🔧Technical Architecture

The Locust network is designed to leverage user-contributed bandwidth through a decentralized infrastructure. The core components of the system are as follows:

Bandwidth Providers (Users)

Locust users install a Chrome extension that allows their devices to contribute unused internet bandwidth to the network. This extension acts as the primary interface for managing participation and data scraping tasks. Users can easily enable or disable scraping and set limits on bandwidth usage directly from the extension.

Bandwidth providers are rewarded with Ethereum-based tokens proportional to their contribution, offering a seamless way to earn crypto while supporting the network.

Locust Chrome Extension

The Chrome extension is the gateway for users to interact with the Locust network. It performs several key functions:

• Data Scraping: The extension coordinates decentralized web scraping tasks, focusing on open data sources such as Wikipedia and similar publicly accessible platforms.

• Privacy Management: The extension ensures that only public data is accessed, with no private or sensitive information being exposed.

• Performance Optimization: Tasks are distributed intelligently to minimize impact on the user’s device and bandwidth usage.

Decentralized Dashboard (DApp)

Users can manage their participation and monitor their rewards via the Locust DApp dashboard. Accessible from any browser, the dashboard provides:

• Bandwidth Controls: Users can set limits on how much bandwidth they share.

• Task Management: The dashboard displays active scraping tasks and allows users to pause or prioritize specific types of scraping.

• Reward Tracking: Users can view real-time token earnings and manage payouts to their Ethereum wallets.

• Transparency: A log of scraping activities ensures users have full visibility into how their bandwidth is being utilized.

The DApp integrates directly with the blockchain, ensuring transparency and security for all transactions and activities.