Can you make your own version of the internet?

Building Your Own Little Internet: A Practical Exploration of Personal Network Independence

The dream of a completely independent internet, a personal digital archipelago free from the influence of Big Tech and global networks, is alluring. But is it achievable? The short answer is: not completely, at least not for the average person. However, the pursuit of greater control over your online experience is both valid and, to a significant degree, achievable.

Creating your own “internet” fundamentally means establishing your own internal network with its own rules and infrastructure. This is not about building a rival to Google or Amazon Web Services; instead, it’s about maximizing personal autonomy within the existing internet ecosystem. The crucial element is understanding that complete independence is a myth, at least for those lacking billions in investment and global infrastructure. You’ll always need a connection to the outside world – the “real” internet – for communication beyond your personal network.

The common misconception is that building your own internet necessitates creating an entire ISP from scratch. While theoretically possible (and incredibly expensive and complex), it’s not necessary for achieving greater personal control. A more practical approach focuses on a tiered system:

Tier 1: Your Personal Network: This is the core. It could be as simple as a home network with multiple devices connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This is where you exert the most control. You choose your router, define access rules (e.g., parental controls, firewall settings), and select your own internal DNS server for enhanced privacy. Consider using a VPN for added security when accessing external networks.

Tier 2: Controlled Access Points: This tier involves carefully selecting your external connection. Instead of relying solely on a large ISP, explore alternatives that offer greater transparency and privacy. This might involve using a smaller, locally-owned ISP known for its privacy policies, or leveraging a mesh network in a community-based effort. The goal is to reduce reliance on massive, centralized providers.

Tier 3: Data Management and Storage: This is where the concept of a “personal internet” truly shines. Instead of relying on cloud services controlled by large corporations, prioritize self-hosting. This could include running your own email server (using software like Postfix and Dovecot), a personal website (using a web server like Apache or Nginx), or a private cloud storage solution (using Nextcloud or ownCloud). This requires technical knowledge but dramatically enhances control over your personal data.

The Limitations:

• Bandwidth: Independent connections typically offer lower bandwidth than major ISPs. High-bandwidth activities like streaming 4K video might be challenging.
• Uptime: Maintaining personal servers requires technical expertise and carries the risk of downtime.
• Cost: While not prohibitively expensive, setting up and maintaining your own servers involves initial investment and ongoing expenses.
• External Dependencies: You will inevitably rely on external services for some functions, even with self-hosting. For instance, even if you self-host email, you’ll still need to rely on external DNS servers.

Conclusion:

While a truly independent internet, entirely disconnected from the global network, remains an unrealistic goal for most individuals, building a personal network with increased control over your data, security, and privacy is absolutely attainable. By strategically combining personal network management, selective external connections, and self-hosting solutions, you can create a significantly more autonomous and secure online environment – your own little corner of the internet, tailored to your needs and values. It requires effort and technical skills, but the rewards in terms of privacy and control are considerable.