforcement](https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenehrlich/2021/04/13/janet-yellen-bitcoin-and-crypto-fearmongers-get-pushback-from-former-cia-director/?sh=6cc1d5519bb7).

By these features combined, blockchains add a new level of trustability and security to websites and apps using them.

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