What is Web3 Browser: Check the Next Generation of Internet
The development of Web 3.0 can be seen as one of the most popular initiatives to emerge along with decentralized infrastructure. The technology speaks of an internet version supporting a decentralized ecosystem where users fully own their content. Thriving on the blockchain channel, Web3 provides a secure, transparent, and immutable interface where users can share ideas, trade, and grow as a community. I know it sounds a little bit spooky and full of technical words and terminology, but I promise that at the end of the article, you will have a solid understanding of it.
Table of Contents
What is a Web3?
Web3 browser allows users to browse the decentralized web as well as access decentralized applications built on top of the blockchain. Also, Web3 browsers have blockchain integration, support crypto wallets, and integrate peer-to-peer file hosting solutions.
It uses blockchains, different cryptocurrencies, and NFT ecosystem to return power to users in the form of ownership.
A Web3 browser wouldn’t be complete if it wasn’t equipped with its own Web3 wallet. The Web3 browsers come with their own Web3 wallet, which allows you to buy, sell, and exchange cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.
How does a Web3 Browser Work?
Web3 internet browsers give access to the world of DApps and the digital economy. With the help of cryptography and public blockchains, the Web3 browser can give control to users by destroying centralized institutions. In addition, it allows rewarding consumers for interacting with content or watching carefully selected ads on Web3 browsers and decentralized social media platforms.
Moreover, Web3 browsers allow users to use standard browser features to retain data ownership and share revenue.
You may be wondering if Chrome is a Web3 browser. Actually, Chrome is a Web2 browser, just like Safari and Firefox. However, users can access Web3 apps with Web2 browsers using a Web3 wallet like MetaMask.
Features of Web3 Browsers
So, what are the main features and characteristics that distinguish it from the ordinary Web?
Web 3.0 Crypto
Web 3.0 Crypto refers to the integration of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology into the next evolution of the Internet. With blockchain technology, it is possible to create decentralized platforms that provide secure and transparent transactions and a new way to manage data and assets online.
One of the key benefits of using blockchain technology in Web 3.0 is that it removes the need for intermediaries, banks, or other financial institutions, in transactions. This results in faster and cheaper transactions, as well as increased security and transparency. Furthermore, blockchain technology allows the creation of smart contracts: self-executing contracts in which the terms of an agreement between a buyer and seller are written directly into lines of code.
The integration of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency in Web 3.0 could revolutionize how we manage data, assets, and transactions online. This enables a more decentralized, secure, and efficient Internet use, which can significantly impact various industries and the global economy.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence will be the second major technology driver for Web 3.0 (AI). AI has evolved to the point where it can make proactive, relevant, and useful productions and judgments. AI supports many of the most important Web 3.0 features.
For example, the semantic web is designed to allow humans and computers to interact through speech, text, and other interfaces. To understand how it works, you need to learn about NLP (Natural Language Processing), which is a branch of computer science that allows machines to understand written and spoken language. NLP uses complex algorithms to allow computers to read, understand and infer from words and phrases, an evolution of earlier applications such as spell-checking and auto-complete.
The convergence of technological advancements – AI, NLP, and the semantic web – allows computers to be vastly more intuitive than they are now.
Personalization and Intelligent Searches
Personalization and Intelligent searches are two key Web 3.0 features that provide users a more personalized and efficient online experience. Personalization refers to using artificial intelligence and machine learning to create a more personalized and relevant user experience on the web. This includes more accurate search results, personalized recommendations, and the ability to process and understand neutral language.
For instance, if you are searching for a product, the AI will give you results for that product and similar products, as well as one you might prefer based on your browsing history. Personalization is also used to create a better user experience by predicting what users want to see next and providing it to them before they even ask.
Intelligent searches are another important feature of Web 3.0. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are used to analyze and understand the intent of a user’s search query and provide more accurate and relevant results.
This includes the ability to understand natural language, provide more accurate search results, as well as understand the context, and provide more relevant results. For example, if you search for a restaurant, the AI will provide you with results for that restaurant and similar restaurants based on location, prices, and ratings.
Personal Data Control
When someone asks what the features of Web 3.0 are, it’s important to list how they feel about privacy control. This means that the Internet will only allow users to share the amount of data they are comfortable sharing. They will have every right to share any content and hide certain data.
Personal data control is an important aspect of Web 3.0, which aims to give users more control over their data and how it is used. With the rise of data breaches and privacy concerns, Web 3.0 plans to ensure that users can share personal information without compromising privacy.
