Ethereum’s “hashes”: discovering the story behind Core/blocks.go

As one of the most adopted blockchain platforms, Ethereum has always been a pioneer in innovation and experimentation. Among its many characteristics and updates, the infamous “bad hashes” have attracted significant attention in recent times. In this article, we will deepen the story behind these mysterious blocks, exploring why they are considered “bad” and what is behind their unusual nature.

What are bad hashes?

In the Ethereum block chain, a block is typically created after a certain number of transactions (known as block height) has been confirmed by the miners. A block is marked as “good” if it meets specific criteria, including a minimum length of 64 bytes (the “block size limit”), a consistent sequence of hashes and a hash that can be calculated using the hash of the previous block . However, what happens when a miner creates a new block with an unexpected or malformed hash? That’s where the “bad hashes” enter.

The story behind the bad hashes

In May 2022, Ethereum experienced an important problem known as the “problem of bad blocks.” A substantial number of bad blocks in the block chain was discovered, which seemed to be created by malicious actors trying to manipulate the network. These bad blocks were characterized by their low block size (typically between 32 and 64 bytes), irregular hash patterns, and often contained malicious or contradictory information.

To understand why these blocks were considered “bad”, we must see what happens when a new block is created. Each block is generated according to the hash of the previous block, using a complex mathematical formula known as the work test algorithm (POW). The Pow mechanism requires a significant computational power and a energy expenditure of the miners.

When a miner creates a new block, you must ensure that it meets the criteria required to be considered “good.” If the block is created with an unexpected or malformed hash, the network will reject it due to its inconsistency. This is because the Pow algorithm is based on the hash of the previous block to validate the consistency and integrity of the new block.

Why are they so problematic?

The problem of bad blocks poses several concerns about Ethereum’s stability and security:

• Decentralization of the network : Bad blocks can lead to a loss of network confidence, since users can doubt or even abandon their wallets.

• Ethereum energy consumption

  

  : The Pow consensus algorithm requires significant computational power, which is an unsustainable and expensive resource for many users.

• Security vulnerabilities : Malicious actors can try to exploit this vulnerability creating bad blocks with malicious information or contradictory hashes.

The counterweight “good blocks”

To mitigate the problems caused by bad blocks, Ethereum introduced a mechanism known as “difficulty climbing.” This feature implies adjusting the reward of the block and the mining difficulty in response to the number of bad blocks. By increasing the level of difficulty, miners are encouraged to create safer and more consistent blocks, reducing the probability of bad blocks.

The introduction of the Pow difficulty scale has helped relieve some concerns about bad hash, but the problem remains a pressing concern about the sustainability and decentralization of Ethereum.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of “bad hash” in Ethereum serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the stability and safety of the network. The story behind these mysterious blocks highlights the intricate relationships between blockchain functionality, mining incentives and energy consumption. As Ethereum continues to innovate and adapting to the changing needs of users, it is essential to address these problems to guarantee the long -term health and viability of the ecosystem.