Keep your data chained. Blockchain keeps it safe!

Maciej Zieliński

18 Dec 2019
Keep your data chained. Blockchain keeps it safe!

Julia Wolińska

The top corporations agree about our predictions concerning the future. Every year we hear more and more promises about the Internet of Things, which is going to make us forget about all our issues... even if we did not know about their existence!

After leaving the work you are going to get into your car, which is going to bring you right to the address of your home. With only a single touch you can turn on the lights and check if the current contents of your fridge can satisfy your cravings. Just remember not to drink your coffee – your health monitoring app will make sure that you don’t succumb to unhealthy habits and it already knows your blood pressure should not be too high! It is just hard to believe that the internet alone can make your life so much more convenient

However, the moment you lay down on your comfy sofa, something else happens. During the synchronisation of data from your virtual debit card and your navigation app, you are not the only one gaining the info from them. Your actions are actively being watched by hackers. They are making sure that they know your address and the time you are leaving your house.

While it can really sound like a vision from some science fiction thriller, it’s entirely possible that the incoming technological revolution will lead to such circumstances. The question appears; would we surrender our privacy for an access to incredible convenience?

You could, however, also protecting your data. Then you would not have to expose yourself to potential data theft and use all of the miracles of technology without a single worry. How, you my ask? The answer lies in the block of chains.

Vulnerable data and its risks

Take a moment to consider how does the information flow within your family and friend groups. Well, naturally, it is usually done by verbal exchanges which usually letyou know about their customs, preferences and habits. During conversations, you and your friends gather data about each other, you learn about the music you listen to, what do you want to eat for dinner or if you are allergic to peanuts.

As it turns out, the domestic appliance or even car manufacturers wish to initiate the same dialogue with you - they want to get to know you as well as your friends and family do through the power of internet. They are aiming to adapt their appliances to improve your experience with them and they want to do that by gathering the necessary data about your everyday life.

However, the problem arises the moment we are talking about the vulnerable data. It is for example your address, information about your bank accounts or investments, your workplace or data about your customers, details about your health. This is the data that should not ever be revealed to any unwanted third parties but are often unfortunately under the attack from hackers.

It turns out that if your everyday use devices are connected to the internet, it is possible to hack not only your computer or your laptop but also your domestic appliances and car.

IoT nie jest bezpieczny bez blockchaina - ochrona danych

More often do the voices appear that the internet in its modern form is not a good foundation for the absolutely humongous network of the internet of things. That is why the research has begun to find a safer, more anonymous medium which would not be as vulnerable towards the attacks. The experts believe that no other technology than the one offered by the blockchain would suffice to pull this task off.

Blockchain - the way to keep the IoT safe

Blockchain was made viral during the time of the cryptocurrency boom in 2016. However, there is still a lot of people who find the concept quite enigmatic. It is often wrongly associated with the phenomenon of Bitcoins. After all, the usability of the blockchain goes far beyond the financial sector. We can briefly say that it is a kind of technology which is used to gather the data about our transactions on the internet safely and anonymously.

Blockchain is a database which is formed by the chain of the blocks connected to it, which it derives its name from. Each and every individual block is connected to next one. What’s important is that all the gathered and saved information are not stored onone server or on one device – they are scattered and encrypted and their anonymouscopies are held inside of multiple locations. Thanks to this method the risk of hacking or stealing such data is equal to zero.

The public registry can be presented as a giant piece of paper which holds every single data concerning your address, financial data or even health which was copied and sent to multiple locations around the world. Those pieces of paper are interconnected in a cryptographic way. They are constantly compared and “prescribed” on new datasheets. That means that the mathematic properties can assure that they cannot be removed, replaced or completely altered.

The mechanism does not only help us fight against the scams, but also allows us to learn about the external conditions such as the weather, which can be also verified by the use of the modern systems.

Chained data- how to keep it safe

According to the most recent report „IoT in Poland”, 47% of Poles are afraid that theirdata can be leaked and 33% of them are afraid of losing the control over their devices connected to the web. Will those anxieties be fixed by the blockchain? Perhaps this might be the foundation for the new network to which most of the modern devices will be connected to with the usage of IoT. Its almost impossible to hack the block of chains because of its complexity, while hacking the home WiFi only requires a moderate IT knowledge.

