Running a node is generally safe. Mysterium has safeguards in place to protect node runners and reduce the risk of illegal traffic.
Verified traffic only
By default, MystNodes can be set to only accept verified traffic from our trusted B2B partners. These partners are vetted, bound by contracts, and must operate according to their local laws. If any abuse happens, they are the ones responsible.
What about public traffic?
Most traffic on the network is legal and legitimate. Many journalists, activists, and researchers use nodes to protect their privacy and bypass censorship.
If you enable public traffic, there is a higher risk of abuse since it is open to anyone. With that higher risk also comes higher earning potential.
Country-specific recommendations
We do not recommend enabling public traffic if you are in:
Canada
United States
United Kingdom
Italy
Australia
Germany
India
In other countries, laws are often more relaxed. Still, always check your local regulations before enabling public traffic.
Important notes
All connections through your node are encrypted, so you cannot see user traffic.
The network is not designed to support illegal activity.
You are always in control. You can choose whether to allow verified-only traffic or also enable public traffic.
👉 For advanced users, see our full guide to running an exit node.