A method, and associated system, for performing distributed computing. The method includes linking a user node to a communications network including a processor with a processing capacity, memory, and a browser for viewing documents provided over the network. The method includes operating the browser to request a document from a server linked to the network and then receiving a host document or host web page. The browser views the host document and loads a distributed application that requests work from the server. The user node receives work units from a distributed computing project associated with the distributed application. The distributed application is run by the processor using excess capacity to process the work unit to generate a result. The method determines if the browser is still viewing the host document and the processor is available. The browser may be replaced with a user application that provides distributed computing.