Realistic Adversary Model

Definition ∞ A Realistic Adversary Model defines the capabilities, motivations, and strategies of potential attackers against a system, based on practical and observable threats. This model assumes that adversaries possess limited resources and act rationally to achieve their objectives, rather than having infinite power. It helps in designing security measures that are effective against probable attacks without over-engineering for improbable scenarios. The model informs robust security architecture.
Context ∞ In blockchain security, a realistic adversary model is crucial for designing resilient consensus mechanisms and smart contracts. Crypto news often references the types of attacks, such as 51% attacks or front-running, that protocols aim to defend against, reflecting this model. The ongoing research in cryptography and distributed systems continuously refines these models to better protect digital assets from evolving threats.