With the continuous advancement of information technology, a growing number of works, including articles, paintings, and music, are being digitized. Digital content can be swiftly shared and disseminated via the Internet. However, it is also vulnerable to malicious plagiarism, which can seriously infringe upon the rights of creators and dampen their enthusiasm. To protect creators’ rights and interests, a sophisticated method is necessary to authenticate digital intellectual property rights. Traditional authentication methods rely on centralized, trustworthy organizations that are susceptible to single points of failure. Additionally, these methods are prone to network attacks that can lead to data loss, tampering, or leakage. Moreover, the circulation of copyright information often lacks transparency and traceability in traditional systems, which leads to information asymmetry and prevents creators from controlling the use and protection of their personal information during the authentication process. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized, tamper-proof, and traceable attributes, addresses these issues perfectly. In blockchain technology, each node is a peer, ensuring the symmetry of information. However, the transparent feature of blockchains can lead to the leakage of user privacy data. Therefore, this study designs and implements an Ethereum blockchain-based intellectual property authentication scheme with privacy protection. Firstly, we propose a method that combines elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) encryption with digital signatures to achieve selective encryption of user personal information. Subsequently, an authentication algorithm based on Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge (zk-SNARK) is adopted to complete the authentication of intellectual property ownership while encrypting personal privacy data. Finally, we adopt the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) to store large files, solving the problem of blockchain storage space limitations.
Open access
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
In this article, we present a cutting-edge private voting system that prioritizes anonymity, using Zero-knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology. Our solution utilizes a Solidity smart contract to manage secure voting on the blockchain. In our method, voters can anonymously submit their votes after successfully verifying their identities using ZKP. This process unfolds in three stages. Initially, voters authenticate their identities on their machines. Once verified, a proof of the successful authentication is generated. This proof, accompanied by the confidential vote, is then sent for verification by a smart contract verifier embedded in the system. The verifier evaluates the proof and proceeds only if the criteria are met. Votes that pass verification are securely stored. Our innovation represents a significant step forward in blockchain-based private voting, promising enhanced transparency, security, and privacy. By blending cryptographic methods with blockchain technology, we offer a strong and trustworthy approach that safeguards the integrity of each voter's input.
Internet Traffic Analysis and Secure E-voting
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
In a global context characterized by a pressing need to find a solution to the problem of digital copyright protection, buyer-seller watermarking protocols based on asymmetric fingerprinting and adopting a “buyer-friendly” approach have proven effective in addressing such a problem. They can ensure high levels of usability and security. However, they usually resort to trusted third parties (TTPs) to guarantee the protection process, and this is often perceived as a relevant drawback since TTPs may cause conspiracy or collusion problems, besides the fact that they are generally considered as some sort of “big brother”. This paper presents a buyer-seller watermarking protocol that can achieve the right compromise between usability and security without employing a TTP. The protocol is built around previous experiences conducted in the field of protocols based on the buyer-friendly approach. Its peculiarity consists of exploiting smart contracts executed within a blockchain to implement preset and immutable rules that run automatically under specific conditions without control from some kind of central authority. The result is a simple, usable, and secure watermarking protocol able to do without TTPs.
Open access
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
Given their usefulness for evading traceability in networks, it is not surprising that steganographic techniques continue in the modern era and have been looked at through the lens of modern threats and technologies. Among such threats include the linkage of contextual information (associated data) to de-anonymize traffic. Such detection would be fatal to steganographic goals. Cryptographic analyses have expanded to include associated data when analyzing confidentiality and authenticity in channel security; in this work we take a similar approach and extrapolate the security model for steganographic analysis to also account for contextual information. We introduce the security definition of Authenticated Stegotext with Associated Data (ASAD), which captures steganographic properties even when there is contextual information sent alongside the hidden data, and provide a concrete stego-embedding scheme, Authenticated SteGotex with Associated tRansaction Data (ASGARD). Our scheme leverages a blockchain-based channel medium for the transmission of hidden data, namely the Ethereum blockchain. We analyze ASGARD in the ASAD framework and present details on implementation and real-world security considerations.
