From Paul Gil,
Your Guide to Internet for Beginners.
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Special thanks to guest author, Joanna Gil, for this article.

A. MUTE uses 'virtual addresses' for each of its P2P users.

When you send messages or search or transfer files on the network, your requests inadvertently disclose your real IP address to many computers on that network. MUTE is coded differently. MUTE uses a virtual address for each node. "Virtual" means that Mute assigns a fake address to your machine that only has meaning to machines one jump away. Beyond that, particularly in the case of the source machines and any eavesdropping machines, your virtual address means nothing. And combined with the multi-piece/multi-path swarming of P2P, your real address can not be associated with the user sending you the file.

Your virtual MUTE address is generated randomly each time your machine starts up on the network. If you fear for your anonymity, you simply need to disconnect from MUTE networking periodically, and then sign back on moments later with a new virtual address.

MUTE files always take multiple "hops" between users.

Above and beyond virtual addressing, MUTE also avoids direct connections between uploading and downloading nodes. Your neighbor nodes know your IP address (and you know theirs) but they don’t know your virtual address. The nodes you are downloading from/uploading to know your virtual address but not your real IP address. That way no one can connect your virtual address to your real IP.

MUTE also protects the contents of each neighbor connection by using military-grade encryption. This means that all your MUTE communication is unreadable to whoever intercepts it.

Please remember: MUTE protects your privacy. MUTE does not guarantee your privacy.

More on MUTE File Sharing:

FAQ: "What is 'MUTE' P2P Networking?"

FAQ: "How Does MUTE Work, Exactly?"

FAQ: "How Does MUTE Protect My Privacy?"

Download MUTE: Download the MUTE install here.

Get started here: Instructions on installing MUTE networking software

Configuring your router for MUTE: Instructions on how to make your router at home allow MUTE file sharing.