8.2 Security issues and countermeasures

8.2.1 Security Challenges

Distributed systems face different types of threats than centralized systems. The following are security challenges for distributed systems:

• Node attacks

  • Nodes may be attacked. If a node is compromised, platform functionality may be disrupted, and the blockchain may be compromised.

• Smart contract vulnerabilities

  • Smart contracts may be vulnerable if not properly written. If a smart contract is improperly created, an attacker may send invalid transactions and receive unauthorized payments.

• Blockchain attacks

  • Platforms supported by blockchain may be vulnerable to attacks on the blockchain. For example, they may be attacked by the majority of the blockchain.

• Platform attacks

  • The entire platform may be attacked. Attackers may use botnets for DDoS attacks or take advantage of vulnerabilities in the platform.

8.2.2 Security Solutions

The following security measures are necessary to ensure the security of distributed systems.

• Node decentralization

  • By decentralizing nodes, it is possible to prevent attackers from accessing a single node to destroy the system. If there are a large number of nodes, attackers need to attack many nodes, which increases the cost of an attack.

• Smart contract testing

  • Because smart contracts may contain bugs, appropriate testing is necessary. There are several types of smart contract testing:

    • Unit testing: Verifies the accuracy of individual smart contract functions or methods.

    • Integration testing: Verifies that smart contracts work correctly with other smart contracts and external services.

    • Load testing: Verifies that smart contracts operate correctly under heavy loads.

  • Performing these tests can improve the reliability of smart contracts.

• Encryption and signing

  • Encryption and signing are important for data confidentiality and authentication. In the platform, encryption and signing are used to protect data transmitted within the platform. Encryption converts data to a reversible state, maintaining the protected state until intentionally decrypted. Signing is used to prove that data has not been tampered with.

• Smart contract security

  • Smart contract security is one of the important issues in a distributed platform. If a smart contract has vulnerabilities, attackers can exploit the contract to take over the entire system. To maintain smart contract security, the platform recommends using the best practices for programmers. It is also recommended to perform smart contract security audits before developing contracts.

• Measures against DDoS attacks

  • Distributed platforms use distributed networks, but they are vulnerable to attacks such as DDoS attacks. By deploying a large number of nodes on the network and increasing the number of nodes operating on the network, the platform can increase its resistance to DDoS attacks. Also, using CDN can distribute node loads and prevent service interruptions caused by attackers.

• Operational Security

  • Distributed infrastructure functions according to node operations. Therefore, if a node is attacked, the entire system may be at risk. Operational security aims to ensure that nodes are operated safely. It is important to properly configure nodes, apply security patches, and perform regular monitoring. It is also recommended to have security inspections before nodes participate in distributed infrastructure.

These security measures will enhance the security of the distributed infrastructure provided by MeleeHub.