Authentication

In decentralized networks, secure communication between nodes is essential. While nodes can freely call each other’s RPC methods, it’s often critical to ensure that these communications are authenticated — meaning every message is cryptographically signed and verified.

Authentication helps prevent a wide range of attacks and ensures that each message truly comes from a trusted peer.

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Why Authentication Matters

Without authentication, any node in the network could:

• Impersonate another node

• Falsify data or responses

• Launch large-scale spam or Sybil attacks

• Eavesdrop on or manipulate communication between other nodes

By requiring messages to be signed and verified, subnets can:

• Establish trust between nodes

• Prevent man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks

• Limit influence from Sybil identities

• Enforce staking, reputation, or voting systems

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Common Attack Vectors

🔐 Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack

A MITM attack occurs when an attacker intercepts or relays messages between two nodes without their knowledge. The attacker can read, alter, or inject messages — pretending to be the sender or receiver.

Authentication with digital signatures ensures that only the legitimate sender could have created the message, making MITM attacks ineffective.

🔐Sybil Attack

A Sybil attack is a type of security threat where an attacker creates multiple fake identities (also called "Sybils") to infiltrate a network and gain undue influence. This is done by having a single entity (like a computer or user account) control multiple fake identities, making it appear as if there are many distinct, legitimate users.