Currently, if we forget to turn off the sink, the only risk we create is potentially floodingour neighbours’ flat. However, if we forget about the safe usage of IoT devices, we are can potentially face much greater consequences like the risk of hacking the entirenetwork they are connected to. Without the blockchain we will be potentially risking not only the safety of our data, but also the data belonging to our clients. When will the ideal, safe and practical future unfold? No one can truly tell, but we must remain vigilant and teach the companies to slowly but steadily implement the blockchain technology.

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What is Account Abstraction?

Karolina

10 Nov 2023
What is Account Abstraction?

Account abstraction is a new way of thinking about how users interact with blockchains. Instead of using traditional externally owned accounts (EOAs), account abstraction allows users to create and manage their accounts using smart contracts. This has a number of potential benefits, including improved security, enhanced privacy, and increased flexibility.

What is account abstraction?

Account abstraction is a concept that, at its core, aims to simplify the user's interaction with blockchain networks. It is a transformative approach that seeks to mask the technicalities of blockchain operations from end-users. It is making transactions as straightforward as sending an email. Account Abstr. allows users to interact with the blockchain without worrying about the underlying technical details.

How does account abstraction differ from the traditional model?

In the traditional account model, each user has an EOA. EOAs are controlled by private keys, which must be kept secret in order to protect the user's funds. Acc. abstraction allows users to create and manage their accounts using smart contracts.

Historical Context

The journey towards acc. abstraction began with the first generation of blockchain technologies, characterized by their "one-size-fits-all" approach to account management. Bitcoin, for instance, introduced the concept of accounts and transactions in a form that was accessible to tech-savvy individuals but remained perplexing to the layperson. Ethereum expanded on this by introducing smart contracts, which opened the door to programmable transactions but did not alter the fundamental account structure. The idea of acc. abstraction has been discussed in the Ethereum community for several years as a part of various Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), particularly as a feature to be potentially implemented in Ethereum 2.0. It is a direct response to the need for a more versatile and user-centric design that can cater to a broader audience and spur the widespread adoption of blockchain technology.

The Technicalities of Account Abstraction

Account abstraction is not merely a theoretical construct but a technical innovation with specific mechanisms underpinning its operation. In essence, it alters the way transactions are initiated and executed within a blockchain network.

How Account Abstraction Works

Under traditional blockchain models, initiating a transaction involves an externally owned account (EOA) signing a transaction with a private key. This transaction is then broadcast to the network for validation and inclusion in the blockchain. Account abstraction, however, replaces this process with a more flexible one. Here, every account is a smart contract, and transactions are messages sent through these contracts. These smart contracts can encode complex rules for transaction validation, beyond what EOAs can do, such as multi-signature requirements or conditional transactions based on certain triggers.

The technical crux of account abstraction lies in the smart contract’s ability to define its own conditions for transaction execution. This means that user accounts can have unique security protocols or automated operations without the user needing to understand the underlying smart contract code.

Hey! Are you interested in the latest technologies in the blockchain area? be sure to read the article 'Top Zero-Knowledge Proof Projects to watch in 2023'

The Benefits of Account Abstraction

The implications of account abstraction are profound, offering a range of benefits that can enhance the blockchain experience for users and developers alike.

Improved User Experience

One of the most significant advantages of account abstraction is the improvement it brings to user experience. By abstracting away the complexities of key management and transaction rules, it presents a more intuitive interface for users.

Enhanced Security Features

Account abstraction also allows for the implementation of advanced security measures. Since each account can define its own logic, users can tailor their security settings to their specific needs. For instance, one might set up an account that requires additional verification for transactions exceeding a certain value or restricts withdrawals to certain addresses.

Future Implications

The future implications of account abstraction are vast. As the technology matures, it could become a standard feature of blockchain networks, potentially making the current distinction between user accounts and smart contracts obsolete. This could lead to a new wave of blockchain applications that are both powerful and accessible, bringing us closer to the vision of blockchain technology as a seamless part of everyday life.

Challenges and Considerations

Technical Limitations

One of the primary technical challenges of Acc. abstraction lies in its integration with existing blockchain protocols. Current networks are optimized for the EOA model, and introducing a new account structure necessitates significant changes to the core protocol. This includes modifications to the way transactions are propagated in the network, how gas fees are calculated, and how the state of the blockchain is managed. Ensuring that these changes do not compromise the network's performance or security requires careful planning and extensive testing.

