Difference between Web 2 and Web 3

Introduction

To begin, what exactly is web 2 and web 3?

Web 2 is the internet we know today, that is currently controlled by the Big Guys like Youtube, Amazon, Netflix and Meta (Facebook) — they hold the information, the power and the profits. The invention of web 2 brought about lots of innovations in comparison to its predecessor i.e Web 1 which was read-only as it only enabled the broadcast of informations and it allowed users to just search and read it, interactivity and functionality was rather limited. Web 2 is less static and more dynamic, it’s content is more user generated with components like blogs, wikis and social media platforms.

Web 3 which is the future, a more intelligent, autonomous and open version of the internet. Computers will be able to interpret information in a more similar way to humans by using technologies like Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). It is a decentralised technology where there are no Big Guys who hold the power and information, it is more personalised and secure.

Core Differences Between Web 2 and Web 3

1. Ownership of information, data and digital assets: By making use of blockchain technology, Web3 aims to displace the Big Guys by making users own their datas completely. Currently (web 2), Big Guys like Facebook and Amazon store user data and personal information, mostly to improve their target marketing. Web 3 aims to solve that problem by making sure that users data is secured.
2. Secure peer-to-peer (P2P) network: Using a decentralized technology, Web3 gives users the ability to connect, transact and share data privately and without relying on a third party. With Web2 which requires a centalized server, every time you interact with the internet, copies of your data get sent to the data servers, and you no longer own it exclusively. P2P can be explained as a group of computers that are linked together with equal permissions and responsibilities for processing data — there is no centralized server.
3. Permissionless: Web 3 provides a system where there are no restrictions on who can be part of the network — neither users nor suppliers will require authorization from a governing body in order to participate as it is required for web 2. Services are available to everyone, and individuals can influence the networks based on the value they provide. You can be an investor, developer, or marketer and help the network succeed with your unique skills and output. You may even be rewarded by receiving a share of the total token supply.
4. Digital Identity In comparison to web2.0, users will have their own digital identity, and more control over privacy. With the development of Web3, Decentralized Digital Identity (DID) becomes a possibility. A DID is an address on the Internet that people can own and control directly. It can be used to find what’s known as a DID document, which in turn contains relevant information to enable use cases, such as login, data encryption and communication. Cryptographic proofs are used to allow others to prove control of these identifiers. Users control everything, and can decide when, with whom, and under what conditions their digital identity elements are revealed. DIDs can do for the Internet, what passports do for governments — they securely identify and provide authentification, only with more ownership and self-governance.
5. Censorship resistance Web2.0 is currently stored in centralized servers. These servers can be accessed, altered or removed by any party that gains control of the server, including corporations, governments, or hackers. These parties can also deny access to services on their own authority, which may not be legitimate. Blockchain-related technologies like IPFS and distributed hash tables can form a content system that is much more difficult to block and more difficult to take down.

Conclusion

There are also some cons with the new web 3 technology but let’s focus on the benefits over the web 2 and how it happens to also be a creative building block for the upcoming Metaverse. The web 3 can make for a better internet and we hope to see that in existence.

The Zuri Team ( https://zuri.team ) in partnership with Nestcoin ( https://nestcoin.com ) and Blockgames ( https://blockgames.gg ) teaches Web3 enthusiasts how to solve problems with blockchain technology