In my mind a full scale world war seems like the biggest threat.
Make it an atomic world war and Im in.
Topic: What is the greatest threat to Bitcoin? Some possible technical problem or gov? (Read 2790 times)
January 22, 2013, 07:59:38 PM
Make it an atomic world war and Im in.
January 18, 2013, 09:28:16 AM
In my mind a full scale world war seems like the biggest threat.
January 18, 2013, 09:15:00 AM
You can't really be into Bitcoin and Windows/Apple at the same time. You kind of have to pick one.
Well, once the hardware token is ready (see https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/eshop-launched-trezor-bitcoin-hardware-wallet-122438) you'll be able to use these (non-Linux, where you are not in full control) devices as well.
January 07, 2013, 09:24:43 AM
While I greatly appreciate the availability of such a weaknesses list, I feel that the risks are somewhat downplayed.
For example the 51% attack is listed as "probably not a problem", but I still think of it as a serious risk (maybe there are other much easier ways to attack the network, frankly I don't know much about the technical side). It is assumed that the attacker seeks profit within the bitcoin system, whereas I would expect this kind of attack from a system competing with bitcoin, which would avoid losing market share to bitcoin.
For example the 51% attack is listed as "probably not a problem", but I still think of it as a serious risk (maybe there are other much easier ways to attack the network, frankly I don't know much about the technical side). It is assumed that the attacker seeks profit within the bitcoin system, whereas I would expect this kind of attack from a system competing with bitcoin, which would avoid losing market share to bitcoin.
Risk factors are pretty much subjective. It is a wiki though, if you feel that way try editing it
January 07, 2013, 06:26:00 AM
Locked bootloaders and DRM. Example Apple IOS (iPod/iphone/iPad), Windows 8 RT on ARM with UEFI locked bootloaders, locked Android devices where the end users does not have root access etc. The security model of Bitcoin is based upon individual users having complete control over their computing devices in order to have a truly distributed network. Now if one turns over this control to a centralized authority in order to enforce DRM then this opens up the possibility for all sorts of 51% attacks by a centralized authority. For example the US Government instructing Microsoft, Apple and Google to use DRM to paralyse the Bitcoin network.
The best countermeasure is the GPL v3, and insist on root access for owner of the device. This means GNU/Linux and in mobile the new Ubuntu phone OS will be an excellent choice. I will go as far as to suggest using GNU/Linux over Microsoft Windows for Bitcoin mining and for running full Bitcoin nodes for this reason.
The best countermeasure is the GPL v3, and insist on root access for owner of the device. This means GNU/Linux and in mobile the new Ubuntu phone OS will be an excellent choice. I will go as far as to suggest using GNU/Linux over Microsoft Windows for Bitcoin mining and for running full Bitcoin nodes for this reason.
These are actually a very good points.
You can't really be into Bitcoin and Windows/Apple at the same time. You kind of have to pick one.
January 06, 2013, 09:20:04 PM
I'm sorry if I repeated the question. BUT I think you guys did not understand me very well. I said if we have a real *imminent* problem or not. Just that. 
Thanks for who reply nicely and ./. to who was rude.
Thanks for who reply nicely and ./. to who was rude.
January 06, 2013, 06:22:44 PM
Locked bootloaders and DRM. Example Apple IOS (iPod/iphone/iPad), Windows 8 RT on ARM with UEFI locked bootloaders, locked Android devices where the end users does not have root access etc. The security model of Bitcoin is based upon individual users having complete control over their computing devices in order to have a truly distributed network. Now if one turns over this control to a centralized authority in order to enforce DRM then this opens up the possibility for all sorts of 51% attacks by a centralized authority. For example the US Government instructing Microsoft, Apple and Google to use DRM to paralyse the Bitcoin network.
The best countermeasure is the GPL v3, and insist on root access for owner of the device. This means GNU/Linux and in mobile the new Ubuntu phone OS will be an excellent choice. I will go as far as to suggest using GNU/Linux over Microsoft Windows for Bitcoin mining and for running full Bitcoin nodes for this reason.