Compatibility with Current Systems

Another consideration is the compatibility of account abstr. with the vast ecosystem of existing blockchain applications and services. Wallets, exchanges, and other services have been built around the traditional account model. Transitioning to an acc. abstraction model will require these services to update their infrastructure, which may be a complex and resource-intensive process. Furthermore, there is a need for standardization across the industry to ensure that different implementations of account abstr. can work seamlessly together.

Conclusion

Acc. abstraction represents a significant leap forward in the quest for a more user-friendly blockchain experience. By streamlining the transaction process and offering enhanced security features, acc abstraction has the potential to make blockchain technology more accessible to a broader audience. However, the path to widespread adoption is not without its obstacles. Technical challenges and compatibility issues must be carefully navigated to integrate it into the existing blockchain landscape.

Key Takeaways

How to Add Gnosis Chain to MetaMask: A Simple Tutorial

Karolina

03 Nov 2023
How to Add Gnosis Chain to MetaMask: A Simple Tutorial

As the cryptocurrency ecosystem expands, there is an increasing need for various blockchains with distinct capabilities. Gnosis Chain enters the scene, offering a selection of unique characteristics. By integrating Gnosis Chain with MetaMask, users can access a more comprehensive array of decentralized services. We will walk you through the steps to add Gnosis Chain to your MetaMask wallet in this tutorial.

Prerequisites

Setting up MetaMask

Before exploring the integration of Gnosis Chain, it is crucial to have MetaMask installed and operational:

  • Download and Install: If you have not done so already, visit the official website to download and install the MetaMask browser extension.
  • Setup Account: After completing the installation, create your account and make sure to remember the provided seed phrase. This phrase serves as your primary means for account recovery, so keep it secure.
  • Secure Your Account: Protecting your MetaMask account is of utmost importance. Use a robust password and never disclose your seed phrase to anyone.

Gnosis Chain

It is always helpful to have a basic understanding before incorporating any new blockchain into your wallet:

  • Gnosis Chain Overview: Gnosis Chain, a rising star in the blockchain world, brings a range of decentralized solutions to the table, such as prediction markets and decentralized trading platforms.
  • Benefits & Features: Among Gnosis Chain's main selling points are its accelerated transaction speeds and potentially lower fees when compared to congested networks.

Tutorial: How to Add Gnosis Chain to MetaMask

In the top right-hand corner of your browser, you'll find the wallet. If pinned, click on the MetaMask fox icon; if not, click the three dots in the top-right corner. The following screen will appear:

An option to expand the wallet to a new browser page is available by clicking "Expand view:"

This action will launch MetaMask in a new tab:

By clicking on the ‘Ethereum mainnet’ in the top left corner, you can add another network. Click ‘Add Network’

Choose option ‘Add a network manually’

Then, input the information below:

Network Name: Gnosis Chain formerly xDai

RPC URL: https://rpc.gnosischain.com

ChainID: 100

Symbol: XDAI

Block Explorer URL: https://gnosisscan.io

After saving the settings, Gnosis Chain will be added to your network.

The Benefits of Adding Gnosis Chain to MetaMask

With multiple blockchains becoming more common, integrating Gnosis Chain with MetaMask offers numerous advantages:

Expanded Capabilities: Accessing Gnosis Chain through MetaMask opens up a collection of exclusive applications and features inherent to this particular blockchain, which may include unique dapps or cutting-edge financial products.

Diversification: The crypto domain is extensive and constantly growing. By incorporating various chains like Gnosis into MetaMask, you broaden your potential investment opportunities and decentralized application experiences, ensuring no opportunities are missed.

Speed & Cost-Effectiveness: Network congestion and high gas fees on established platforms like Ethereum can discourage many users. Gnosis Chain's architecture has the potential to provide relief through quicker transaction times and more affordable fees.

In summary, as the possibilities within the crypto sphere continue to evolve, tools like MetaMask grant users access to this expanding world. By adding chains like Gnosis, users can stay ahead in this decentralized revolution.

Conclusion

By bridging platforms like Gnosis Chain with accessible tools like MetaMask, individuals not only amplify their engagement with decentralized applications but also fortify their position in this expansive realm. The integration of Gnosis Chain to MetaMask epitomizes the evolution of the crypto landscape – a testament to its ever-growing diversity and potential. As we continue to delve deeper into the decentralized future, tools and integrations like these will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping our digital experiences and opportunities. Whether you're seeking more efficient transactions, diverse dapp interactions, or simply a broader understanding of the crypto ecosystem, this guide's steps open doors to a new horizon. 

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