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
In public blockchains, leaking secret keys can cause the permanent loss of crypto assets. It is imperative to understand the illicit activities on blockchains related to leaked keys. This paper presents the first measurement study that uncovers, quantifies, and characterizes the actual misuses of the leaked keys from top websites on the Internet to withdraw assets on Ethereum. By finding key-leaking web pages and joining them with transactions, the study reveals 7.29*10^6/0.59*10^6 USD worth of assets on Ethereum mainnet/Binance Smart Chain (BSC) are withdrawn from 1421/1514 leaked secret keys. Mitigations are proposed to avoid the financial loss caused by leaked keys.
Open access
User Authentication and Security Systems
Advanced Malware Detection Techniques
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
In a decentralized environment of blockchain, people usually select a random node to perform bookkeeping with the Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. To randomly select miners and validators and ensure fair distribution of rewards, the algorithm must incorporate a fair, unbiased random number source. Therefore, in many PoS consensus mechanisms, random numbers are a critical technology. PoS consensus faces the following problems in random number generation: Firstly, in the PoS system, if the number and order of the selected verification nodes are predicted by the attacker, the system will be vulnerable to attacks. Second, if the random number generation algorithm has loopholes or is cracked by an attacker, the attacker may use these loopholes to attack the network, resulting in the insecurity of the PoS system. To address the challenges above, this paper proposes a low-cost, light-weighted, true random number generator designed by a sensors that detects non-deterministic signals. The random numbers generated through this method passed the NIST-STS randomness test. The true random number generator is applied to the commit-reveal service in PoS consensus to randomly elect block producer. Using the random number generated can also enhance IoT security because Photoresistor sensors have applications in IoT systems for smart building. The random number generated by the IoT device can be used as the basis for randomness proof on the blockchain. And the cloud can also use the randomness for identity verification, secure event tracing, data integrity and tamper resistance.
Chaos-based Image/Signal Encryption
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
Traditional covert transmission (CT) approaches have been hindering CT application while blockchain technology offers new avenue. Current blockchain-based CT approaches require off-chain negotiation of critical information and often overlook the dynamic updating of session keys, which increases the risk of message and key leakage. Additionally, in some approaches the covert transactions exhibit obvious characteristics that can be easily detected by third-parties. Moreover, most approaches do not address the issue of decreased reliability of message transmission in blockchain attack scenarios. Bitcoin-and Ethereum-based approaches also have the issue of transaction linkability, which can be tackled by Monero-based approaches because of the privacy protection mechanisms in Monero. However, Monero-based CT has the problem of sender repudiation. In this paper, we propose a novel$M$onero-$B$ased CT approach (MBCT), which enables on-chain session key dynamically updating without off-chain negotiation. MBCT can assure confidentiality of on-chain session key, non-repudiation of transmission parties, reliability of message transmission under blockchain attack, unlinkability and obscurity of covert transactions. They are achieved by the three components in MBCT, namely, a sender authentication method, a dynamically on-chain session key updating method and a state feedback method. We implement MBCT in Monero-0.18.1.0 and the experiment results demonstrate its high embedding capacity of MBCT.
Mrs. K. Divya Kalyani, S. Aimen Fathima, Sowndarya Lakshmi, K.S. Hemanth · 5 authors
This paper introduces a novel Digitalized Voting System designed to address the shortcomings of current voting methods employed in India. With a focus on enhancing transparency and trust in the electoral process, the system aims to overcome challenges present in both traditional and digital voting systems, including instances of mishaps and injustice. Leveraging blockchain technology, the proposed system seeks to ensure fair elections and minimise occurrences of injustice. While electronic voting has been introduced as a solution to paper-based voting, it has encountered obstacles primarily related to security and privacy concerns. To address these issues, our framework emphasises the effectiveness of various components such as the polling process, hashing algorithms, contract and block creation, data accumulation, and result declaration.Utilising an adjustable blockchain method, the system aims to provide a robust solution to the security and data management challenges inherent in blockchain technology. By incorporating elements such as blockchain, hashing algorithms, block creation, OTP verification, and Ethereum, our approach endeavours to digitalize the voting process comprehensively. This paper contributes to the advancement of electoral integrity by presenting an improved manifestation of electronic voting, paving the way for more transparent and secure elections
Open access
Internet Traffic Analysis and Secure E-voting
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
S. V. Padmavathi Devi, Mr Alangaram S, Mrs Sangeetha D, S. Jeeva · 5 authors
The healthcare sector has witnessed a rapid digitization of patient records, leading to an exponential increase in the volume and sensitivity of healthcare data.However, ensuring the security and privacy of this data has emerged as a critical challenge due to the evolving landscape of cyber threats.To address this challenge, a novel approach that combines the scalability of cloud computing with the immutability and transparency of blockchain technology to achieve robust security for healthcare data.The proposed hybrid storage framework leverages the advantages of both cloud computing and blockchain to establish a secure and efficient data management system.In this framework, sensitive healthcare data is encrypted and stored on distributed cloud servers to ensure high availability and reliability.Additionally, a blockchain-based distributed ledger is employed to record access logs and maintain a tamper-proof audit trail of data transactions.The integration of blockchain technology enables transparent and accountable data sharing among authorized parties while preserving patient privacy and confidentiality.The results indicate that the hybrid storage model offers superior resilience against various security threats, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and tampering, thus ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of healthcare data.