Zero-knowledge proofs are one of the key technologies to control personal data in Web 3.0.
This method allows users to prove that they have certain information without disclosing it themselves. Users will be able to share personal information, like their identity or location, without compromising their privacy.
Another aspect of Web 3.0 personal data control is the use of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). They are designed to protect user privacy by encrypting personal data, making it difficult for third parties to access and use.
Ubiquity
One of the main features of Web 3.0 is accessibility to all users at any time with zero latency. All this will be provided with the help of IoT sensors. It will also mean that you can access the Internet without depending on a server connection.
Ubiquity refers to the seamless and ubiquitous integration of the Internet into all aspects of everyday life. This important aspect of Web 3.0 aims to create a seamless and ubiquitous online experience where it is possible for users to access the Internet from anywhere, anytime, and on any device.
One of the most important factors in the ubiquity of Web 3.0 is the development of 5G networks. 5G networks provide faster and more reliable internet connections, allowing users to access the Internet from more remote locations and with more devices.
The development of the Internet of Things is another essential aspect of ubiquity in Web 3.0. The IoT is a network of physical devices, buildings, vehicles, and other items equipped with sensors, software, and network connections that allow them to collect and share data. This will allow users to access the Internet from a wide variety of devices, such as smart home devices, cars, and wearables, increasing the ubiquity of the Internet.
Decentralization
The development of decentralized networks is one of the most visible characteristics of Web 3.0. Decentralized and distributed networks are a vital part of the web 3.0 framework, allowing users to trade or exchange data without intermediaries, lack of ownership, or compromising user privacy. Web 3.0 emphasizes the concept of “decentralized data,” which means the consumerization of data management.
All peer-to-peer transactions are recorded on the blockchain, a decentralized ledger. Using this method, participants can verify transactions without the need for a central authority. Potential apps include money transfers, settlements, voting, etc. Thus, Web 3.0 apps, also called DApps, will run on blockchains, decentralized peer-to-peer networks, or a combination of both.
3D and Spatial-Experienced UX
3D and spatial-experienced UX (User Experience) are important key features of web 3.0 that provide a more immersive and interactive online experience. With the development of virtual and augmented reality technologies, 3D and spatial-experienced UX allows users to interact with digital objects in a more realistic and intuitive way.
3D and spatial-experienced UX provides a more realistic online experience. This includes more intuitive navigation, interaction, and engagement with digital objects, which can improve the overall user experience. For example, in the e-commerce industry, this allows shoppers to walk through the store and products virtually, giving them a better idea of the products before buying.
3D and spatial-experienced UX plays an essential role in the development of the metaverse world. The metaverse is a virtual reality where its users can interact not only with each other but also with digital objects in an immersive way. This concept is becoming increasingly important in Web 3.0 as VR and AR technologies advance.
Another advantage of 3D and spatial-experienced UX is that it can revolutionize industries like gaming, education, and tourism.
Redefined Data Ownership
Redefined data ownership means users’ have greater control over their data and how it is used. This is a vital aspect of Web 3.0 that aims to give users more control over their data and how it is used.
One of the most important technologies to redefine data ownership in Web 3.0 is the use of decentralized storage. This allows users to store their data on a decentralized network, making it harder for hackers to access and steal personal information.
Another essential aspect of redefined data ownership in Web 3.0 is blockchain technology. Blockchain technology enables the creation of decentralized platforms like decentralized finance and decentralized autonomous organizations that enable secure and transparent transactions and a new way to manage data and assets online.
Moreover, the redefined data ownership provides a self-sovereign identity. With the help of this concept, users can control and manage their personal data. It gives users more control over their personal data and only allows them to share it with parties they trust.
How to Use a Web3 Browser?
Web3 wallets can be embedded in traditional web browsers by allowing flexible access to decentralized applications without the help of other intermediaries while maintaining full ownership of their assets. In addition, users are able to access the Web3 economy, so there is no need to go through any Know Your Customer or Anti-Money laundering procedures.
Furthermore, crypto assets can be stored and efficiently managed using Web3 wallets. However, if someone loses their seed phrase, they can lose funds, unlike centralized custodial wallets.
Why is Web3 Important?
Although the key features of Web3 are not isolated and do not fit into clear categories, for the sake of simplicity, we have tried to separate them so that they are easier to understand.
