An Overview of Blockchain Applications and Attacks

Abstract

In recent decades, Information Technology has contributed fundamentally to the development of financial markets, reforming the way in which financial institutions interact with each other. However, the established practices and norms of this sector may face an all-out overhaul as remarkable innovations such as Blockchain are maturing. The essence of Blockchain is that it is a public, shared and carefully designed record that allows mutually unknown individuals and institutions to share data in a reliable ledger and carry out all kinds of transactions. This ground-breaking technology is developed from cryptography and peer-to-peer network technologies. It is nearly immune to the majority of today's digital threats. Besides financial institutions, Blockchain based solutions have made it into other industries such as real estate, health care, the media as well as Government bodies. This paper will explain how Blockchain works, what it really is, types, its applications and threats and will offer a few ideas for prospective expansion of this technology.