Can Web3 be hacked? Is the decentralized internet safer?

Web3 emerged as a blockchain-powered disruption to the current state of the internet. However, because Web3 is still in its early stages, discussions about its true capabilities and role in our daily lives are clouded by assumptions.

Given the promise of a decentralized internet powered by public blockchains, a full transition to Web3 would necessitate careful consideration of a number of factors. Security is one of the most important features, as tools and applications hosted on blockchains become more common in a Web3-powered world.

Smart contract vulnerabilities

While the blockchains that host Web3 applications remain impenetrable to attackers, hackers target the project's smart contracts for vulnerabilities. Smart contract attacks on decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms have increased, according to a recent study, with approximately $1.6 billion in cryptocurrencies stolen in the first quarter of 2022 alone.

Although DeFi is a subset of the Web3 spectrum, it represents the ecosystem's most serious vulnerability. As a result, Web3 entrepreneurs must redirect their marketing budget to the core system's development.

As we've seen throughout the year, vulnerabilities that allow hackers to drain vast amounts of assets result in short-term losses for investors and may lead to the collapse of related ecosystems.

Insider threats

Aside from external hacks, dishonest actors within the system may deceive the project and its investors. To avoid internal assaults, fail-safe procedures with limited employee access are required.

Velodrome Finance, a trading and liquidity automated market maker (AMM), recovered $350,000 from one of its team members, Gabagool, on August 14. $350,000 was stolen from one of Velodrome's high-value wallets. Following an internal inquiry, the attacker's identity was uncovered, allowing the company to retrieve the full plunder.

Fortifying Web3

Six months of bear market and many hacks have driven crypto investors to realign their investments with ecosystems that reflect safety. As a result, Web3 entrepreneurs must take precautions to secure the long-term viability of their goods.

Conducting bug bounty projects is one technique to reduce the dangers of an attack. Bug bounties attract whitehat hackers, who look for vulnerabilities from the perspective of a hacker. Developers are compensated financially for discovering and correcting valid bugs in the system.

Furthermore, entrepreneurs must use multisig wallets for keeping funds in order to avoid centralized control over the wallets. When such safeguards are deployed throughout the system, they indicate more decentralization and protection against coordinated attacks.

As a reminder, WikiBit is ready to help you search the qualifications and reputation of projects in a bid to protect you from hidden dangers in this risky industry!