Ownership
Web3 can give ownership of digital assets in an unprecedented way. For example, let’s say you’re playing the game web2. If you buy an in-game item, it will be directly linked to your account. If the game’s creators delete your account, then you will likely lose these items.
Or, you may lose the value you have invested in your in-game items if you stop playing the game.
Web3 allows direct ownership through NFTs. No one, not even the game’s creators, has the right to deprive you of ownership. And if you don’t want to play anymore, you can sell or trade your in-game collected items in the open markets and get a refund.
Censorship Resistance
The power of dynamic content creators as well as platforms, is largely unbalanced. There is a user-generated adult content site called OnlyFans, with over 1 million content creators that use the platform as their main source of income. In August 2021, OnlyFans announced they planned to ban sexually explicit content.
The announcement sparked outrage among creators on the platform, who felt they were being deprived of income on the platform they helped create. After a backlash, the decision was quickly reversed. Even though the creators have won this battle, it highlights a problem for the creators of Web 2.0: you lose the reputation and the subscribers you have amassed if you leave the platform.
You can find your data on the blockchain in Web3. When you decide to leave the platform, you can take your reputation with you by connecting it to a different interface that more clearly aligns with your values.
According to Web 2.0 requirements, content creators should trust the platforms and not charge the rules, but censorship resistance is a natural feature of Web3 platforms.
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs)
In addition to owning your data in Web3, owning the platform as a collective using tokens that act like company shares is possible. With DAOs, you can coordinate decentralized ownership of a platform and even decide its future. Amazing, I know!
Technically, DAOs are defined as consensus smart contracts that automate decentralized decision-making regarding a pool of resources (tokens). Users with tokens vote on how resources are spent, and the code automatically executes the outcome of the vote.
However, many Web3 communities are defined as DAOs. All these communities have different levels of decentralization and automation through code.
Identity
Traditionally, you create an account for each platform that you use. For example, if you have Twitter, Reddit, and YouTube accounts and you want to change your name or profile picture, you should do it across every account.
In some cases, you can use social media to log in, but this creates censorship. These platforms are able to block you from your entire online life with one click. Even worse, many platforms require you to trust them with personal information in order to create an account.
These problems are solved by allowing you to control your digital identity and personal information with an Ethereum address and an ENS profile. Ethereum address provides a secure, censorship-resistant, and anonymous cross-platform single sign-on.
Native Payments
Web2 payment infrastructure relies on banks and payment systems, except for people who don’t have bank accounts or those who live in another country. Tokens like ETH are used by Web3 in order to send money directly to the browser, and it doesn’t require a trusted third party.
How to Access a Web3 Browser?
It is possible to access any Web3 browser using your MetaMask wallet browser or use the Web3 browsers of your choice, including Osiris, Brave, Opera, etc.
When you have determined which Web3 wallet you are going to use, you will either:
- Download the browser of your choice
- Install the extension for your regular browser to make it Web 3.0 friendly
You have to choose one of these browsers and download it to your computer. Then you should open the app, follow the instructions and start browsing.
If you want to continue using Chrome, Edge, Tor, or Firefox, just add the MetaMask browser extension. This extension turns your regular browser into a Web3 that interacts with Ethereum DApps.
Best Web3 Browsers
The discussion so far clearly shows how the Internet is slowly shifting towards Web 3.0 trends. Many payment services, apps, and websites are gradually moving towards decentralization and creating their own online experience.
Various Web 3.0 browsers have also begun to influence the modern tech landscape, providing opportunities for anonymous browsing and private interaction with decentralized apps.
The ever-expanding list of Web 3.0 browsers can cause serious doubts for users before downloading a Web3 browser. Here you can find some of the leading players in the web browser market.
- Brave
Brave is an open software offering privacy features and a free business model. It complements users’ super app free video calls, fully offline search, offline playlists, and even a personalized news feed. Brave can block rockets and obscene ads by default on all websites that users visit.
In addition, Brave’s all-new NFTs gallery features provide users with a streamlined interface for viewing and managing NFT collections.
Moreover, by viewing ads, you can earn passive income in the form of Basic Attention Tokens. Another notable feature of the brave Web3 browser is the inclusion of the IPFS feature, which provides built-in decentralized file storage and reduces data concentration by distributing file storage across the worldwide web.