Open access
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
User Authentication and Security Systems
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
The "Immutable Identity Validation System: A Blockchain and Soulbound Token Approach" paper introduces an innovative method for verifying digital identities. By combining blockchain technology and Soulbound Tokens (SBTs), it enhances security and privacy in identity verification processes. SBTs, designed as non-transferable and tamper-proof digital assets, play a crucial role in bolstering the security and reliability of the system. Their unique properties ensure that user privacy is prioritized while also facilitating swift verification through blockchain transparency. This approach addresses the growing demand for robust identity verification solutions, particularly in sectors like education and corporations, where fraud prevention and streamlined processes are critical. The methodology involves various steps, including SBT generation, blockchain integration, user control mechanisms, and stringent security measures. Both frontend and backend development, along with the integration of blockchain using tools like Ganache and decentralized data storage through IPFS, contribute to building a secure and user-friendly system. Thorough testing, documentation, and knowledge transfer are essential to ensuring the system's reliability, security, and compliance with legal standards. Ultimately, the goal is to establish a globally accepted framework for identity verification in today's interconnected digital landscape. Keywords:; privacy; security; Blockchain; Cryptography; Decentralization; Soul Bound Token (SBT), distributed ledger.
Open access
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Cryptography and Data Security
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
Mohamed El Amine Kheraifia, Abdelatif Sahraoui, Makhlouf Derdour
The video surveillance system is a key component of the technologies deployed in smart cities. It serves a variety of applications, including public safety, crime prevention, traffic management, and environmental monitoring. The data captured by these systems includes sensitive information related to privacy, crime and national security, requiring robust protection against data breaches to ensure confidentiality. In this paper, we introduce a video fingerprinting-based method that uses a timestamp and device number, intended to prevent and detect image manipulation or replacement of original images with copies during transmission and of receiving the monitored data. Additionally, we propose the use of a blockchain system with an immutable distributed ledger for traceability and auditing of authentication procedures.
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
Bitcoin uses the elliptic curve Secp256k1 for its security operations. This article analyzes and compares various elliptic curves to identify the most secure curve for implementation. Our comparison examines the resistance of these curves to several attacks: Brute force, Anomalous, Baby-step Giant-step, Pollard rho, Pohlig-Hellman, and field discriminant in complex multiplication. Our findings indicate that the curves Ed22519, Ed448-Goldilocks, and E-521 offer superior security compared to the other evaluated curves, thus providing clear guidance for their adoption in Bitcoin cryptography.
Chaos-based Image/Signal Encryption
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
Bitcoin is the most famous digital currency in terms of prevalence and market value, so one of the challenges we have is to protect bitcoin transfers. Bitcoin uses elliptic curves especially, the curve Secp265k1 in encrypting the transfer of bitcoin through people, in this article, we made a comparison of efficiency between a set of curves in order to choose the best curve to use in this process. In this article, we investigate some curves in twisted-Edward form such as Ed25519, Ed488-Goldilocks and E-521 are more efficacy than the other curves proposed by 10% for addition and 18% for multiplication. So the choose of the curves in this form give the Bitcoin more advantages in the process of efficiency.
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
Creating a blockchain, particularly a cryptocurrency, is a complex task that demands a profound understanding of the technical, economic, legal, and social challenges it faces. In this work, we seek to explore the various technical obstacles hindering the development and adoption of Blockchains. The article proposes a basic modeling approach to overcome these challenges and achieve a generic prototype for a new blockchain. We delve into specific challenges related to cryptocurrency creation, highlighting architecture choices, security strategies, and the benefits of a decentralized P2P approach. This research contributes to understanding decentralized systems and provides a practical guide for those aiming to build robust cryptocurrencies. This approach was experimented with using a cryptocurrency as an example. The results were conclusive, particularly in terms of its security, evolution, and consensus.
