Data Formation and Privacy Threat of Blockchain

doi:10.19678/j.issn.1000-3428.0065926

Abstract

Abstract:

The blockchain technology utilizes cryptography, consensus algorithms, incentive mechanism, Peer-to-Peer(P2P) network, distributed ledgers, smart contracts, and other key technologies.This enabled its application in a network environment without third-party authority and mutual distrust to realize distributed consistency, irreversibility, traceability, and other function characteristics for transaction records, and has constituted a new trusted, safe, and programmable network ecology.Simultaneously, the technologies and mechanisms underpinning blockchain realization have raised privacy concerns. Privacy is studied as a subset of personal data; thus, the blockchain data are divided into transaction data and block data. The blockchain data is deconstructed, the obtained information is associated to analyze the privacy information hidden in the data.To elaborate, the blockchain data structure is introduced from the perspective of the blockchain data transmission mode and data structure. Based on the analysis of the characteristics of blockchain data and by integrating factors such as understanding, measurement, and the privacy disclosure approach, a definition of blockchain privacy is provided. Blockchain privacy is analyzed in terms of identity, data, and network privacy. The challenges and research directions of blockchain privacy threats are highlighted by focusing on the analysis of privacy leakage risks brought about by network security, cryptographic security, cross-chain operations, and consensus algorithms.

Key words: blockchain, privacy threat, identity privacy, data privacy, network privacy

摘要：

区块链借助于密码学、共识算法、激励机制、点对点网络、分布式账本、智能合约等关键技术，在没有第三方权威机构参与的互不信任网络环境中，实现了对事务记录的分布式一致性、不可篡改性、可溯源性等功能特性，构成了一种崭新的可信、安全、可编程的网络生态。与此同时，支撑区块链自身功能实现的相关技术及机制也带来了隐私安全问题。将隐私作为个人数据的一个子集进行研究，从而将区块链数据划分为事务数据和区块数据等2种类型，并通过对区块链数据的解构以及对所得信息的关联，分析隐藏在数据中的隐私信息。从数据传输方式和数据结构方面介绍区块链数据构成；在分析区块链数据特点的基础上，综合对隐私的理解、度量、泄露途径等因素，给出区块链隐私的定义，并从身份隐私、数据隐私、网络隐私等方面进行分析；通过对网络安全、密码学安全、跨链操作、共识算法等方面带来的隐私泄露风险的分析，指出区块链隐私威胁存在的挑战和未来研究方向。

关键词: 区块链, 隐私威胁, 身份隐私, 数据隐私, 网络隐私

Qun WANG, Fujuan LI, Xueli NI, Lingling XIA, Guangjun LIANG. Data Formation and Privacy Threat of Blockchain[J]. Computer Engineering, 2023, 49(8): 1-12.

王群, 李馥娟, 倪雪莉, 夏玲玲, 梁广俊. 区块链数据形成与隐私威胁[J]. 计算机工程, 2023, 49(8): 1-12.

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References 57

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节点类型	主要功能	主要用途	隐私威胁程度
全节点	挖矿、路由、完整区块链数据、钱包	核心客户端	大
轻量级节点钱包	路由、部分区块链数据	交易	中
独立矿工	单一节点挖矿、路由、完整区块链数据	挖矿	大
轻量级矿工	矿池挖矿、区块头部数据	挖矿	小

节点类型	主要功能	主要用途	隐私威胁程度
全节点	挖矿、路由、完整区块链数据、钱包	核心客户端	大
轻量级节点钱包	路由、部分区块链数据	交易	中
独立矿工	单一节点挖矿、路由、完整区块链数据	挖矿	大
轻量级矿工	矿池挖矿、区块头部数据	挖矿	小

网络结构	主要优点	主要缺点	典型应用	适用场景
中心化网络	存在中心节点，利于用户管理	存在单点故障，隐私易泄露	Napster^[15]	私有链/联盟链
非结构化网络	无固定网络结构，利于隐私保护	节点发现效率低，大量广播消息占用带宽	Gnutella^[16]	比特币系统
结构化网络	节点地址高效管理，可精准定位节点位置	存在隐私泄露威胁	Chord^[17]、Pastry^[18]	以太坊
混合式网络	应用灵活，适用场景丰富，管理效率高	弱化了去中心功能，存在隐私泄露威胁	KaZaA^[19]	超级账本

网络结构	主要优点	主要缺点	典型应用	适用场景
中心化网络	存在中心节点，利于用户管理	存在单点故障，隐私易泄露	Napster^[15]	私有链/联盟链
非结构化网络	无固定网络结构，利于隐私保护	节点发现效率低，大量广播消息占用带宽	Gnutella^[16]	比特币系统
结构化网络	节点地址高效管理，可精准定位节点位置	存在隐私泄露威胁	Chord^[17]、Pastry^[18]	以太坊
混合式网络	应用灵活，适用场景丰富，管理效率高	弱化了去中心功能，存在隐私泄露威胁	KaZaA^[19]	超级账本

数据库名称	区块链系统	存储的数据类型
Berkeley DB^[26]	早期比特币系统	用户数据
LevelDB^[25]	比特币系统、以太坊、早期超级账本	用户数据
CouchDB^[27]	超级账本	用户数据
RethinkDB	BigchainDB^[28]	元数据
LevelDB/LevelUP	Storj^[29]	元数据

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