Subject: Re: Proposal to address Bitcoin malware [combined summary]



Individual post summaries: Click here to read the original discussion on the bitcoin-dev mailing list

Published on: 2015-02-04T01:03:53+00:00


Summary:

The conversation on the Bitcoin-development mailing list revolves around the security of Bitcoin transactions and the use of multisig authorization. The first email thread discusses the use of multisig wallets to protect against malware. It highlights the scenario where a compromised platform leads to a loss of integrity of the private key. To overcome this, the user can send the signed transaction to a third party for the second signature, but the problem arises when the compromised platform can impersonate the user and send the transaction to the third party. The solution proposed is to send the transaction to an independent platform for verification by the user before adding the second signature.The second email thread focuses on fixing a problem with R/S length upper bounds in Bitcoin's STRICTDER validation. One solution suggested is to make signatures with too-long R or S values non-standard. Another suggestion is to add this to BIP66's DERSIG. There is no opposition to the latter option, and it is preferred by Gregory Maxwell.In the third email thread, the discussion centers around multiple factor authentication and its limitations. The independence of control is emphasized as a key factor in analyzing the security of a multiple factor system. It is cautioned that increasing user complexity without increasing integrity or privacy can mislead users. The importance of verifying Bitcoin transactions before completion is also highlighted.The conversation also explores the use of TREZOR-like devices with BIP70 support and third-party cosigning services for secure multisig authorization. The recommendation is to use small hardware devices like TREZOR and third-party cosigning services to enhance security. It is suggested that a standard for passing partially signed transactions around may be beneficial in the future, allowing users to have more options and flexibility in securing their Bitcoin holdings.Overall, the discussion delves into various aspects of Bitcoin security, including the use of multisig wallets, fixing issues with signature validation, implementing multiple factor authentication, and exploring hardware devices and cosigning services for enhanced security. The conversation aims to improve the security of Bitcoin transactions and provide users with more secure options for managing their holdings.


Updated on: 2023-08-01T11:21:33.108198+00:00