The best countermeasure is the GPL v3, and insist on root access for owner of the device. This means GNU/Linux and in mobile the new Ubuntu phone OS will be an excellent choice. I will go as far as to suggest using GNU/Linux over Microsoft Windows for Bitcoin mining and for running full Bitcoin nodes for this reason.
January 06, 2013, 05:58:10 PM
Idiots.
Idiots have always been and to this day remain the main threat to anything man made. Idiots infiltrating the US Gov't have pretty much doomed that enterprise, at one point the most successful thing on God's green Earth. Idiots infiltrating Bitcoin have nigh on brought it to its knees already.
Idiots have always been and to this day remain the main threat to anything man made. Idiots infiltrating the US Gov't have pretty much doomed that enterprise, at one point the most successful thing on God's green Earth. Idiots infiltrating Bitcoin have nigh on brought it to its knees already.
January 06, 2013, 02:44:38 PM
Idiots infiltrating the US Gov't have pretty much doomed that enterprise, at one point the most successful thing on God's green Earth.
What are you talking about? The US Government is at the peak of its success right now. The are collectively the most successful band of thieves the world has ever seen. 
January 06, 2013, 02:29:17 PM
Idiots.
Idiots have always been and to this day remain the main threat to anything man made. Idiots infiltrating the US Gov't have pretty much doomed that enterprise, at one point the most successful thing on God's green Earth. Idiots infiltrating Bitcoin have nigh on brought it to its knees already.
Idiots have always been and to this day remain the main threat to anything man made. Idiots infiltrating the US Gov't have pretty much doomed that enterprise, at one point the most successful thing on God's green Earth. Idiots infiltrating Bitcoin have nigh on brought it to its knees already.
+1 agree 100%
January 06, 2013, 09:24:20 AM
Idiots.
Idiots have always been and to this day remain the main threat to anything man made. Idiots infiltrating the US Gov't have pretty much doomed that enterprise, at one point the most successful thing on God's green Earth. Idiots infiltrating Bitcoin have nigh on brought it to its knees already.
Idiots have always been and to this day remain the main threat to anything man made. Idiots infiltrating the US Gov't have pretty much doomed that enterprise, at one point the most successful thing on God's green Earth. Idiots infiltrating Bitcoin have nigh on brought it to its knees already.
legendary
Activity: 1862
Merit: 1011
Reverse engineer from time to time
January 06, 2013, 04:47:48 AM
If is possible technical problem, what is this? I heard on Reddit and Facebook some worries about transfers/sec. Is it a real threat?
Thanks!
This questions is asked a million times per day, search the forums next time. Thanks!
January 06, 2013, 04:46:30 AM
If is possible technical problem, what is this? I heard on Reddit and Facebook some worries about transfers/sec. Is it a real threat?
These aren't in any particular order:
- http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Weaknesses
While I greatly appreciate the availability of such a weaknesses list, I feel that the risks are somewhat downplayed.
For example the 51% attack is listed as "probably not a problem", but I still think of it as a serious risk (maybe there are other much easier ways to attack the network, frankly I don't know much about the technical side). It is assumed that the attacker seeks profit within the bitcoin system, whereas I would expect this kind of attack from a system competing with bitcoin, which would avoid losing market share to bitcoin.
January 06, 2013, 02:08:32 AM
If is possible technical problem, what is this? I heard on Reddit and Facebook some worries about transfers/sec. Is it a real threat?
These aren't in any particular order:
- http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Weaknesses
January 06, 2013, 12:07:46 AM
Technically, the protocol is still in beta.
January 05, 2013, 11:47:51 PM
If is possible technical problem, what is this? I heard on Reddit and Facebook some worries about transfers/sec. Is it a real threat?
Thanks!
Thanks!
ya its a problem "they" know about and are working on.
there's all kinds of threats bitcoin needs to tackle, so ya... you need some balls to jump in this pound
January 05, 2013, 11:39:00 PM
If is possible technical problem, what is this? I heard on Reddit and Facebook some worries about transfers/sec. Is it a real threat?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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