Definition ∞ A consensus attack is a malicious action designed to disrupt or subvert the agreement mechanism of a blockchain network. Such attacks aim to manipulate the network’s state, often by creating conflicting transaction histories or preventing legitimate transactions from being confirmed. The success of a consensus attack typically hinges on gaining control over a significant portion of the network’s validating power, depending on the specific consensus protocol employed. These attacks pose a fundamental threat to the integrity and security of a distributed ledger.
Context ∞ The discussion surrounding consensus attacks is a persistent concern within the blockchain security community, particularly in relation to proof-of-work (PoW) and proof-of-stake (PoS) systems. News reports often scrutinize the hash rate distribution for PoW chains or the stake concentration for PoS networks as indicators of potential vulnerability. Research into novel attack vectors and the development of more robust consensus mechanisms are ongoing efforts to fortify blockchain networks against such threats.
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