- Opera
Users with interest in cryptography and knowledge of blockchain can enjoy a convenient, private, and secure Web3 experience with Opera, Crypto Browser with features like phishing protection, a secure clipboard, malicious address verification, and Wallet Sector, the industry’s first multi-wallet management tool.
Either ETH, ERC-20, and ERC-721 tokens are backed by a built-in crypto waller and multiple blockchains, including Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible chains, Bitcoin solutions, and layer-2 solutions. In addition, Opera has a strong partner network with these partners like Solana or Polygon throughout the crypto ecosystem.
Moreover, users can quickly access Telegram, Discord, Twitter, WhatsApp, and other social apps from the Crypto Browser sidebar in order to stay connected to their communities. Additionally, users can access future airdrops, industry updates, event calendars, gas prices, instructional content, and other data through the integrated Crypto Corner.
- Osiris
The world’s first web-neutral browser, Osiris, wants to free people from the commercialism, shackles of censorship as well as bias that have permeated the Internet. Osiris claims to be a blockchain-based browser that bans all commercials and trackers by default and explicitly states that it is self-sufficient without ad money.
With Osiris Armor, users are able to adjust their privacy settings and view the number of ads and scripts that have already been banned. Moreover, it offers a multi-wallet called Metawallet, which embeds a wallet in the browser and supports multiple cryptocurrencies in order to enhance the Web3 experience for blockchain users.
- Puma
Yuriy Dybskiy, a Ukrainian-Canadian developer, founded Puma Browser in January 2019. It provides access to Ethereum Name Service and Handshake and InterPlanetaryFileSystem domains, as well as seamless payments for content creators, game and app developers via Coil Content Network and Interledger Protocol.
With the help of the Puma browser, web monetization work is performed like this:
- A monthly fee of $5 is payable by Coil Members for accessing user-generated content.
- Interested users are able to create a digital wallet and earn from their content.
- While Coil Members are enjoying user-generated content, Coil is transferring funds to their wallets.
- Beaker
Beaker Browser allows you to host peer-to-peer websites called Hyperdrives in a private mood. Only those with a Hyperdrive link can access the website once it has been created. To build hostless apps, the Beaker browser offers new APls while remaining compatible with the rest of the Web.
Beaker displays the full structure of the site in a GitHub-like format, unlike most browsers which show the page’s source code to site visitors. You can also host your own website fork.
Pros and Cons of Web3 Browsers
Even though it is easy enough to accept the many benefits and perks associated with using the Web 3.0 browser, we can’t dive deep into it without also recognizing the disadvantages of the browser.
If you’re planning to move your business to web3 browsers, you need to know some of the site’s advantages and disadvantages to make an informed decision.
Pros of Web3 Browsers:
- Expanded data is connected. It helps in networking online information without exposing it to any third-party applications.
- Proficient looking. This allows you to grow your business on a professional site without constantly viewing ads or other internet junk.
- Makes the web more secure. The best part of the Web 3.0 browser is probably the security it promises to its users.
- More productive web browsing. We can all agree that we spend a lot of time looking at useless things on the Internet. One of the great things about Web 3.0 browsers is that there is no distraction from your main task.
- Easier internet access. Web browsing becomes much easier because the browser can be personalized to suit your needs.
Cons of Web3 Browsers:
- High-tech gadgets are required. Less advanced gadgets will be unable to run Web 3.0 browsers, which is one of the biggest disadvantages.
- Too confusing for new customers. If you are not used to Web 3.0 browsers, this can be very confusing for beginners.
- Risk of information leakage. Someone can easily steal your personal information and use it to empty your digital wallet.
Many laws need to be changed. Many laws of web3 browsers need to be revisited to ensure the security and ownership of anything.
Web3 Limitations
Even though there are many advantages of Web3 in its current form, let’s be realistic, as there are many limitations that the ecosystem must address in order to thrive.
- Accessibility
Important Web3 features, such as Ethereum login, are already available to everyone at no cost. But the relative transaction cost is still prohibitive for many. Web3 is less likely to be used in less wealthy developing countries because of the high transaction fees.
Ethereum addresses these issues through network upgrades and layer 2 scaling solutions, although the outcome isn’t as perfect as everyone anticipated. So, even though the technology is ready, we need higher Layer 2 adoption to make Web3 accessible to everyone.
- User Experience
The technical barrier to entry into the use of Web3 is currently too high. Users must understand security issues, comprehend complex technical documentation, and navigate non-intuitive user interfaces. Wallet providers, in particular, are working on a solution to this problem, but more progress is needed before Web3 is adopted en masse.
