Covert communication via blockchain: Hiding patterns and communication patterns

IF 4.1 2区计算机科学 Q1 COMPUTER SCIENCE, HARDWARE & ARCHITECTURE

Computer Standards & Interfaces Pub Date : 2024-03-13 DOI:10.1016/j.csi.2024.103851

Tao Zhang , Qianhong Wu , Qin Wang , Tianxu Han , Bingyu Li , Yan Zhu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Blockchain technology has demonstrated promising potential for covert communication. Although a series of studies have investigated blockchain-based covert communication, systematic research on the information-hiding patterns and covert communication patterns built on the blockchain is absent. This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the related patterns. Based on intensive investigation, we abstract and propose a reference model for blockchain-based covert communication. We accordingly identify five types of covert communication patterns, each with different roles for covert senders and covert receivers, which enable one-to-one and one-to-many communication. Using Bitcoin as an example, we analyze the data distribution of covert channels within the block and transaction structure. Furthermore, we compare the hiding patterns and covert communication patterns and discuss the challenges and promising directions to achieve secure, robust, and cost-effective covert communication using blockchain. This work can provide valuable insights into the potential of blockchain technology for covert communication and lay the foundation for future research in this area.

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通过区块链进行隐蔽通信：隐藏模式和通信模式

区块链技术在隐蔽通信方面展现出了巨大的潜力。虽然已有一系列研究对基于区块链的隐蔽通信进行了调查，但对建立在区块链基础上的信息隐藏模式和隐蔽通信模式还缺乏系统的研究。本文旨在对相关模式进行全面分析。在深入研究的基础上，我们抽象并提出了基于区块链的隐蔽通信参考模型。据此，我们确定了五种隐蔽通信模式，每种模式的隐蔽发送方和隐蔽接收方都扮演着不同的角色，可以实现一对一和一对多的通信。以比特币为例，我们分析了隐蔽信道在区块和交易结构中的数据分布。此外，我们还比较了隐藏模式和隐蔽通信模式，并讨论了使用区块链实现安全、稳健和经济高效的隐蔽通信所面临的挑战和有前景的方向。这项工作可以为区块链技术在隐蔽通信方面的潜力提供有价值的见解，并为该领域未来的研究奠定基础。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Computer Standards & Interfaces 工程技术-计算机：软件工程

CiteScore

11.90

自引率

16.00%

发文量

审稿时长

6 months

期刊介绍： The quality of software, well-defined interfaces (hardware and software), the process of digitalisation, and accepted standards in these fields are essential for building and exploiting complex computing, communication, multimedia and measuring systems. Standards can simplify the design and construction of individual hardware and software components and help to ensure satisfactory interworking. Computer Standards & Interfaces is an international journal dealing specifically with these topics. The journal • Provides information about activities and progress on the definition of computer standards, software quality, interfaces and methods, at national, European and international levels • Publishes critical comments on standards and standards activities • Disseminates user''s experiences and case studies in the application and exploitation of established or emerging standards, interfaces and methods • Offers a forum for discussion on actual projects, standards, interfaces and methods by recognised experts • Stimulates relevant research by providing a specialised refereed medium.