Definition ∞ An unauthenticated setting describes an environment where participants do not verify each other’s identities through traditional means. In such a setting, entities interact without prior identity checks or trust establishment. Communication and actions proceed based on assumed anonymity or pseudonyms. This context is common in open, permissionless networks.
Context ∞ Blockchain networks frequently operate in an unauthenticated setting, where nodes interact without knowing each other’s real-world identities, a feature often discussed in news about privacy and censorship resistance. The design of consensus protocols in these environments must account for potential malicious behavior from unknown actors. This characteristic is a fundamental aspect of decentralized, permissionless digital asset systems.