- Education
It’s amazing how Web3 introduces new paradigms that require learning different meta models from those used in Web 2.0. A similar education campaign occurred when Web1.0 gained popularity in the late 1990s.
The proponents of the World Wide Web have used a variety of educational methods in order to educate people, from simple metaphors (the information highway, browsers, web surfing to television broadcasts). Educational initiatives are vital to success since they educate Web2 users about these Web3 paradigms.
- Centralized Infrastructure
The ecosystem of Web3 is young and growing rapidly. Thus, it depends mostly on a centralized infrastructure (Twitter, Discord, GitHub, etc.). A lot of Web3 companies rush to fill these gaps, but creating high-quality and reliable infrastructure takes time.
What are the Differences Between the Decentralized Web and the Centralized Web?
By centralized web, we mean that a central authority maintains the data, and there is a lot of censorship. A decentralized web means less censorship as there are many ways to distribute information on the Internet and across multiple servers.
Communication can be faster in a centralized web because each network member is connected to a central authority. A decentralized web can potentially be very far apart, and messages can take quite a long time to traverse the network.
Actually, a centralized web is easier to implement and has better performance. A decentralized web is usually more difficult to implement and has lower performance, at least for now.
The central authority will resolve the situation in case of conflicting data on the centralized web. The protocol, which is often complex, will be required in a decentralized network if peers do not agree on the state of the data that participants must agree to. There is no central point of failure in a decentralized web. Even if several participants are attacked, the network can still function. The central authority can be brought into the centralized web, destroying the entire network.
What Is the Difference Between Web2 and Web3 Browsers?
Web2 and Web3 are similar technologies with the same backgrounds, but they approach problems differently. The fundamental difference is that Web 2.0 focuses on reading and writing content, while Web 3.0 focuses on creating content. The latter is much better as it uses technology in order to facilitate the exchange of information between web users while improving cyber security.
So, simply put, Web2’s goal is to connect people, whereas Web3 combines this data in a meaningful way with increased trust. This is due to decentralization. Other differences are listed below:
- Currency
Payments on Web2 are made in fiat money. During transactions, government-issued money like the US dollar is used. On the other hand, Web3 uses cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are encrypted digital currencies, to fund transactions.
- Content Ownership
With Web 2.0, the network is taking control of information storage, which raises access issues and concerns about the anonymity and security of online data. Web 3.0 solves this problem by allowing data to be exchanged in multiple places at the same time.
- Speed
Web2 transfers are faster than Web3 transfers. Web2 scans information stored in a fixed location, usually on a single server, using HTTP at unique web addresses. Web3, on the other hand, transfers ownership to many others (decentralization).
- Technology
The most common Web2 technologies include JavaScript and AJAX, HTML5, and CSS3. Machine learning, deep learning, the semantic web, and decentralized technologies are at the core of Web3.
- Application
Web2 includes blogs, podcasts, social bookmarking, RSS feeds as well as video sites. Web3 includes dApps based on artificial intelligence and machine learning, virtual worlds, and 3D portals.
The Future of Web3 Browsers
Web platforms have been deprived of the ability to transfer money, leading to online advertising and dishonest business practices. Since Web3 promises to organize the world’s information in a way that even Google’s search engine cannot achieve, it opens up web monetization opportunities for developers, content creators, and gamers. Web monetization offers an effective, free native, as well as automatic means of paying creators, funding necessary web infrastructure, and supporting API calls.
Furthermore, blockchain-friendly web browsers allow users to fully control their personal data, funds, and assets without intermediaries and cybersecurity risks. Therefore, the transition to a decentralized web requires new and innovative solutions in order to improve the user experience, so Web3 browsers act as a gateway for DApps.
While there are still many unexplored areas of Web3 and much research to be done, it is obvious that Web3 technologies are becoming a significant force in today’s web landscape. And Web3 browsers are expected to continue to offer different services to support the needs of blockchain users.
Conclusion
Web 3.0 rapidly evolves, with companies and technology experts experimenting with innovative products. The use of cryptocurrencies, decentralized applications, and Metaverse technology gives a constant impetus to the development of Web3.
The transition to Web3 browsers allows internet users to perceive the Internet as a liberal gateway for data consumption. Thus, Web3 is about decentralization as it revolves around the idea of an open-source internet and a creator.