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
Digital currency and assets have been a recent trend now-a-day. Managing these assets needs protective environment and network. Hence, Krypt a web 3.0 based application is developed which is a cryptocurrency platform. The application enables us to manage our Ethereum transactions and their history is permanently stored in the blockchain. Further an NFT marketplace is implemented with Buy, Mint and Resell NFT features. This application lowers the risk of stealing the data and increases our control over the application. The front end is developed using ReactJS, Smart contracts from solidity programming to ensure that data are stored in a decentralized manner and enhance security and Metamask for wallet connectivity and IPFS storage.
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
FinTech, Crowdfunding, Digital Finance
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
The use of information technology to trade information, deliver services, and other things is becoming more and more commonplace in the era of technological advancement. Tendering is one such area where the public and private sectors collaborate. E-tendering is a procurement technique that uses the internet and digital technologies to automate and simplify the whole bidding or tendering process. This makes it easier for the bidders to browse through all of the open tenders and select one to proceed with. But it frequently results in a number of challenges that both bids and bidders must deal with. The system is inefficient because of scale and transparency problems brought on by its centralized architecture. Additionally, the system frequently shares information about tenders with other outside organizations, which compromises the confidentiality and integrity of the tenders. To manage these issues, a decentralized method is used in the deployment of the Blockchain e-tendering system. Consequently, the procurement procedures will have the opportunity to leverage the potential of blockchain technology to enhance security and transparency. This research aims to provide an electronic tendering system that is transparent, liquidate, and safe. It will manage tender allocation and use smart contracts to automate the underlying processes with the least amount of human interaction possible.
2 source records
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
Counterfeit products have become a significant problem for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), with the estimated value of counterfeit goods worldwide reaching trillions of dollars. However, SMBs often lack the resources and technical expertise to implement sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures. Towards this end, the work proposes a blockchain-based solution named as Fake Product Identification for Small and Medium Firms (FPISMF) using Hyperledger and AES encryption to enable SMBs to identify fake products and protect their brand reputation. The details of the products and the details of customers are encrypted using AES encryption and recorded on the blockchain. The application communicates with the blockchain network to validate the product and retrieve the details of the product. Chaincode is executed in a containerized environment, which provides isolation and security for the code and data being processed. An algorithm is also proposed to substitute the missing QR-code bits and data that helps reduce customer wait time. Experiments are conducted on synthesized data sets and results showing the effectiveness of the proposed FPISMF framework and reconciliation technique. It is observed from the results that though the time taken to replace a blurry bit is greatly reduced as compared to manual replacement of the product, there is an increase in this time when associated with encryption while extraction of the corresponding code from cloud database thereby achieving a time complexity of O(n), where ‘n’ is the number of scanned products. In addition, the AES SMB time complexity is approximately recoded as O(n/2) and the Cloud access and retrieval time is O(n) as compared to O(2n) in the existing work. This shows a significant improvement in the ability to replace missing bits and perform a secure analysis respectively.
Open access
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques
Kexian Liu, Jianfeng Guan, Su Yao, Lili Wang · 5 authors
The widespread adoption of intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) has sparked increased efforts to foster extensive data interaction and collaboration across diverse fields, leading to a trust crisis in cross-domain scenarios. Moreover, cross-domain collaboration increases the complexity of key management, especially in resource-constrained IoT environments where high computational costs are impractical. This situation poses risks of key leakage and inefficient key updates. This paper introduces DKGAuth, a blockchain-based method for distributed key generation and authentication tailored for resource-constrained cross-domain intelligent IoT systems. Initially, we propose a lightweight cross-domain authentication architecture based on blockchain to address the trust crisis effectively among different domains in the intelligent IoT. Secondly, building upon this architecture, we introduce a distributed key generation method that revolutionizes the key infrastructure to address key management concerns. Additionally, we design an algorithm to combine key factors, minimizing costs associated with both key generation and updates. Finally, we establish a simulation environment to assess the computational, storage, and read/write overheads of our approach. In the same configuration, compared to other solutions, the efficiency of key updates improves by 83% when updated 100 times.
User Authentication and Security Systems
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques