Byzantine Attacks

Definition ∞ Byzantine attacks are malicious actions targeting distributed systems, including blockchains, where network participants may act in an arbitrary or deceptive manner. These attacks exploit the decentralized nature of these systems by having some nodes send conflicting information to different parts of the network. The objective is to disrupt consensus, corrupt data, or cause system failure. Overcoming Byzantine behavior is a fundamental challenge in designing robust decentralized protocols.
Context ∞ The discussion of Byzantine attacks is paramount when evaluating the security and resilience of blockchain networks, particularly those employing consensus mechanisms susceptible to such threats. News coverage often relates to theoretical vulnerabilities, simulated attack scenarios, or actual incidents where network integrity was compromised. Understanding these attack vectors is essential for assessing the trustworthiness and dependability of distributed ledger technologies and the digital assets they support.