Final answer:
Distributed version control refers to a system where the full history of a repository is mirrored on every user's computer, unlike in centralized systems. Systems like Git allow users to work offline, offer improved redundancy, and support more flexible collaboration. They enhance security by allowing anonymous exchanges of changes among users.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distributed version control systems are a class of version control software that fully mirrors the repository, including its full history, on every user's computer. This contrasts with centralized version control systems, where a single server keeps the full version history, and developers get only a working copy. Examples of distributed version control systems include Git, Mercurial, and Bazaar.
The main advantages of using a distributed version control system include the ability to work offline, since each user has a full copy of the project history, improved redundancy and backup, as well as enabling multiple workflows and greater flexibility in managing versions and collaborating on projects. Furthermore, such systems can facilitate a higher degree of anonymity and security since users can exchange changesets without needing a single reference repository.