STEEM Blockchain Privacy

Security is one of the main stays of a Blockchain. In fact, without Security, Blockchain would have been like any other storage facility or app. But the fact that it has privacy features and security makes it to be the toast of many today.

This week's contest in crypto academy is about security and privacy features in steemit. The topic is STEEM Blockchain Privacy.

The contest tips will provide a guide as I explore the topic.

How does the STEEM blockchain incorporate privacy features for users, and what security measures are in place to protect sensitive data?

The Steem Blockchain is a block chain that prioritizes security and privacy of it's users data. Just like any other blockchain, it ensures that security and privacy is utmost by running security audit which makes sure that users private data and information are secured.

To further enhance its security features, it provides users with keys, which may be referred to as private keys. It is these keys that ensure that users wallet is accessed by only the owners who possess the private keys or those they make it accessible to.

These private keys owned by the users are

Private Posting keys

Private active key

Owners key

Memo key and

Master key.

These keys provide required security and privacy to users account.

Another way the Steem Blockchain ensures adequate security is by the use of a dedicated email and phone during creation of account. Thus by doing so, if there is any issue of hacking, such must have been inadvertently authorized by the owner of the steem account.

How have privacy mechanisms, such as private transactions or account privacy features, been implemented on the STEEM blockchain?

The Steem blockchain has employed the use of encrypted keys as a way of protecting transactions and accounts of its users. In the last question, I mentioned about the use of private keys that performs various functions.

The fact that it performs various functions helps to protect the account of its users.

Of major importance is the Master Key. Just as it's name implies, it is used for generating all the other keys. Thus even when a person has access to the other ones, the master key can be used to change them.

No wonder it is advised to save, store and keep it offline in case of any eventuality.

The owner and active key are used for accessing the wallets and some other dapps within the steemit ecosystems. This helps protect the account owners privacy.

The owner key can as well be used for account recovery in case of compromised keys. The owner key history is stored in the Blockchain for 30 days. Thus, in the event of account compromise, the account owner can still be able to recover his account but within 30 days of the last owner key change.

The Memo key can be used to send a message to another user which is encrypted and can only be decrypted and read by the recipient using his own Memo key.

All the above are privacy mechanisms put in place by the Steem block chain.

How are security protocols, such as data encryption and protection against potential attacks, strengthened on the STEEM blockchain?

The steem blockchain made necessary provisions to ensure that the blockchain is protected from fraudulent and phishing attacks.

Let us remember that the consensus algorithm it uses is Delegated Proof of Stake. Where 21 witnesses are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and effective working of the security mechanism within the block chain.

Each witness is to stake a whooping sum of Steem, about 27 million as requirement before being voted for. This also acts as a security against the witness if they ever misbehave or become accomplices in a fraudulent attack. They stand the chance of losing all their staked steem token. This acts as an inhibition towards any fraudulent disposition by the witnesses.

From the creation of a users account, he is warned to always keep his steem keys safe. Those keys are encrypted in nature and a third party cannot decipher it just by running codes in the system.

So the user have a role to play on ensuring security of the steem protocol by being careful in the links he or she clicks once logged in on the platform. Clicking the phishing is an easy way to let the fraudster in to take over our account.

Can you illustrate specific use cases where STEEM's privacy features have been particularly beneficial to users?

I have witnessed so many situations where the privacy features have been beneficial to users. There is always a pdf containing all the keys we need to make use of on the platform. We are expected to save them majorly offline.

The recovery process is another good one for steem security protocols. Just some weeks ago, a steemian, @talktofaith account was hacked, all the keys were changed and a power down was started.

With the help of the steem recovery process as shown in the picture above and with the guidance of @steemchiller and the steemit team, I was able to communicate with the user and the account was recovered after some weeks and gratefully, the fraudster could not even make withdrawal of the first power down that have dropped to liquid steem.

Is this not amazing? Definitely it is. All thanks to the steemit team.

However, let us all remember that such recovery process can work when it is within 30 days that the account was hacked.

I wish the steemit team looks into extending the number of days for the recovery after which it is not possible again. This is because the Blockchain only stores the owner key history for 30 days after the change

What do you think are the next steps to develop to strengthen privacy and security on the STEEM blockchain, and how can these improvements influence adoption of the platform?

Let us remember that Steem blockchain is an open source chain, so any developer can work on its base.

To further enhance the privacy of users account and security of the blockchain. It would be wise to add further security measures like we experienced when using some DEX and CEX platforms. They are;-

° Confirmation of login using codes sent to our phone numbers.

° Confirmation of login using codes sent automatically to our email addresses.

° The use of an Authenticator.

Each user can decide to choose one of the above to further restrict access to his account and strengthen its security.

Conclusion

Security is the in hands of each individual. While the Steem blockchain does it's best and works hard to ensure that blockchain is protected from the malicious acts of fraudsters, all of us have a major role to play in knowing how we handle our keys and who we give it to.

If we can carefully guard our keys, it may not be easy to get our accounts hacked.

I will like @steemdoctor1 @sahmie @yancar @bossj23 and @starchris to take part. here