FINANCEMonths to result

The Internet and Infrastructure Attacks Framework

Attacking Bitcoin through internet infrastructure

Problem it solves

poor financial decisions

Best for

Understanding Bitcoin security risks

Not ideal for

Beginners in Bitcoin

Overview

Why this framework exists

The internet and infrastructure attacks framework refers to the potential for attackers to compromise Bitcoin's security by exploiting vulnerabilities in the internet infrastructure used to run the network. This framework is important for understanding the risks and vulnerabilities of the Bitcoin network.

Core principles

3 total
  1. Internet and infrastructure attacks can be used to compromise Bitcoin's security
  2. The attack can be used to manipulate transactions and undermine the network's security
  3. The economic incentives of the network make it unlikely for an attacker to succeed

Steps

2 steps
  1. Compromising internet infrastructure
    An attacker must compromise the internet infrastructure used to run the network to launch an internet and infrastructure attacks attack
    Pro tipThe attacker must have significant resources to compromise the internet infrastructure
    WarningThe attack is unlikely to succeed due to the economic incentives of the network
  2. Manipulating transactions
    The attacker can use their control of the internet infrastructure to manipulate transactions and undermine the network's security
    Pro tipThe attacker must be careful not to alert the network's users to their actions
    WarningThe attack can be detected and prevented by the network's users

Checklist

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Examples

1 cases
Betcoin Dice attack

In 2012, Betcoin Dice was attacked using an internet and infrastructure attacks attack, resulting in the theft of $100,000 worth of bitcoins

OutcomeThe attack was successful, but it highlighted the risks of internet and infrastructure attacks and led to increased security measures

Common mistakes

2 traps
Underestimating the network's resilience
The network's users and developers can work together to prevent and detect internet and infrastructure attacks
Overestimating the attack's potential
The attack is unlikely to succeed due to the economic incentives of the network

Origin story

How this framework came to be

The concept of internet and infrastructure attacks has been discussed in the context of Bitcoin since its inception. As the network has grown and become more decentralized, the risk of such attacks has decreased, but it remains a theoretical possibility.

Source

Traced to primary
Source · BOOK
The Bitcoin Standard
Saifedean Ammous · 2018
Open source →

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