Vitalik Buterin Says Ethereum 2.0 Is “Right On Schedule”
As development on Ethereum 2.0 moves forward, many users have been wondering about the current state of the project. One recent concern has been the announcement of , a competing blockchain from ex-Ethereum developer Afri Schoedon. This has raised questions about whether vital team members are leaving Ethereum.
Fortunately, Vitalik Buterin, the of Ethereum, concerned users that the Ethereum team is “larger and broader than you think.” Buterin noted that teams such as Prysmatic Labs and Lighthouse Labs, both of which are developing clients for Ethereum 2.0, are working “right on schedule.”
Many other Ethereum 2.0 teams are working diligently as well, according to Buterin. “When you’re making a bet on the Ethereum ecosystem, it’s those silent armies you are betting on,” he says. Buterin also added that recent governance issues have not delayed the progress of Ethereum 2.0 “by a single day.”
It is still not clear exactly when Ethereum 2.0 will go live, although it is generally expected to be completed by 2021. Buterin has previously publicized a feature-complete of Ethereum 2.0, meaning that the upgrade is gradually getting closer. But strictly speaking, there is no need for Ethereum to rush development on version 2.0.
That said, a longer wait naturally means that Ethereum competitors will emerge. Schoedon is not the only one working on a competitor: Ethereum co-creator Vlad Zamfir has that he is building a rival blockchain with CasperLabs. Growing competition means that Ethereum 2.0 may eventually receive less fanfare than it might otherwise enjoy.
However, when it does arrive, Ethereum 2.0 will offer improved scalability via sharding and Plasma, as well as consensus via Casper. Although recent updates like have introduced minor new features, Ethereum 2.0 will be much more efficient and powerful than it is now—taking the platform beyond the limits of its current incarnation.
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A security expert says that rising cryptocurrency prices can lead to a surge in cryptojacking of people’s smart homes.
If there’s one thing that movies have educated us on, it’s that there’s always some form of unintended consequences when it comes to new technology. Usually this comes in the form of horrific doom as mankind is wiped out by killer robots or some terrible plague. Yet there are some unforeseen events that can occur as people begin to accept and embrace something that appears initially mundane, such as smart appliances in one’s home. One interesting possibility with some slightly sinister overtones is that a person’s via cryptojacking due to the exploding price in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Increased Tech Means Increased Vulnerability
Technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives, from smart phones to streaming movies at home. The normal person looks to harness the power of technology to make their life easier and more fulfilling, but others look to harness technology to put money in their pockets. While such an attitude isn’t a bad thing on the surface, the method that they use to do so can be. Case in point is people hijacking the tech of others to surreptitiously mine cryptocurrency.
The increasing value of cryptocurrency means that it can be very profitable to mine crypto, especially if you’re not paying for the equipment or power to do so. One common means that illicit miners use is to slip some code onto a website to harness the computers of those visiting the site. A popular choice is the Coin Hive malware that has been found on many sites, including that of the . Without any consent or knowledge, your computer could be tasked to mine for some crypto.
However, such mining hacks don’t end there. Your smart phone may be infected as well. 2017 saw a 34% surge in that featured code for mining cryptocurrencies. Even the insanely popular app was found to have been infected with a crypto mining hack. Now this illicit mining can even have an impact upon your home.
Home Sweet Home
The latest possible target, according to some security experts, for illicit crypto miners is your smart home. It seems that smart devices can be the target of cryptojacking, where your internet-connected appliances could be used to mine various virtual currencies. Such devices can include light bulbs, cameras, and even thermostats.
The director of advisory services for EMEA at cyber security firm IOActive, Neil Haskins, :
Any device that is ‘smart’ now has the three key ingredients to provide the cyber bad guy with everything they need – internet access, power and processing.
I can introduce my crypto-mineware via a compromised mobile phone and start to exploit the processing power of your home devices to mine bitcoin.
The results can be massively higher energy costs for the home owner. The really bad part is that they’re still on the hook for it as the power is being used. The insidious part is that such illicit crypto mining could go on for months without being detected. Who checks to see if their smart refrigerator is being used to mine Monero or some other cryptocurrency?
Haskins says that there are some ways to protect one’s home. He says that consumers should demand a security rating in addition to a smart appliance’s power efficiency. He also adds:
In the meantime, consider the entry point for most cyber bad guys. Generally, this is your desktop, laptop or mobile device. Therefore, ensure you have suitable security products running on these devices, make sure they are patched to the correct levels, and be conscious of the websites you are visiting. If you control the available entry points, you will go a long way to protecting your home.
The bad news is that some crook could cost you a higher energy bill while he makes bank off of your home through cryptojacking your smart devices. On the plus side, at least your smart home won’t be going berserk and trying to kill you like in a horror movie.
How possible is it for the average person to safeguard their smart home from illicit crypto miners? Are you worried about your home? Let us know in the comments below.
Images courtesy of Pixabay and Bitcoinist archives.
