Blockchains are often touted as the next best thing to happen to the world of technology. But, like any new and exciting innovation, it comes with its own set of security risks and issues. With all the money and power swirling around, it’s no wonder that hackers are constantly trying to find new ways to hack into your blockchain. But you can’t let them scare you!

In this blog post, we will discuss some of these issues and how to deal with them.

What Are Blockchain Security Issues?

Blockchain security issues are security issues that blockchain networks are exposed to or subject to. There can be many different ways in which blockchain technology is vulnerable. No matter the type of blockchain network you’re operating on, there needs to be a way for it to become secure and safe from outside threats.

There are many different types of security issues you need to be aware of when it comes to blockchain technology.

1. Routing attacks

Blockchain routing attacks disrupt the network. If successful, these attacks can be highly dangerous for your business. They can lead to things like data loss and disk corruption or even prevent legitimate messages from reaching their destination in a timely manner.

2. Transaction replay

This type of attack focuses on replaying previously valid transactions that have already been executed by one user against another user. For example, imagine you send someone $100 worth of cryptocurrency. This person decides to re-spend it on themselves – essentially taking your money without giving any in return. This is what we mean by transaction replay.

3. Man-in-the-Middle Attack

In the blockchain, a man-in-the-middle attack is where an attacker places themselves between the blockchain and its users. In this case, they are able to intercept any sensitive information on the blockchain network.

This can be especially problematic for your business if you’re storing things like passwords. These types of blockchain security issues can lead to data breaches and unauthorized access.

4. Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks are an issue since blockchain is a decentralized system, meaning there isn’t any central authority to validate the information being sent along. This means blockchain communications can be altered or corrupted without anyone knowing it happened.

Blockchain phishing attacks usually take the form of fake websites that look legitimate but are set up with malicious intent. For example, they might contain hidden malware or tracking tools that can pose a threat to your business

5. Smart contract vulnerabilities

A smart contract vulnerability is an issue because it’s impossible for users to determine the security level of their blockchain application before using it. This makes blockchain applications more like public online services which are almost always prone to different types of threats and attacks (i.e phishing, spamming, exploitation of vulnerabilities).

6. Transaction spam

Transaction spam is when blockchain network users are flooded with spam transactions so that they end up paying hefty transaction fees to process them. This can be done by sending thousands of transactions back-to-back, overloading the blockchain with useless information.

How To Deal With Blockchain Security Issues

The good news is that there are many different steps you can take to ensure your network remains safe from hackers. One of the best ways to prevent these attacks is by conducting a Blockchain Security Audit.

A blockchain security audit is an analysis that examines the blockchain platform and its features. It can identify potential risks before they become problems within your organization. Performing blockchain security audits is a critical step in identifying such problems and acting to prevent them before they become too serious.

How to conduct a blockchain security audit:

  1. Define a goal for the blockchain security audit: this is the first step that helps create an action plan
  2. Determine the blockchain platform’s features: identify all possible attack vectors (e.g., man-in-the-middle attacks, spoofing, double spending) and vulnerabilities for each feature (i.e blockchain smart contracts).
  3. Identify any existing or potential blockchain security issues: based on the blockchain platform’s features, you can then identify where any attack vectors or vulnerabilities might lie.
  4. Assess risks and take action to address them: blockchain security is all about risk management – imagine what could happen if these attacks were successful! Then determine which ones pose the biggest threat so that they can be addressed accordingly.

Final Thoughts

We all know that blockchain is an emerging technology. It’s also one of the most secure technologies in existence today, but it’s not infallible. There are many security issues to beware of when using blockchain. Conducting a successful audit can help you determine which ones matter the most for your business. With this information at hand, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about how to bolster your own company’s cybersecurity measures. This way they’re as strong as possible against any potential threats or vulnerabilities.

Taylor Gilbert is the admin and freelance writer at How About Tech since 2020. He primarily writes Tech articles, How-to guides and Entertainment as well.